This pioneering book provides a new interpretation of the Anglo-American special relationship's fundamental nature, its strengths and weaknesses, and the heart of its operational dynamic. Revealing the powerful influence of cultural affinity, Hendershot explains why no disagreement, however large, has been able to divide the American and British partnership entirely - an explanation rooted in the history of Anglo-American crises, myths and perceptions of fraternity. Focusing on the 1956 Suez crisis and the American war in Vietnam, the author draws upon vast archival records and public opinion survey data to demonstrate how cultural affinity has stabilized and sustained the alliance even in the face of bitter disagreements. As the sinew of this unique bilateral partnership, cultural affinity has allowed the special relationship, though altered and unequal, to survive into the 21st century. This book is addressed to readers interested in the special relationship, the Suez crisis, the Vietnam War, Cold War alliances, and the influence of culture upon diplomacy.