His observations, plus those of other individuals in directly involved in the events, and his extensive research in secondary and primary sources led to this major contribution to understanding Cold War history. . . . Highly recommended.
CHOICE
Smyser uses newly-available archival documents from Washington, Moscow and other world capitals to craft a detailed history of a pivotal ... Read moreCold War episode.
Publishers Weekly
Portraying Kennedy as a work in progress who evolved into a thoughtful statesman with a healthy mistrust of military and diplomatic advisors, Smyser delivers an impressive narrative that will hold the attention of general readers and scholars.
Library Journal
A revealing, surprising, and riveting account of this prolonged crisis under the Kennedy administration. Smyser excels particularly in his portrayals of the key political figures. . . . An excellent addition to our understanding of a critical episode of the cold war.
Booklist
The most comprehensive description of the Berlin Crisis of 1961. Well written and thoughtful, [Smyser's book] describes how Kennedy and Krushchev maneuvered at the edge of an abyss.
Henry Kissinger Mr. Smyser observed the Berlin crisis from his vantage point in the US Mission to Berlin 1960–64, serving under General Lucius D. Clay. And it is Gen. Clay who emerges as the hero of the standoff, persuading Mr. Kennedy not to yield to Soviet demands. . . . Mr. Smyser considered Berlin to be a valuable learning experience for the young president. This is a good read on a crisis even more dangerous than the Cuban missiles.
The Washington Times
Smyser illuminates the crisis over the Berlin wall and the way an untried President Kennedy maneuvered to avert an armed collision with the Soviets. I covered that crisis on the ground in Berlin in 1961. From this prodigiously researched book I now better understand the wider context of the crisis.
Daniel Schorr, senior news analyst for National Public Radio This detail-rich account of that success in Berlin makes an important contribution to any analysis of Kennedy's short-lived presidency. History lovers will love this book.
The Tampa Tribune
As a diplomat, Richard Smyser advised Gen. Lucius Clay. As a young German-speaking American he heard and faced the fears of the Berliners. Now, as a scholar, he tells the gripping story of the events that led to the Wall and the debate within the Kennedy administration over how to respond. He also describes how Kennedy found his 'voice' when he went to West Berlin and saw the Wall.
Garrick Utley, chairman of The American Council on Germany and president of The Levin Graduate Institute Deeply impressive, this book recalls Kennedy's historic statement 'ich bin ein Berliner' and General Clay's cooperation with Kennedy to save Berlin. It should be read by all who want to know how Germany and Berlin are now free and united.
Horst Teltschik, Chancellor Helmut Kohl's negotiator on German unification A friend of Berlin expertly pulls together new insights about the building of the Wall, the Checkpoint Charlie confrontation, and the tensions between Kennedy and Clay. He also shows the key Berlin connection to the Cuba crisis and describes the preparation for Kennedy's 'ich bin ein Berliner' speech.
Egon Bahr, Mayor Willy Brandt's closest adviser A superbly written study of John F. Kennedy's policies on Berlin . . . with fascinating new insights into the motives and statesmanship of [those] policies. This book provides new evidence how the survival of this enclave of the democratic world inside the Communist empire contributed to the West's victory in the Cold War.
Karl Kaiser, Harvard University Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the events shaping its creation have strong historical lessons to impart to posterity—making Kennedy and the Berlin Wall a worthy addition to both public and college library history shelves.
Wisconsin Bookwatch
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