This textbook provides a dynamic and concise overview of the Cold War. Offering balanced coverage of the whole era it takes a firmly global approach showing how at various times the focus of EastWest rivalry shifted to new and surprising venues from Laos to Katanga from Nicaragua to Angola. Throughout Jenkins emphasises intelligence technology and religion as well as highlighting themes that are relevant to the present day. A rich array of popular culture examples is used to demonstrate how the crisis was understood and perceived by mainstream audiences across the world and the book includes three snapshot chapters which offer an overview of the state of play at pivotal moments in the conflict 1946 1968 and 1980 in order to illuminate the interrelationship between apparently discrete situations.ampnbspThis is an essential introduction for students studying Cold War twentieth century or Global history.