The United States and Russia: A Cold and Complex History

The United States and Russia: A Cold and Complex History — page 1
Foreword History books are often filled with names and dates words and numbers for students to memorize for a test and forget once they move on to another class However what history books should be filled with are great stories because the history of our world is filled with great stories Love death violence heroism and betrayal are not just themes found in novels and movie scripts They are often the driving forces behind major historical events When told in a compelling way fact is often far more interesting and sometimes far more unbelievable than fiction World history is filled with more drama than the best television shows and all of it really happened As readers discover the incredible truth behind the triumphs and tragedies that have impacted impacted the world since ancient times they also come to understand that everything everything is connected Historical events do not exist in a vacuum The stories that shaped world history continue to shape the present and will undoubtedly shape the future The titles in this series aim to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding understanding of pivotal events in world history They are written with a focus on providing readers with multiple perspectives perspectives to help them develop an appreciation appreciation for the complexity of the study of history There is no set lens through which history must be viewed and these titles encourage readers to analyze different different viewpoints to understand why a historical figure acted the way they did or why a contemporary scholar wrote what they did about a historical event In this way readers are able to sharpen their critical-thinking skills and apply those skills in their history classes Readers Readers are aided in this pursuit by formally documented quotations and annotated bibliographies which encourage further research and debate Many of these quotations come from carefully selected primary sources including diaries public records and contemporary research and writings These valuable primary sources helps readers hear the voices of those who directly experienced historical events as well as the voices of biographers and historians who provide a unique perspective on familiar topics Their voices all help history come alive in a vibrant way As students read the titles in this series they are provided with clear 4 the united states and russia a cold and complex history