Originally published in 1995. In the early 1970s, largely as a result of the debilitating struggle in Vietnam, the United States began to reassess and redefine its basic approach to East-West relations. At the same time, the Soviet Union was awakening to the liabilities that a continuing and unregulated state of hostility would impose on its own internal and external agenda. Keith Nelson details the circumstances and traces the steps that led to the first significant accommodation and easing of tension between the superpowers during the Cold War.

"In this important study, Keith Nelson explains the detente period in an imaginative, convincing, and impressively scholarly manner. Although there have been scores of books and memoirs on the subject, none have done the job quite like Nelson's. In particular, he has used post-glasnost Russian memoirs and monographs-and, especially, his own interviews with such key players as Dobrynin and Arbatov-to present one of the most intelligent Kremlinological studies I have ever seen." -Melvin Small, Wayne State University

About the Author

Keith L. Nelson is a professor emeritus of history at the University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on US-Europe relations in the twentieth century.

Reviews
The Johns Hopkins Press has published another thought-provoking and well-written book that encourages international relations specialists to rethink key assumptions about the cold war . . . The study invites both more reflection and research. It is likely to prove a seminal work to diplomatic historians and international relations specialists alike in the years ahead.
-Allan E. Goodman, International History Review
There is much to like in this book. It is written in a lucid and engaging style. The organization is good, with smooth and effective transitions between the American and Soviet sides of the story. The book is especially strong on the evolution of thinking in the Kremlin; relying on a number of post-Cold War memoirs and monographs, as well as interviews with former Soviet officials, Nelson effectively portrays Moscow's motives and tactics in opting for detente.
-Fredrik Logevall, Journal of American History



Book Information
ISBN 9781421436203
Author Keith L. Nelson
Format Paperback
Page Count 242
Imprint Johns Hopkins University Press
Publisher Johns Hopkins University Press
Weight(grams) 399g