The Great Cold War: A Journey Through the Hall of Mirrors

by Gordon Barrass

The Great Cold War is arguably the most fascinating account yet written about the Cold War―and a timely enunciation of the lessons we need to learn from the Cold War years if we are to be successful in tackling the potential confrontations of the 21st century. This is a riveting expose of modern history for the general reader, a "must read" for policy-makers, and an eye-opening overview for scholars and students. No other book conveys so vividly how each side interpreted the other's intentions, and what shaped their actions. In a richly informed and perceptive "insider's account", former British diplomat Gordon Barrass shows that while there were times when each side did understand the other's intentions, there were also times when they were wildly wrong―leading to the chilling revelation that the situation was far more serious than most people knew at the time―or imagine now. In looking back over that half-century of confrontation, Barrass poses three big Why did the Cold War start? Why did it last so long? And why did it end the way it did? To answer them, he traveled to Washington, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Warsaw, and Moscow to interview nearly 100 people, including top policymakers, strategists, military commanders, and key figures in the world of intelligence. Their narratives reveal what was going on behind the scenes, providing valuable insights into the mixture of insecurity, ignorance, and ambition that drove the rivalry between the two sides. Barrass concludes that bringing the Cold War to a peaceful end was a far greater challenge than just "being tough with the Soviets." In the end it depended on the Americans' "getting inside the mind" of the Soviets to gain the leverage needed to achieve their goal―and intelligence played a key role in that process.

Genres: History, World History, Politics, Nonfiction

496 pages, Hardcover

First published January 19, 2009

Reviews

[Spencer Willardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the Cold War from the perspective of a British Diplomat.

[Steve Heil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comprehensive. Well researched including numerous personal interviews. Well edited. The title says it all. Recommended!

[Jason Hebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good analysis of the events of the Cold War; it helped me to understand both side's point of view. My only problems were with how the book jumped too quickly between subjects at times and how the author would take a subject matter through a time period then go back with another subject rather than progressing chronologically with multiple subjects at the same time.

[Farhad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book quickly and confidently skims the surface of the players and events that were part of the Cold War between the Soviets/Eastern Bloc and the U.S./NATO.
No in depth discussion here but if you're a Cold War newbie like me it's a solid read.