'...the information is concise, unapologetically straightforward, and carefully cross-referenced to a select but balanced bibliography.' - Sunday Times In this study of the cold war between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union, 1945-1963, Michael Dockrill provides a concise account of this period, taking into consideration the major political, diplomatic, military and strategic factors. He explores the origin and meaning of the term Cold War and analyses the literature on the period for the student approaching this subject for the first time.