Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Metternich, Bismarck, and the Myth of the Nineteenth-Century "Long Peace" Chapter 2 The Myth of the Versailles Treaty and the Origins of World War II Chapter 3 Munich: The Iron Law of Diplomacy Chapter 4 The Real Meaning of Yalta Chapter 5 U.S. Containment Policy and the Second "Long Peace" Chapter 6 Reagan, Star Wars, and the Fall of Communism Chapter 7 The Containment Myths and U.S. Foreign Policy in the Twenty-first Century

About the Author

Sheldon Anderson is associate professor of history at Miami University.

Reviews

It is a balanced analysis that puts U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War in perspective. Most useful to students and scholars interested in U.S. foreign policy, and for philosophical discussions that focus on how history can be used to guide policy makers in the 21st century. Recommended.
*CHOICE, November 2008*

This important book demonstrates how politicians and diplomats in the post Second World War era used and abused historical analogies?about the Munich and Yalta conferences, the Vietnam War, and President Reagan's arms build up?to promote cold war policiesthat did more to spur conflict than to advance a constructive containment policy. Current and future policymakers would be well served to read this incisive work about the so-called 'lessons of history' so that they might avoid condemning their nation and fellow citizens to perpetual conflicts that serve no vital national interests.
*Arnold A. Offner, Cornelia F. Hugel Professor of History, Lafayette College*

This important book demonstrates how politicians and diplomats in the post Second World War era used and abused historical analogies—about the Munich and Yalta conferences, the Vietnam War, and President Reagan's arms build up—to promote cold war policies that did more to spur conflict than to advance a constructive containment policy.

"Current and future policymakers would be well served to read this incisive work about the so-called 'lessons of history' so that they might avoid condemning their nation and fellow citizens to perpetual conflicts that serve no vital national interests."
*Arnold A. Offner, Cornelia F. Hugel Professor of History, Lafayette College*