This book, published to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Communism in Europe, is a graphic account of this long-running global drama, which encompassed moments of high tension, such as the Berlin Crisis of 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962 and the nuclear alerts of 1973 and 1983. At several times the world stood on the brink of nuclear Armageddon, but these dangerous moments all ended with both sides drawing back, until the long confrontation ended peacefully. Written by a leading American defense analyst, Dr Norman Friedman, "The Cold War Experience" contains 15 facsimile items of memorabilia integrated into the pages of the book. The reader can re-live this momentous period of history by examining maps, diaries, letters and other items which, up till now, have remained filed or exhibited in the Imperial War Museum and other museum collections in Northern Europe and America. Memorabilia to include: 1963 nuclear attack protective booklet produced for homeowners by the British government; official pack for US troops passing through Checkpoint Charlie, with practical advice on visiting Communist-controlled East Berlin.