The author characterizes this book as a "docu-story." As such, it is an exceptionally well-researched and skillfully written chronology of the history of Russia, the Soviet Union and the cold War. The work is unusual and unique. It is unusual because unlike most books of an historical nature, it is free-flowing and not tightly structured. It is unique because it is written with considerable input from the author's personal experiences interwoven with perceptions and anecdotal observations. The work is Assertive: ""I have no doubt that there was Cold War. I fought in it."" (The Author); Candid: " "Stalin is an unconscionable dictator, but I liked the little son-of-a-bitch."" (Truman); Provocative: " "Truman is worthless."" (Stalin); and Challenging: ""Why not set a goal, just between the two of us; let's find a practical way to solve our critical issues."" (Reagan) and ""we can set a specific agenda for how to straighten-out Soviet-American relations."" (Gorbachev). Finally, it is Cautionary: " "The world has become in many respects a safer place, unfortunately, it is also still a dangerous place, fraught with uncertainty."" (Commander-in-Chief, US Strategic Command) and: ""The missile force is in the same state of readiness as ten years ago. My men and my missiles are always ready."" (General of the Army, Igor Sergeyev, Republic of Russia.)