Encyclopedia of the Cold War

While it would be easy to fill dozens of volumes in a "Cold War Encylopedia," this one succeeds in a more difficult task. Thomas Arms manages to put almost 700 entries into one volume and still make it worth reading. Arms provides entries on laws, people, policies, and organizations that shaped the Cold War. Arms arranges all entries in the classic "inverted pyramid" style which allows the reader to review the most important information first. Arms also provides cross-references from one entry to another where applicable and a bibliography at the end of most entries. This is an important reference when conducting any research on a time period which is already becoming one of history's most widely debated and discussed issues. This one has it all, from the key players and events to some of the more minor and aomost forgotten ones. Comprehensive companion to have around when reading anything abou this period and its participants. Recommended.