Berlin 1961

Berlin 1961 by Frederick Kempe, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons on May 10, 2011, is a comprehensive account of a pivotal moment in Cold War history. This first edition spans 608 pages and is presented in English. The book delves into the Berlin Crisis of 1961, a critical event that shaped international relations and highlighted the tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Kempe utilizes a wealth of new documents and interviews to provide insights into the actions and motivations of key figures during this tumultuous period.
Readers will find a detailed exploration of the geopolitical landscape of the time, focusing on the standoff between American and Soviet forces in Berlin. The narrative captures the precariousness of the situation, as both leaders navigated a complex web of political pressures and military posturing. The book also addresses the implications of these events for contemporary global politics, making connections that resonate with current international relations. Through its thorough research and engaging storytelling, Berlin 1961 offers a significant perspective on the dynamics of power and conflict during a critical era.
Official synopsis Publisher
A fresh, controversial, brilliantly written account of one of the epic dramas of the Cold War-and its lessons for today.
“History at its best.” -Zbigniew Brzezinski
“Gripping, well researched, and thought-provoking, with many lessons for today.” -Henry Kissinger
“Captures the drama [with] the ‘You are there’ storytelling skills of a journalist and the analytical skills of the political scientist.” – General Brent Scowcroft
In June 1961, Nikita Khrushchev called it “the most dangerous place on earth.” He knew what he was talking about.
Much has been written about the Cuban Missile Crisis a year later, but the Berlin Crisis of 1961 was more decisive in shaping the Cold War-and more perilous. For the first time in history, American and Soviet fighting men and tanks stood arrayed against each other, only yards apart. One mistake, one overzealous commander-and the trip wire would be sprung for a war that would go nuclear in a heartbeat. On one side was a young, untested U.S. president still reeling from the Bay of Pigs disaster. On the other, a Soviet premier hemmed in by the Chinese, the East Germans, and hard-liners in his own government. Neither really understood the other, both tried cynically to manipulate events. And so, week by week, the dangers grew.
Based on a wealth of new documents and interviews, filled with fresh- sometimes startling-insights, written with immediacy and drama, Berlin 1961 is a masterly look at key events of the twentieth century, with powerful applications to these early years of the twenty- first.
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