Marshall Darrow Shulman

This study of the early Cold War era is somewhat dated, as it first appeared in 1963; to a certain extent, more documentation has shown up since that time, shedding a bit more light on the topics presented. What I found interesting is that the author appears to state a thesis that the USSR was, in fact, not the monolithic, triumphant colossus of the American imagination of the 1946-1953 era, but had suffered a number of diplomatic reverses, owing to ham-fisted diplomacy and tactical errors. In fact, it seems to me that without the victory of Mao's China, the Russians would have had few successes until they matched the H-bomb. Rather interesting book, though dated as I say, and of primary interest to Cold War buffs.… (more)