BEGINNINGS OF THE COLD WAR

by Martin F. Herz ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 23, 1966

The principal problem with this book is that it is not a book at all, but an article padded to book length. Mr. Herz, a foreign service officer, has Undertaken a summation of U.S.-British-Soviet diplomacy in the closing months of WW II in Europe. It focusses upon the resolution of the Polish question-- i.e. the territorial limits and composition of the government of postwar Poland. There is also a chapter on the attempt by the Great Powers to establish spheres of influence throughout Eastern and Southern Europe and a chapter concerning the divergent attitudes of the Great Powers toward the problems of Soviet postwar economic restoration. The thrust of his argument is that the Cold War began when the U.S. permitted the division of Europe in accordance with the then existing military relationships, while failing to exert its superior economic power. The book shows evidence of extensive investigation of the existing sources and its central portion would have made a fine contribution to Foreign Affairs. But, either the author or the editors have unfortunately chosen to tack on a random assortment of additional materials. Copiously footnoted.

Pub Date: March 23, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Indiana Univ. Press

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1966

Categories: NONFICTION