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pscot

(21,037 posts)
Sun Nov 29, 2015, 04:17 PM Nov 2015

I'm reading up on The Cold War

If you lived through it, as I did, there's a lot you take for granted, but most moderns seem kind of vague on the subject. Mainly I'm doing it so my library doesn't remainder its collection for lack of interest.
Currently on loan:

Through the history of the Cold War : the correspondence of George F. Kennan and John Lukacs
by Kennan, George F. (George Frost)

The Cold War : a military history (maps, cartoons, op.eds etc.)

The Cold War by Hopkins, Michael F.

A world of trouble : the White House and the Middle East-- from the Cold War to the War on Terror
by Tyler, Patrick.

If you've read something particularly interesting on the subject, chime in.

3 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I'm reading up on The Cold War (Original Post) pscot Nov 2015 OP
A bit late with my response, but here is a suggestion Abe we need you Sep 2016 #1
I'll look for Talbot pscot Sep 2016 #2
Thanks for the Ambrose suggestion re: Eisenhower Abe we need you Sep 2016 #3

Abe we need you

(5 posts)
1. A bit late with my response, but here is a suggestion
Fri Sep 9, 2016, 03:40 PM
Sep 2016

The Devil's Chessboard by David Talbot
https://www.amazon.com/Devils-Chessboard-Dulles-Americas-Government/dp/0062276166

Some reviews:

“A Cold War villain of realpolitik whose successes and blunders were unrivaled. As framed by Talbot, Dulles’s extra-legal interventions, coups, slush funds, and ex-Nazi collaborations were as much pro-corporate as anti-Communist, more Cheneyish than Nixonian.... He’d fit right into our globalized, subcontracted, and hypersurveilled era.” (New York Magazine)

“Dulles is unmasked as the backstage manipulator of US policy (foreign and domestic) from the Cold War up to his skillful defense of the highly suspect Warren Commission report. Those who scoff at conspiracy theories might have a change of mind after reading this book.” (Boston Globe, Pick of the Week)

“A frightening biography of power, manipulation, and outright treason…The story of Allen Dulles and the power elite that ran Washington, D.C., following World War II is the stuff of spy fiction…All engaged American citizens should read this book and have their eyes opened.” (Kirkus, starred review)

pscot

(21,037 posts)
2. I'll look for Talbot
Fri Sep 9, 2016, 09:33 PM
Sep 2016

John Foster Dulles, Allen's brother, was Secretary of State under Eisenhower. He was kind of a loose cannon and Ike kept him on a short leash. At the time people believed he triggered the Hungarian uprising by half promising American support to dissident Eastern Europeans. Ambrose describes the relationship between Ike and Dulles is his 2 volume Eisenhower biography. He and Eisenhower had a personal relationship and he had access to all of Ike's papers plus extensive conversations. I think it's his best work.

Abe we need you

(5 posts)
3. Thanks for the Ambrose suggestion re: Eisenhower
Sat Sep 17, 2016, 11:43 PM
Sep 2016

I appreciate the recommendation regarding the Ike bio...

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