Cold War

Children's Literature

The Cold War was a period in history when the threat of global devastation due to conflicting political ideologies was a very real fact of life. Emerging from historical events such as the Russian Revolution, World War One and the Second World War, the Cold War was a time when the world stood in polarized armed camps. In this first volume of the five-part series "Cold War," Michael Burgan sets the stage for the outbreak of hostility between the democratic and communist blocks. Tracing the rise of the Soviet Union. as well as the tumultuous events of the early to mid-twentieth century, Burgan does an outstanding job of painting the political portrait of that dangerous era. He not only describes the key developments of the early Cold War but also profiles some of the leading movers and shakers of the period. Figures such as Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Hitler, and Truman are all presented in a thorough and informative manner. This illustrated look at the origins of the Cold War combines numerous illustrations, a well-developed narrative and numerous resource avenues. This is a fine work of scholarship that will help readers understand the first steps in the Cold War. 2001, Raintree Steck-Vaughn, $35.68. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck