The Cold War should not be viewed merely as a conflict involving two superpowers that began with the end of World War II and ended with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Both in terms of time and geography, the Cold War was not confined to these narrow limits. It was an ideological confrontation on a global scale, with its origins in the Industrial Revolution and its consequences still shaping developments in many parts of the world today. This is the perspective of the distinguished Norwegian historian Odd Arne Westad, who attempts here a new approach to the phenomenon of the Cold War, focusing on how military and ideological competition affected every corner of the planet: From Soweto to Hollywood and from Hanoi to Hamburg, young men and women felt they were fighting for the future of the world. The Cold War may have been ignited on the European periphery, but its deeper resonances were felt in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where almost every community was forced to choose a side. And these choices continue, to a large extent, to determine the economic and political realities in the world today. This book, thanks to its comprehensive and original perspective, helps in understanding the Cold War and offers a fascinating new history of how the modern world was created. "A robust synthesis from one of the great historians of our time." Timothy Snyder "Westad's history is the beginning of wisdom..." Ian Thomson, The Observer "Masterful... a book of decisive importance for planning our future and understanding our past." Richard Davenport-Hines, TLS "An excellent, and extremely timely, history lesson for our time." Kirkus Reviews