World War III did not occur in the 1950s and 1960s as many had feared. Yet it spawned a host of military engagements that affected millions of lives. Here is a comprehensive, multinational overview of military affairs during the early Cold War, beginning with conflicts during World War II in Warsaw, Athens, and Saigon and ending with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Prologue: a tale of three cities -- Origins, interests, and forces -- The Greek Civil War -- Armed forces in an atomic age -- Confrontations and alliances -- The Chinese Civil War -- The Korean Conflict -- European alliances and armaments -- The Philippines and Taiwan -- The twenty-year war: France, Indochina, and Algeria -- The decline of empires -- The United States enters the Middle East -- Nuclear nightmares -- Four confrontations, 1960-1962 -- The Cuban Missile Crisis -- Conclusion -- Acronyms, abbreviations, and other terms.