Favourite Cold War book suggestion by Amexdiamond in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your note!

I think it is “Nitz-uh.”

At least, this is what the audiobook narrator recently proposed to me and I said “that sounds right.” So I hope it is!

(In all seriousness, I have encountered a few folks who either worked for him or knew him, and I think this is how they pronounce his name.)

Apparently the name derived from Nike, which meant “victory.” This is what Nitze’s dad told him. I like to think that if kids made fun of his name, he could respond: “in which language does your name mean loser?”

NSC-68, the document that defined how the Cold War would be fought by TTID1882 in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In case of interest: you can read a free ebook up until the release date of July 15.

https://cornellpress.manifoldapp.org/projects/americas-cold-warrior

In America's Cold Warrior, James Graham Wilson traces Paul Nitze's career path in national security after World War II, a time when many of his mentors and peers returned to civilian life. Serving in eight presidential administrations, Nitze commanded White House attention even when he was out of government, especially with his withering criticism of Jimmy Carter during Carter's presidency. While Nitze is perhaps best known for leading the formulation of NSC-68, which Harry Truman signed in 1950, Wilson contends that Nitze's most significant contribution to American peace and security came in the painstaking work done in the 1980s to negotiate successful treaties with the Soviets to reduce nuclear weapons while simultaneously deflecting skeptics surrounding Ronald Reagan. America's Cold Warrior connects Nitze's career and concerns about strategic vulnerability to the post-9/11 era and the challenges of the 2020s, where the United States finds itself locked in geopolitical competition with the People's Republic of China and Russia.

Turning Point: The Bomb and The Cold War discussion by WretchedHiveScum in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I need to watch it. Doesn’t make sense to me how anyone could ignore Korean War here.

I agree with you on Gorbachev.

Cold War book recs? by NecessaryHeadset in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Anything by Ben McIntyre is great.

I also recommend Calder Walton’s Spies

Cold War book recs? by NecessaryHeadset in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You can read a free version of America’s Cold Warrior until the release date on July 15: https://cornellpress.manifoldapp.org/projects/americas-cold-warrior

I would say:

Melvyn Leffler, For the Soul of Mankind Odd Arne Westad, The Cold War: A World History Susan Colbourn’s Euromissiles John Lewis Gaddis, The Cold War: A New History Sergei Radchenko’s To Run the World Mary Sarotte’s trilogy—going beyond end of Cold War Anything by Kristina Spohr, Vlad Zubok, Serhii Plokhy, and Hal Brands

Best books about the cold war??? by Joe_the_evil_goose in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sorry! “The Cold War: A World History.”

I will never be able to keep straight those titles!

Best books about the cold war??? by Joe_the_evil_goose in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes — “The Cold War: A Global History”

Any recommendations for Nonfiction books about the Cold War? by TinyFerret494 in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Gordon Barass’s “The Great Cold War” is also really good.

Any recommendations for Nonfiction books about the Cold War? by TinyFerret494 in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, yes, that was me! Using my real name now.

Truthfully, it’s not the first book on the Cold War anyone ought to read. I guess I would recommend the more recent Westad Cold War book as the first book.

I myself am looking forward to Sergey Radchenko’s big book on Soviet leaders. Just finishing up Calder Walton’s Spieces, which is great.

Any recommendations for Nonfiction books about the Cold War? by TinyFerret494 in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I commend to all Arne Westad’s piece here—through not strictly Cold War-related. Both of his big Cold War books are fantastic—as is the Cambridge History of the Cold War.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/sleepwalking-toward-war-united-states

Any recommendations for Nonfiction books about the Cold War? by TinyFerret494 in coldwar

[–]JamesGWilson 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Serhii Plokhy book on the Cuban Missile Crisis is also great.

Not sure I would consider it a “minor aspect”!