'An ambitious study of the cold war . filled with fascinating insights into the psychology of one of the most dangerous periods in world history . illuminating' - P.D. James 'There have been many histories of the cold war, but the virtue and originality of Mr Sixsmith's is to see almost every aspect of the stand-off in psychological terms' - Economist 'Written with exemplary clarity and full of succulent anecdotes . Sixsmith's huge canvas encompasses the Space Race, the motivations of the Cambridge spies, and the details of Project MK Ultra' - Daily Telegraph '[Sixsmith] has found another way of telling the story of the Cold War, one that laces history with the mind games that were played by both sides . a good read . peppered with anecdote, archival nuggets and short flashes of insight .

The book stands out from other Cold War narratives by its introduction of psychological theorising . It was time for a vivid popular history of the Cold War, and this is it.' - Roger Boyes 'This fascinating study of Cold War psychology also has much to teach us about contemporary tensions' - Vin Arthey.