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The World Since 1945: A History of International Relations, 8th edition

Wayne C. McWilliams and Harry Piotrowski
The World Since 1945: A History of International Relations, 8th edition
ISBN: 978-1-62637-074-6
$32.50
ISBN: 978-1-62637-174-3
$32.50
2014/620 pages
"By far the most popular book I use in any course that I teach.... The World Since 1945 strikes an excellent (and rare) balance between evenhanded content and accessibility for students."—Kathryn Lavelle, Case Western Reserve University

"Clearly conceived, written with verve and moral commitment, it should be welcomed by student readers."—World History Bulletin

"McWilliams and Piotrowski provide a thoughtful and integrated appreciation of a huge topic and have produced a book that deserves a wide readership."—Australia and World Affairs

"Exceedingly effective.... [The authors provide] a coherent summary of international history during the Cold War and beyond."—Journal of World History

DESCRIPTION

New emphasis on the impacts of globalization, events in the Middle East, and political and economic changes in East Asia—as well as new information and maps throughout—are among the features of this thoroughly revised edition of The World Since 1945.

The text traces the major political, economic, and ideological patterns that have evolved in the global arena from the end of World War II to the present, providing the background needed for a solid understanding of contemporary international relations. Written to be student friendly, it has made its place as the text of choice in scores of introductory IR and world history courses.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Wayne C. McWilliams and Harry Piotrowski are emeritus professors in the Department of History at Towson University.

CONTENTS

  • Introduction.
  • THE ORIGINS OF THE COLD WAR.
  • The End of World War II and the Dawn of the Nuclear Age.
  • The Cold War Institutionalized.
  • The Cold War in Asia: A Change of Venue.
  • Confrontation and Coexistence.
  • NATIONALISM AND THE END OF COLONIALISM.
  • Decolonization in Asia.
  • Decolonization in Sub-Saharan Africa. 
  • Decolonization in the Arab World.
  • The Arab-Israeli Conflict.
  • THE SHIFTING SANDS OF GLOBAL POWER.
  • The Communist World After Stalin.
  • The War in Indochina.
  • Détente and the End of Bipolarity.
  • THE GLOBAL SOUTH.
  • The Challenges of Economic Development.
  • Africa.
  • Latin America.
  • The People's Republic of China and Taiwan.
  • The Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.
  • THE EMERGENCE OF A NEW LANDSCAPE.
  • The Globalization of the Economy.
  • The Rise of East Asia.
  • Russia: The Legacy of Soviet Empire.
  • The Nuclear Arms Race.
  • The Emergence of Political Islam in the Middle East and North Africa.
  • September 11, Afghanistan, and Iraq.
  • The Arab Spring: Turning to Winter?
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