David S. Painter is Professor of History at Georgetown University

'Painter presents a very good analysis of the end of the Cold War.' - Journal of Contemporary History'The Cold War is a very good combination of a comprehensive yet remarkably succinct account of the origins, development and conclusion of the Cold War that will serve as an excellent introductory text ... while providing a very handy overview for any interested reader.' - Slavonic and East European Review 80, 2002

• 1 Introduction, 2 The Cold War begins, 1945–50, 3 Competition and coexistence, 1950–62, 4 From Cold War to détente, 1963–73, 5 From détente to confrontation, 1973–80, 6 The rise and fall of the second Cold War, 1981–91, 7 Understanding the Cold War

David S. Painter is Professor of History at Georgetown University

'Painter presents a very good analysis of the end of the Cold War.' - Journal of Contemporary History'The Cold War is a very good combination of a comprehensive yet remarkably succinct account of the origins, development and conclusion of the Cold War that will serve as an excellent introductory text ... while providing a very handy overview for any interested reader.' - Slavonic and East European Review 80, 2002

• 1 Introduction, 2 The Cold War begins, 1945–50, 3 Competition and coexistence, 1950–62, 4 From Cold War to détente, 1963–73, 5 From détente to confrontation, 1973–80, 6 The rise and fall of the second Cold War, 1981–91, 7 Understanding the Cold War