Deterring Armageddon: A Biography of NATO
the "astonishingly fine history" of the world's most successful military alliance
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Headline Publishing Group
Published:1st Feb '24
Should be back in stock very soon
This book chronicles the history of NATO, from its inception post-WWII to the current geopolitical climate, particularly the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The book Deterring Armageddon: A Biography of NATO provides a comprehensive examination of NATO, the intergovernmental military alliance formed in the aftermath of World War II. The narrative begins with the devastation of Europe in 1945, where the founders of NATO believed that a united front among Western democracies was essential to prevent another catastrophic conflict. Over the past 75 years, NATO has played a crucial role in maintaining peace with Russia while evolving into a significant political and strategic player on the global stage. The author delves into the complexities of NATO's history, highlighting key figures and events that have shaped the alliance's trajectory.
As the book unfolds, it explores the various challenges NATO has faced, from the Cold War tensions to the more recent geopolitical conflicts, including the ongoing situation in Ukraine. Deterring Armageddon not only recounts the historical milestones of the alliance but also examines the delicate balance of power between the United States and its European allies. The narrative captures the essence of NATO’s mission, revealing how it has navigated through periods of isolationism, rivalry, and unexpected military engagements.
Furthermore, the book analyzes the implications of NATO's decisions and actions on global security, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing contemporary threats. With a focus on the enduring relevance of NATO in today's world, Deterring Armageddon offers readers a profound insight into the alliance's past, present, and future, making it an essential read for anyone interested in international relations and military history.
Hugely impressive * Independent *
an impressive chronicle, rich in anecdote, of Nato's history from its uncertain founding amid the wreckage of post-second world war Europe to the present day ... Several themes recur in Apps' well-paced narrative of the backroom deals, political posturing, big personalities, and recurring crises that have tested Nato ever since. * Financial Times *
Fascinating ... We should be very grateful to Peter Apps ... for writing a thorough history of NATO from birth in 1949 to today
* Daily Mail *Explains in absorbing detail the conception, birth and life [of NATO] so far ... an astonishingly fine history.
* Country Life *A masterful portrait of an organisation often misunderstood but absolutely central to much of contemporary international politics... expertly crafted. * Irish Independent *
A well-researched, highly readable account of the military, strategic - and indeed personal - twists and turns in NATO's history ... fascinating and enthralling ... relevant and important. -- Lord Robertson, former NATO Secretary General * The House magazine *
Utterly eye-opening - compelling, haunting and continually illuminating. As Peter Apps so brilliantly demonstrates in this gripping book, the story of the NATO alliance is in many ways a parallel global history of the last 75 years. As well as all the outbreaks of seething tension between the US and its European allies - and the counter-moves of rival powers - this is also an account of just how often in those postwar years that we all stood on the edge of the most terrible abyss. With mesmerising fluency, and dazzling research, Apps follows the criss-crossing threads of the Cold War and beyond. Those threads converge in our shadowed present, and the conflict in Ukraine. In order to fathom today's dark world, Apps has explored a labyrinth of once-classified history, and he brings dazzling clarity. * Sinclair McKay *
Peter Apps takes us on a journey through NATO's history with the kind of storytelling flair that one would expect from someone steeped in the art of journalism - and an eye for the kind of anecdote that brings engagingly to life what could too easily be a dry bureaucratic subject. * Engelsberg Ideas *
Peter Apps has created a quintessential guide for understanding NATO, from its historical development to its future pathways... Deterring Armageddon is a must-read as we enter a new era of heightened global risk and shock events. * Dr Maha Hosain Aziz *
Compelling and informative - a must-read for anyone serious about understanding both the history and future of Western military strategy. * Anna-Joy Rickard, the Great British Foreign Affairs Podcast *
'Excellent ... Peter Apps's account is longer and more comprehensive, in effect providing a history of the big transatlantic policy debates since 1945, with surprisingly little left out. He covers the ground efficiently, enlivening the discussion with vivid pen portraits of the key characters.
-- Lawrence Freedman * THE TLS *ISBN: 9781035405756
Dimensions: 242mm x 164mm x 54mm
Weight: 920g
624 pages