Engaging the Evil Empire

[A] provocative new book on the Cold War relationship between the US and the Soviet Union during the first half of the 1980s.

* Choice *

This fast-paced and well-documented analysis of the 1981-85 period provides much new evidence about an oft-neglected period in superpower relations. Simon Miles contradicts the widely held view that the Cold War flared up once more during Ronald Reagan's first term and the concurrent final years of gerontocratic rule in the Soviet Union, arguing instead that the two superpowers were genuinely interested in negotiations, though not necessarily cooperation. Engaging the Evil Empire benefits from a clear narrative, concise writing, and the use of a dazzling array of archival material.

* The Russian Review *

Engaging the Evil Empire is a thought-provoking historical analysis of the people and events that accelerated the Cold War's peaceful conclusion. Miles's work is an efficient case study for any student of grand strategy. His use of archives from multiple European states adds credibility to the importance he places on back-channeling and quiet diplomacy as the profound aspects of Reagan's approach.

* H-War *

Miles's book represents a very valuable contribution to the Cold War research and no historian who is interested in the superpower competition in the second half of the 20th century should miss it.

* Securitas Imperii *

Simon Miles's Engaging the Evil Empire initiates a more pointed and factual exploration of the topic. Miles makes clear that the groundwork for improvement was being quietly laid during the time when US-Soviet relations seemed most ominous.

* The Journal of American History *

Miles makes clear that the groundwork for improvement was being quietly laid during the time when U.S.-Soviet relations seemed most ominous. The great strengths of Miles's book is his use of an impressively rich international set of archival sources that complements and goes beyond much of what previous scholars have accessed.

* H-Diplo *