Well worth reading 

I read this book a few years ago, and was impressed with its scope. Just as important, I feel it portarys much of the complexity of the world in recent decades and suggests some major factors that have contributed to the shape of the post-cold war world. The prose is of consistent quality, and to be honest, the book is worth reccomending even just for its coverage of the cold war. I would probably think well of a history professor that would include this book as reading for a class. Joe, U.S.