A substantial work of nonfiction about the Cold War begins with U.S-Soviet tensions in the 1950s and culminates with the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. In between are spies, the space race, the nuclear arms race, and the overarching threat of nuclear annihilation from the H-bomb. Divided into three sections, with key players introduced through photographs at the start of each, the narrative is punctuated by memorable anecdotes as it documents the rising tensions and increasingly high stakes of U.S.–Soviet relations. The drama builds slowly, with changing leaders jockeying to get the upper hand in a war that played out as much through psychology as espionage and technological triumphs. By the time Cuban Missile Crisis arrived, President Kennedy had been bested by Nikita Kruschev on the international stage more than once. It turns out neither man wanted to start a nuclear war, but missteps, close calls, personal heroics on the parts of some and callous disregard on the part of others were all part of the story as the crisis unfolded. This account will have readers on the edge of their seats before it arrives at a fragile peace. Source notes, a lengthy bibliography, and index conclude the volume. (Age 12 and older)