William I. Hitchcock Boeken

La 4e de couv. indique : "Drawing on newly declassified documents and thousands of pages of unpublished material, The Age of Eisenhower tells the story of a masterful president guiding the nation through the great crises of the 1950s, from McCarthyism and the Korean War through civil rights turmoil and Cold War conflicts. This is a portrait of a skilled leader who, despite his conservative inclinations, found a middle path through the bitter partisanship of his era. At home, he affirmed the central elements of the New Deal, such as Social Security; fought the demagoguery of Senator Joseph McCarthy; and advanced the agenda of civil rights for African Americans. Abroad, he ended the Korean War and avoided a new quagmire in Vietnam. Yet he also charted a significant expansion of America's missile technology and deployed a vast array of covert operations around the world to confront the challenge of communism. As he left office, he cautioned Americans to remain alert to the dangers of a powerful military-industrial complex that could threaten their liberties."

The traditional image of Europe in 1945 is of grateful civilians showering soldiers with flowers and dancing in the streets. Using first-hand accounts, Hitchcock describes the catastrophic effects of invasion on Northern France, Belgium and Holland, the huge civilian death tolls from indiscriminate bombing, with towns destroyed and crops burnt.

In this collection, a dozen scholars of international affairs consider the 20th century's recurring failure to construct a peaceful and stable international order in the wake of war. They reflect on the difficulties faced by governments as they sought to secure a world order.

William Hitchcock contends that Cold War historians have overlooked crucial elements in their analysis. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the conflict's broader implications, including the interplay of global politics and the impact on various nations. By reevaluating key events and decisions, Hitchcock seeks to provide a more nuanced perspective on how the Cold War shaped contemporary international relations and influenced the lives of people across the globe. His work invites readers to reconsider established narratives and explore the complexities of this pivotal era.

The author brings a wealth of international experience and academic expertise to the study of history, having lived in various global cities and taught at prestigious institutions like Yale and Wellesley College. His scholarly contributions include significant works on Cold War diplomacy and European history, highlighting his focus on the strategic shifts in Europe from 1945 onward. With a Ph.D. from Yale and a background in teaching, he has been recognized for his educational impact, further establishing him as a prominent figure in historical scholarship.

The book delves into Europe's remarkable evolution from the devastation of World War II to the complexities of contemporary conflicts, particularly the Iraq War. It highlights the impact of Cold War dynamics on European peace efforts and the contributions of influential leaders like Charles de Gaulle, Willy Brandt, and Margaret Thatcher in fostering unity. By addressing the continent's historical challenges with racial and ethnic tensions, the author emphasizes Europe's ongoing journey toward stability, democracy, and its potential influence on global affairs.