The Cold War - Book Report/Review Example

This resulted into a conflict known as Cold War in which both sides never attacked each other directly but fought proxy wars around the world. Many smaller Nations had to take sides for their survival therefore they were exploited. During the World War USSR was far more damaged than Western counterparts, therefore she pursued a policy to maintain her existence which resulted into a Cold War era from 1945 to 1989. This era is also considered an era of conflict between Capitalism and Socialism.

SYNOPSIS The Cold War; A New History (Gaddis) is a new book written by John Lewis Gaddis in 2006. He is an American writer who has written the book with young readers as the target audience in mind. The book is focused on telling the story of Cold War to students of Yale University USA in particular. The writer thinks that present day young generation comprising of university students cannot comprehend the fear and uncertainty of those living under Cold War era of mutually assured nuclear destruction concept.

The horror associated with nuclear capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles attacking USA and USSR gives sleepless nights to so many citizens of both the countries. The theory assures end of life on Earth even in case of a mistake. The book develops character of the Cold War from nuclear attack on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by USA. Even President Truman of USA who used the atomic bomb realizes the horror facing the world in decades to come. President of USSR shares the same views. To stop further use of nuclear arsenal President Truman sacks the famous General Douglas MacArthur during Korean War.

However despite restraint on use of nuclear weapons the conflict between Capitalism and Communism goes on. Initially North and South Korea are made battleground for proxy war by Soviet Union and USA. Later the war in Vietnam brings both Super Powers at the verge of War. Again the Cuban missile crisis casts shadow of a nuclear war over the world. Both sides continuously endeavor to make allies around the world and strengthen the relationships. USA struggles with relationships in Vietnam, South America, Africa and Germany etc.

USSR struggles in her relationships with China, Hungary and Afghanistan etc. In order to ensure mutual co-existence, foreign ministers of USA and USSR Henry Kissinger and Brezhnev chalk out a strategy of detente. Detente means a policy of cooperation, negotiation, resolution of differences and reduction of confrontation between both the super powers. Need for Detente is felt because America wants to get out of Vietnam War, Russia wants to ease economic relations with the West and China wants to get rid of isolation caused by the concept of Cultural Revolution.

The writer says that Detente is crafted by superpowers to manage the Cold War as suited to both sides. To end the Cold War first casualty has to be Detente. Those who take key steps to destroy Detente are called “The Actors” by the writer. These “actors” are President Reagan, Pop John Paul-II, USSR President Gorbachev, Prime minister of UK Margaret Thatcher and many more similar leaders. The story of end of Cold War and the USSR is written in cities where all this started like Helsinki and Poland.

USSR signs the Declaration of Human Rights in Helsinki in 1975 to end isolation; however it becomes the start of decline for Soviet Union. Ultimately USSR President Gorbachev happens to be the last leader of Soviet Union. As the USSR