Origins of the Cold War, 1941-1949 - Martin McCauley

Origins of the Cold War 1941-1949 covers the formative years of the momentous struggle which developed between two superpowers, the Soviet Union and the United States. It not only involved these titans but also the rest of the globe; many proxy wars were fought much to the detriment of the developing world. In a clear, concise manner, this book explains how the Cold War originated and developed between 1941 and 1949.

The fourth edition is revised, updated and expanded to include new material on topics such as the culture wars and Stalin's view of Marxism. The introduction looks at the various approaches which have been adopted to analyse the Cold War and the challenges to arrive at a theory which can explain it. The book explores questions such as:

- Who was responsible for the Cold War?

- Was it inevitable or could it have been avoided?

- Was Stalin genuinely interested in a post-war agreement?

Illustrated with maps and figures and containing a chronology and who's who of key individuals, Origins of the Cold War 1941-1949 incorporates the most recent scholarship, theories and information to provide students with an invaluable introduction to a fascinating period that shaped today's world.

Martin McCauley is a prolific author and broadcaster who has a wealth of experience in Soviet, Russian and international affairs. He was at the University of London for over 30 years, and his recent publications include Russia, America and the Cold War,2^ndedition (2008), Stalin and Stalinism, 3^rd edition (2008) and The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union (2007).

"Martin McCauley deliversthe masterful review of the origins of the Cold War you would expect from such a fine historian. For students with or without a previous knowledge of the international history of these tumultuous years this is a very suitable text and the inclusion of documents is a reflection of how history of this period should be taught. This is a very nicely framed piece of scholarship."

Martin Thornton, University of Leeds, UK

"Martin McCauley's Origins of the Cold War, 1941-1949is an excellent choice for those embarking on study of this complex period of international history. The inclusion of an excellent selection of source material and useful introductions to key concepts and characters make this an excellent book for those new to this topic. Its contents should spark stimulating seminar discussions, and would be of great use to those taking A-Levels on modern history, and introductory undergraduate courses on the Cold War."

Mark Hurst, University of Kent, UK