A comprehensive look at both the diversity of Eastern Europe and the multiplicity of Soviet concerns in the region.

This volume consists of a collection of essays written by Professor Byrnes between 1956 and 1988. The papers vary considerably in focus and include policy issues that were significant at the time, with the Cold War analyses around the post-war containment theory. In addition, there is a consistent viewpoint and argument in Byrnes reflections on East-West relations. A central theme throughout the collection is the essential correctness of U.S. foreign policy toward the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe between 1946 and 1988.

..". lucid and stimulating... " The New York Times Book Review "Essential reading for anyone who wishes to understand the new Eastern Europe and the collapse of Soviet control over it informative and incisive." Zbigniew Brzezinski "Gati s book... is the most current and best-informed study of this rapidly changing world.... Professor Gati is uniquely qualified to understand and give perspective to the impact of perestroika and Soviet new thinking on the events in Eastern Europe." William H. Luers, Former U. S. Ambassador to Czechoslovakia ..". a superb synthesis of the postwar evolution of Soviet-East European relations and the first up-to-date analysis of the revolutionary events in that part of the world in 1989." Michael Mandelbaum, Council on Foreign Relations "An up-to-date and lucid overview of the troubled course of Soviet-East European relations at time of momentous change in the Soviet bloc." Sarah M. Terry ..". excellent analysis and synthesis... " Foreign Affairs "this book is written in a lively style and is a good scholarly synthesis of the post-Second World War evolution of Soviet-East European relations ending in the revolutionary events of 1989." Canadian Journal of Political Science ..". a lively and perceptive account... " Military Review "Clearly and simply written, this book is particularly useful as a compact introduction to the prehistory and transformation of East European politics." Choice "It is well organized, readable, and sensitive to complexity; find the time to read it." History"

This book discerns Soviet leaders' views of the United States and sees them in relation to foreign policy statements and actions. Hermann first examines the subtle problem of analyzing perceptions and interpreting motives from the words and deeds of national leaders. He then turns to cases, measuring the dominant U.S. hypotheses about the USSR against Soviet behavior in Central Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, as well as Soviet participation in the arms race. Finally, he weighs his conclusions against a thematic study of speeches and publications by members of the Politburo.