Western interpretations of the Cold War--both realist and neoconservative--have erred by exaggerating either the Kremlin's pragmatism or its aggressiveness, argues the author. Explaining the interests, aspirations illusions, fears, and misperceptions of the Kremlin leaders and the Soviet elites, the author offers a Soviet perspective on the greatest standoff of the twentieth century.

Originally published in 2007.

1.The Soviet people and Stalin between war and peace, 1945 -- 2. Stalin's road to the Cold War, 1945-1948 -- 3. Stalemate in Germany, 1945-1953 -- 4. Kremlin politics and ""peaceful coexistence,"" 1953-1957 -- 5. The nuclear education of Khrushchev, 1953-1963 -- 6. The Soviet home front : first cracks, 1953-1968 -- 7. Brezhnev and the road to d©tente, 1965-1972 -- 8. D©tente's decline and Soviet overreach, 1973-1979 -- 9. The old Guard's exit, 1980-1987 -- 10. Gorbachev and the end of Soviet power, 1988-1991.