Why did the Cold War erupt so rapidly after World War II? How did it escalate so rapidly, spanning five continents over six decades? And what led to the spectacular collapse of the Soviet Union? In this comprehensive guide to the most widespread conflict in contemporary history, Vladislav Zubok traces the origins of the Cold War in postwar Europe, through the turbulent decades of confrontation, to the fall of the Berlin Wall and beyond. With remarkable clarity and unique perspective, Zubok argues that the Cold War, often viewed as an existential battle between capitalist democracy and totalitarian communism, has long been misunderstood. He challenges the common Western narrative that economic superiority and democratic values ​​led the United States to victory. Instead, he looks beyond the familiar images of East-West rivalry, highlighting the influence of non-Western actors, placing the war in the context of global decolonization, the weakening of the Soviet Union, and the accidents of history. Here, he asks what happens when stability and peace are no longer the default, when treaties are broken, and when diplomacy ceases to work. Based on years of research, and based on Zubok's three decades in the Soviet Union, followed by three decades in the West, "Cold War World" paints a stunning picture of a world on the brink.