A World of Nations: The International Order since 1945

By William R. Keylor

Book Overview

Now updated to address recent developments in the post-9/11 world, A World of Nations, Second Edition, provides an analytical narrative of the origins, evolution, and end of the Cold War. Much more than a simple account of the long struggle between the two superpowers, this vibrant text opens with chapters exploring the development of regional conflicts--ethnic, religious, cultural, economic, and military--that dominated international relations until the breakup of the Soviet Union. The final chapters examine the war on terror and the salience of interstate and transnational conflicts in the era of globalization. In engaging, compelling language, author William R. Keylor provides a genuinely international history of this turbulent period.

Designed to serve the needs of both political scientists and historians, the new edition has been reorganized along regional lines while still maintaining the chronological approach of the previous edition. Building on its historical foundation, the second edition discusses International Relation theory and explores such timely critical topics as human rights, environmental issues, NGOs, immigration, and international terrorism. In addition, numerous new photographs and helpful maps animate the text, drawing students into this dynamic subject.

Thoroughly revised and even more relevant in its second edition, A World of Nations offers a riveting exploration of international relations as they have evolved from the Second World War to the present. It is ideal for political science courses on international relations, as well as courses on the history of U.S. foreign policy, European diplomatic history, the history of international relations, and world history since 1945.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195337573
• ISBN13: 9780195337570
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 528 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

A very well written survey of Post-WWII International Relations

Keylor's "World of Nations" is one of many titles that covers the post-WWII era of international relations and is frequently used in college courses delving into that subject, although it is a fine read on its own. In both respects Keylor's book is a very good choice as it covers the topic in good detail, foregoing a straight chronological organization and opting instead to cover the era by various regions such as Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. While that can lead to some repetition and redundancy Keylor's prose is particularly good at holding the readers attention and he writes in a very straightforward direct manner. The result is a book that is a very good survey of this era, but one that uncovers little that is new or previously unknown. Keylor includes a lengthy listing of books on specific topics and subjects in the appendix for readers interested in learning more on a particular subject as well which I found to be most helpful. Considering the other titles out there on this subject "World of Nations" is a very good starting point and highly recommended.