Why read A Constructed Peace?

Book cover of A Constructed Peace: The Making of the European Settlement, 1945-1963

Book description

Aiming to unravel events leading to the Cold War, this book argues against the theory that it was a simple two-sided conflict between America and Russia. The author contends that the German question, especially in the nuclear field, was largely responsible, and a relatively stable peace took shape only when…

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Why read it?

1 author picked A Constructed Peace as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Paul C. Avey

Author

It’s hard to overstate just how influential Marc Trachtenberg’s A Constructed Peace, and really all of his writing, has been on my thinking. I constantly return to its pages and find fresh insights each time. I’m drawn in by the writing style, but the substance is even more impressive. The book—examining British, French, Soviet, West German, and U.S. policy—was what first opened my eyes to the centrality of Germany and debates on nuclear control in the origins and evolution of the Cold War. U.S. efforts to offset the Soviet challenge and reduce the U.S. continental commitment by reviving West Germany…

From Paul's list on nuclear weapons’ implications for politics.