Berlim: 1961 - Kennedy, Khruschóv E O Lugar Mais Perigoso Do Mundo (2013) - Plot & Excerpts
This is a well-written account of 1961, which most must agree was a year that Kennedy had a rough time in. With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight the author indicates what he believes were errors Kennedy made, and even Kennedy's admirers, of which I confess I am one, must agree that history shows it was not a good year for Kennedy--though whether it was as dire as Kempe indicates other historians may not agree. I found the book unfailingly excitng reading and well-written, dismaying as some of it is. This book is a brilliant account of the most important part of the cold war era that would witness a young and inexperienced Kenedy administration in a conflict with the ruthless and shrewd Nikita Khruschev. This is a story that would lay the foundation of a wall which didn't just divide the city of Berlin into two parts but would also divide the world into conflicting parties. This is story of cold war between two conflicting superpowers, shaped by their commitments to the interests of their allies and to a large part shaped by their fears, suspicions, paranoia, misinterpretations and miscalculations. Mr. Kempe's story telling with in-depth analysis, gathered from painstaking research of personal memoirs and declassified documents, brings a kind of drama to the whole incident. The book has been superbly written The first section deals with the actors with theirs insecurities, fears and legacies to uphold.The second section shows how the inept and week John F Kenedy falters in front of mighty Khrushchev. With an invasion plan gone horribly wrong and not noticing USSR's confidence building measures, the US administration only enrages the Sovites thereby incurring the threat of nuclear dimension.In the third section the mercury rises to the disturbing level, erecting the wall and dividing "the world" into different conflicting ideologies. The last pages are so thrilling and provocative that one can feel the chill down the spine where one nervous trigger happy finger could spark world war 3.This book is a treasure trove of history and shapes the foundations for future conflicts between the west and the east. Although not mandatory, but little insight into the beginning days of cold war from 1945 is desirable. Recommended to all history lovers.
What do You think about Berlim: 1961 - Kennedy, Khruschóv E O Lugar Mais Perigoso Do Mundo (2013)?
I love this book so much. I'm 17, and this really fueled my passion for diplomacy and journalism
—Brianna
The read is as exciting as the history it shares.
—Ivan
