Michael Dobbs possesses a unique perspective, having been immersed in the Cold War's geopolitical landscape from childhood. His early life in Russia and subsequent career as a foreign correspondent exposed him to pivotal historical moments, from the Prague Spring to the Tiananmen Square protests and the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This intimate, firsthand experience fuels his narrative explorations of the era's complex dynamics and eventual conclusion. Dobbs’s work delves into the intricate machinations and ideological struggles that defined the Cold War, offering readers a deeply informed perspective.
A personal account by journalist Michael Dobbs of the downfall of the Soviet Union and its allies, based on eyewitness experience and interviews. The dramatic events of the final decade of the Soviet empire are described and Mikhail Gorbachev is portrayed as the unwitting inspiration for the upheaval.
When Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin met in Yalta in February 1945, Hitler s armies were on the run, and victory was imminent. The Big Three wanted to draft a blueprint for a lasting peace but instead they set the stage for a forty-four year division of Europe into Soviet and Western spheres of influence. After fighting side by side for nearly four years, their political alliance was beginning to fracture. Although the most dramatic Cold War confrontations such as the Berlin airlift were still to come, a new struggle for global hegemony had got underway by August 1945 when Truman used the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. Six Months in 1945 brilliantly captures this momentous historical turning point while illuminating the aims and personalities of larger-than-life political giants.
Michael Dodds recreates the 'most dangerous moment in human history' and brings the Cuban Missile Crisis to a new generation
Focusing on the pivotal moments of the Watergate scandal, this account provides an insider's perspective from the White House during the crisis that led to a president's downfall. The narrative captures the tension and urgency of the events, detailing the conspiracy's unfolding and its impact on American politics. With sharp insights and riveting storytelling, it reveals the high stakes and the dramatic consequences of this historical episode.
This book offers an engaging and anecdotal history that captures a significant drama of our time. Through compelling storytelling, it weaves together key moments and insights, providing readers with a deep understanding of the events and their impact. The narrative highlights the emotional and historical significance of the story, making it a remarkable account that resonates with contemporary themes.
From an acclaimed British author, a sharply focused, riveting account -- told from inside the White House -- of the crucial days, hours, and moments when the Watergate conspiracy consumed, and ultimately toppled, a president. In January 1973, Richard Nixon was inaugurated after winning re-election in a historic landslide. But by April his presidency had fallen apart as the Watergate scandal metastasised into what White House counsel John Dean called 'a full-blown cancer'. King Richardis the intimate, utterly absorbing narrative of the tension-packed hundred days when the Watergate burglars and their handlers in the administration turned on one another, revealing their direct connection to the White House. Drawing on thousands of hours of newly released taped recordings, Michael Dobbs takes us into the very heart of the conspiracy, recreating these dramatic events in unprecedentedly vivid detail. He captures the growing paranoia of the principal players, and their desperate attempts to deflect blame, as the noose tightened around them and the daily pressures became increasingly unbearable. At the centre of this spellbinding drama is Nixon himself, a man whose strengths -- particularly his determination to win at all costs -- were also his fatal flaws. Structured like a classical tragedy with a uniquely American twist, this is an epic and deeply human story of ambition, power, and betrayal.
"The powerfully told story of a group of German Jews desperately seeking American visas to escape the Nazis, and an illuminating account of America's struggle with the refugee crisis caused by the rise of Hitler. Official tie-in to the U.S. Holocaust Museum multi-year exhibit"--
Michael Dobbs skillfully intertwines his historical passion with the legendary figure of Winston Churchill, creating a compelling narrative in two acclaimed works. The books explore Churchill's resilience and leadership during pivotal moments in history, showcasing his unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. Through rich storytelling, Dobbs captures the essence of Churchill's character and the challenges he confronted, offering readers an engaging and insightful look at one of history's most influential leaders.
In 1942, Hitler's Nazi regime trained eight operatives for a mission to infiltrate America and do devastating damage to its infrastructure. It was a plot that proved historically remarkable for two the surprising extent of its success and the astounding nature of its failure. Soon after two U-Boats packed with explosives arrived on America's shores–one on Long Island, one in Florida–it became clear that the incompetence of the eight saboteurs was matched only by that of American authorities. In fact, had one of the saboteurs not tipped them off, the FBI might never have caught the plot's perpetrators–though a dozen witnesses saw a submarine moored on Long Island.As told by Michael Dobbs, the story of the botched mission and a subsequent trial by military tribunal, resulting in the swift execution of six saboteurs, offers great insight into the tenor of the country--and the state of American intelligence--during World War II and becomes what is perhaps a cautionary tale for our times.
The boundaries of parental love and filial devotion are explored to their breaking point in this unique and breathtaking thriller. Once a year, the Queen, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the judges, the bishops, leaders spiritual and temporal, assemble in the House of Lords for the State Opening of Parliament. On this day, the Lords' Day, the gathering is still more impressive, for sitting beside his mother is the heir to the throne and up in the galleries are the sons of both the US President and the British Prime Minister. But they are all about to be taken hostage. The siege will lead some to selfless sacrifice, others to lose the respect of those they love most dearly...
