Yvan Vanden Berghe

Fine introduction to the Cold War, contains some unorthodox interpretations, based on a very wide range of international literature. Translated into French, German and Czech... but no English-speaking editor wants to risk his career on it. Emphasis on long-term analysis, on "Realpolitik" and internal power mechanisms, special emphasis to the role of Gorbachev ( Kissinger and other American authors). Always keeps a global vision on the Cold War (considers evolutions on every continent). Additions in the 2008 edition by Rik Coolsaet (Ghent Univ.) and Doeke Bosscher (Groningen), concerning Belgian and European visions on the Cold War. Nevertheless, the main text of Van den Berghe remains the big asset of the book: he gives the reader a firm grip on the problematic (big bibliography) and always thinks in big lines.… (mehr)