This ambitious title may set expectations that are bound to be hard to realise - and, indeed, it isn’t always clear whether this is a social, political or military history. Having expressed this modest caveat, it is only fair to acknowledge that it will serve as a useful overview of the period we know as the Cold War, particularly for those whose knowledge comes from books and TV documentaries rather than having lived through the years concerned. Most of the topics one might expect to be included are present to some degree and, provided that the reader is not expecting too scholarly a coverage of the Cold War s/he is unlikely to be disappointed.

What is noteworthy, however, is that the author’s interests include the intersection between politics, events and culture. Whilst this can be a rich vein to tap, it always runs the risk of exaggerating the importance of some of the cultural manifestations on the lives of ordinary citizens. This examination of Cold War Britain may stray somewhat into this territory. Similarly, any author’s judgements on how events unfolded and the influences that had greatest impact will always struggle to maintain a disinterested perspective, particularly given the occasional controversial or contested episodes that characterised this period.

Recommended, particularly if read with an open mind.

Cold War Britain is a gem for history and politics fans with sophisticated content about Britain’s position in and relationship with Cold War era made accessible.
If you are like me and ‘enjoyed’ knowing more about Cold War during your school years, and/or witnessed it or if you wish to know why certain aspects of the political climate today are the way they are and what has changed, this is a good resource for you.