The Cold War and Its Origins: 1917-1950 by Fleming, D.F

New York; (1961): Doubleday. First Editions. Octavo. First printings. 2 volume set. 1158 continuous pagination, index. As Hopkins pointed out, Fleming was one of the pioneers who argued that the U.S. did not have a territorial expansionist policy in the Cold War but an economic superiority often at the expense of other countries. As a first rate historian he saw the insanity of those who thought the U.S. goal should be to "win" the Cold War rather than compete against rising economic and political causes. From the U.S. failure to join the League of Nations to the death of Roosevelt whose role would be to understand Russia's role in World War II and find brinkmanship based on understanding rather than viewing them only as the mortal enemy of the U.S. This is a profound study with extensive documentation that will be worth the read of both the traditional cold war warrior as well as those who take far more moderating views such as those of George F. Kennan. One of the essential books on considering the issues of the Cold War. Both volumes bound in gray cloth, spine lettering gilt, near fine in very good unclipped dust jackets lettered in white, some minor rubbing or finger soiling to spines.