Princeton University Press
The Spectre of War: International Communism and the Origins of World War II
Key Metrics
- Jonathan Haslam
- Princeton University Press
- Paperback
- 9780691226453
- -
- -
- History > Modern - 20th Century
- English
Secure TransactionBook Description
A bold new history showing that the fear of Communism was a major factor in the outbreak of World War II
The Spectre of War looks at a subject we thought we knew--the roots of the Second World War--and upends our assumptions with a masterful new interpretation. Looking beyond traditional explanations based on diplomatic failures or military might, Jonathan Haslam explores the neglected thread connecting them all: the fear of Communism prevalent across continents during the interwar period. Marshalling an array of archival sources, including records from the Communist International, Haslam transforms our understanding of the deep-seated origins of World War II, its conflicts, and its legacy. Illuminating ideological differences and the continuous role of pre- and postwar Communism, The Spectre of War provides unprecedented context for one of the most momentous calamities of the twentieth century.
Author Bio
Jonathan Haslam is a leading scholar on the history of thought in international relations and the history of the Soviet Union whose work builds a bridge between historical studies and the understanding of contemporary phenomena through critical examinations of the role of ideology.
His studies of Soviet foreign policy are expansive in their quality and range, demonstrating his keen originality of thought, supported by insightful and comprehensive archival research.
Haslam is the author of many books, as well as a blog, www.throughrussianeyes.com, which highlights aspects of Russia’s foreign and defense policies that do not see the light of day in mainstream media.
Honors
Appointments: Historical-Diplomatic Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, International Advisory Committee 1992–96; House of Lords European Union Committee, Sub-Committee for Common Security and Foreign Policy, Specialist Adviser 2001–02
Editorships: Annals of Communism, Editorial Board 1999–; Cold War History, Editorial Advisory Board 2000–
Journal of Contemporary History, Editorial Board 2011–
Fellowships: British Academy; Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; Johns Hopkins University, Society of Scholars; Royal Historical Society
Source: Institute for Advanced Study
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