David Painter provides a compact and analytical study of the origins, course and end of the Cold War. Taking a global overview and emphasising the Third World as well as the contested regions of Asia and Central America, he includes discussion of:* the global distribution of power* the arms race* the world economy* the human and financial costs of the Cold War* key incidents, wars, 'actors' and especially 'the end'.The book will prove an invaluable introduction to the international state of affairs between 1945 and 1990.