Thomas Nichols – författare

At the dawn of the 21st century, it should be evident that the Cold War of 1945-1991 was but the first of its kind. Nichols urges the reader to consider previous resolutions before another such conflict arises. He asserts that the Cold War was essentially a clash of ideologies tempered by the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation. Victory for the West came quietly, without the final and utterly destructive war often envisioned.Undoubtedly, the end of the Cold War was a signal victory for the West, and for the United States in particular. Yet Nichols reminds that enemies of the ideals of democracy, capitalism, and liberty abound and will lash out against western states that hold true to them. When this occurs, it will be imperative for the West to remember key lessons taken from the Cold War. Nichols argues that conflicts driven by dissonant ideologies differ from wars fought over resources and territory, and must therefore be fought differently.

At the dawn of the 21st century, it should be evident that the Cold War of 1945-1991 was but the first of its kind. Nichols urges the reader to consider previous resolutions before another such conflict arises. He asserts that the Cold War was essentially a clash of ideologies tempered by the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation. Victory for the West came quietly, without the final and utterly destructive war often envisioned.Undoubtedly, the end of the Cold War was a signal victory for the West, and for the United States in particular. Yet Nichols reminds that enemies of the ideals of democracy, capitalism, and liberty abound and will lash out against western states that hold true to them. When this occurs, it will be imperative for the West to remember key lessons taken from the Cold War. Nichols argues that conflicts driven by dissonant ideologies differ from wars fought over resources and territory, and must therefore be fought differently.

This autobiographical history of America spans the forty years before the Civil War. America was a different country before the war, which seemed to take over the nation wholly, even after it was finished. It is difficult to imagine the time before the war without the shadow of war and civil unrest looming. When this book was first re-printed in 1937, the publisher wrote, “The vigorous, endlessly hopeful America before the Civil War is a constant challenge to our writers,” and so this book filled the gaps and gave an ideal image. Dr. Thomas Low Nichols was a medical student at Dartmouth, but dropped out to pursue journalism and literature, as well as women’s rights activism. When the war broke out in 1861, he went to England to focus on his work. He didn’t want to sully the image he had of his home country, and so, recorded everything he remembered as it was.