Retitled from Nations in Darkness, this classic continues its exploration of the relationship triangle of three China, Russia, and the United States. Stoessinger frames the dynamics of these constantly-evolving linkages in terms of how each perceives the others. This edition significantly reworks material on the former Soviet Union. Stoessinger chronicles the undoing of the Soviet Union and relates its ongoing efforts at the establishing of a true democracy while also reexamining China's "Old Guard" and speculating on the emergence of new forces and new directions there.
This is the book in print and it's good. But if you want to give a book to a friend (or son or daughter) that they won't put down- buy the 223 pg paperback from the 1975-era.
It was amazing for me when I first read it and I've handed it to several young people who all appreciated it. I don't think this latest tome would get the same reception, though it's more up-to-date historically.
Two
read Stoessinger's book for an International Relations course at college. Though Sotessinger was less "wordy" than other authors, he certainly packed this book full of information. Though under 400 pages, this book contained more information, anecdotes, and facts than the rest of my texts combined. In fact, my only criticism of this book is that it is easy to get bogged down in the details. However, I would recommend this strongly to anyone interested in, or studying, US relations with China and Russia.