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The War of Nerves

Inside the Cold War Mind

Published by Pegasus Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster

About The Book

A major new history of the Cold War that explores the conflict through the minds of the people who lived through it.

More than any other conflict, the Cold War was fought on the battlefield of the human mind. And, nearly thirty years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, its legacy still endures—not only in our politics, but in our own thoughts and fears.

Drawing on a vast array of untapped archives and unseen sources, Martin Sixsmith vividly recreates the tensions and paranoia of the Cold War, framing it for the first time from a psychological perspective. Revisiting towering, unique personalities like Khrushchev, Kennedy, and Nixon, as well as the lives of the unknown millions who were caught up in the conflict, this is a gripping narrative of the paranoia of the Cold War—and in today's uncertain times, this story is more resonant than ever.

About The Author

Martin Sixsmith studied Russian at Oxford, Harvard, the Sorbonne, and in St Petersburg. He witnessed the end of the Cold War first-hand, reporting for the BBC from Moscow during the presidencies of Gorbachev and Yeltsin. He is the author of two novels and several works of non-fiction, including Philomena (a New York Times bestsellerand Russia: A 1,000 Year Chronicle of the Wild East. Martin lives in London.

Product Details

  • Publisher: Pegasus Books (July 5, 2022)
  • Length: 592 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781639361823

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Raves and Reviews

Praise for Martin Sixsmith’s Russia: A 1,000 Year Chronicle of the Wild East:

"A lively chronicle.”

– Orlando Figes, author of The Europeans

“A thoroughly satisfying history. A lively opinionated narrative.”

– Publishers Weekly

"Sixsmith has the knack of delivering complex material with a clear voice."

– The Times (London)

"Russia, a 1,000 Year Chronicle of the Wild East contains many of the required ingredients to become the leading popular history of Russia. Colloquial, persona,l and anecdotal in style. Well researched and factually sound.”

– The Times Literary Supplement

Praise for Philomena:

“The extraordinary story of an extraordinary woman. It reveals a remarkable human being with astonishing fortitude and a truly humbling willingness to forgive. I hope Philomena’s heroic search and her courage in allowing her story to be told will bring comfort to all who have suffered a similar fate.”

– Judi Dench

“A searingly poignant account of forced adoption and its consequences.”

– Kirkus Reviews (starred)

“Riveting. Sixsmith chillingly recounts this mother-and-son saga.”

– Publishers Weekly

“A powerful testament to the strength of the bond between mother and child.”

– Shelf Awareness

“Emotionally compelling.”

– Library Journal

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