NATO
From Cold War to Ukraine, a History of the World's Most Powerful Alliance
Published on 27. May 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
400 pages
978-0-300-28264-1 (ISBN)
Description
A wide-ranging new history of NATO, from its origins to the present day-published for the alliance's seventy-fifth anniversary
For seven decades, NATO's stated aim has been the achievement of world peace-but playing great power politics always involves conflict. Russia's war on Ukraine and on Europe's security order puts the alliance under threat, but also demonstrates why transatlantic cooperation is so necessary. But how did NATO get to where it is today, and what does its future hold?
In this incisive new account, Sten Rynning traces the full history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation from its origins to the present. Across its seventy-five years, NATO has navigated the twists and turns of Cold War diplomacy and nuclear deterrence, and has grown its membership. The alliance has become a guarantor of peace, but Rynning explores how its complex inner workings alongside Russian and Chinese opposition are now shaping its direction.
At a time of strategic competition and geopolitical upheaval, Rynning offers us a clear-sighted account of the alliance's intriguing history-and asks what its ambitions might be for the future.
For seven decades, NATO's stated aim has been the achievement of world peace-but playing great power politics always involves conflict. Russia's war on Ukraine and on Europe's security order puts the alliance under threat, but also demonstrates why transatlantic cooperation is so necessary. But how did NATO get to where it is today, and what does its future hold?
In this incisive new account, Sten Rynning traces the full history of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation from its origins to the present. Across its seventy-five years, NATO has navigated the twists and turns of Cold War diplomacy and nuclear deterrence, and has grown its membership. The alliance has become a guarantor of peace, but Rynning explores how its complex inner workings alongside Russian and Chinese opposition are now shaping its direction.
At a time of strategic competition and geopolitical upheaval, Rynning offers us a clear-sighted account of the alliance's intriguing history-and asks what its ambitions might be for the future.
Reviews / Votes
"Excellent."-Lawrence Freedman, Times Literary Supplement"[Rynning] draws upon his own extensive experience in tracing what he convincingly argues is a repeating cycle within the alliance, between periods of ambition and disillusionment."-Emma Salisbury, Engelsberg Ideas
"A subtle and thought-provoking book, unflinching in its sober realism about the tensions at the core of NATO's existence."-Yuan Yi Zhu, History Today
"A well-documented and well-argued exposition. Rynning's book carries important lessons about how past crisis management has strengthened transatlantic alliance relations."-Liselotte Odgaard, International Affairs
"[A] comprehensive and highly readable history of NATO's first 75 years."-Trevor McCrisken, International Affairs
"Extremely readable. It provides a great overview of what NATO is, why it came about, and how it has evolved. Rynning does an excellent job."-James Goldgeier, author of The Future of NATO
"As NATO adapts and strengthens to deter a resurgent Russia, rarely can a book be better timed or of such value. An understanding of NATO's past is vital to getting its future right. I commend this exceptional book to policy maker and soldier alike."-General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO, UK Chief of Defence Staff 2010-13
"A brilliantly researched, incisive and magisterial history of the most powerful military alliance the world has known. Rynning takes us into the very soul of NATO to explain how it has endured and why it remains so essential to global security. Rynning shows how NATO resurged to counter Russian aggression, and how it needs to evolve further to meet the challenges of the future."-Theo Farrell, author of Unwinnable: Britain's War in Afghanistan
"The history of NATO is one of constant adaptation and evolution - with many twists and turns along the way. Professor Stan Rynning's book recounts with style and detail a remarkable story. As someone who lived through some of its most momentous moments I can admire the landscape painted here of seventy five years of growth, power and (mixed) achievement. A billion people sleep easy in their beds today because the NATO Alliance protects them. Here they can, and should, see why that has happened."-Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG, 10th Secretary General of NATO, 1999-2003, UK Secretary of State for Defence 1997-99
"Sten Rynning's book NATO is a masterwork from a master NATO expert. Rynning skilfully explores the balancing act between ambition and restraint that has been the story of NATO and its nations since its founding in 1949 to the present day. He establishes with neon clarity the core themes of NATO past and brilliantly illuminates NATO's future. Read it and learn. I did!"-Julian Lindley-French, author of Future War and the Defence of Europe and NATO: The Enduring Alliance "Excellent."-Lawrence Freedman, Times Literary Supplement
"[Rynning] draws upon his own extensive experience in tracing what he convincingly argues is a repeating cycle within the alliance, between periods of ambition and disillusionment."-Emma Salisbury, Engelsberg Ideas
"A subtle and thought-provoking book, unflinching in its sober realism about the tensions at the core of NATO's existence."-Yuan Yi Zhu, History Today
"A well-documented and well-argued exposition. Rynning's book carries important lessons about how past crisis management has strengthened transatlantic alliance relations."-Liselotte Odgaard, International Affairs
"[A] comprehensive and highly readable history of NATO's first 75 years."-Trevor McCrisken, International Affairs
"Extremely readable. It provides a great overview of what NATO is, why it came about, and how it has evolved. Rynning does an excellent job."-James Goldgeier, author of The Future of NATO
"As NATO adapts and strengthens to deter a resurgent Russia, rarely can a book be better timed or of such value. An understanding of NATO's past is vital to getting its future right. I commend this exceptional book to policy maker and soldier alike."-General The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO, UK Chief of Defence Staff 2010-13
"A brilliantly researched, incisive and magisterial history of the most powerful military alliance the world has known. Rynning takes us into the very soul of NATO to explain how it has endured and why it remains so essential to global security. Rynning shows how NATO resurged to counter Russian aggression, and how it needs to evolve further to meet the challenges of the future."-Theo Farrell, author of Unwinnable: Britain's War in Afghanistan
"The history of NATO is one of constant adaptation and evolution - with many twists and turns along the way. Professor Stan Rynning's book recounts with style and detail a remarkable story. As someone who lived through some of its most momentous moments I can admire the landscape painted here of seventy five years of growth, power and (mixed) achievement. A billion people sleep easy in their beds today because the NATO Alliance protects them. Here they can, and should, see why that has happened."-Rt Hon Lord Robertson of Port Ellen KT GCMG, 10th Secretary General of NATO, 1999-2003, UK Secretary of State for Defence 1997-99
"Sten Rynning's book NATO is a masterwork from a master NATO expert. Rynning skilfully explores the balancing act between ambition and restraint that has been the story of NATO and its nations since its founding in 1949 to the present day. He establishes with neon clarity the core themes of NATO past and brilliantly illuminates NATO's future. Read it and learn. I did!"-Julian Lindley-French, author of Future War and the Defence of Europe and NATO: The Enduring Alliance
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
5 maps + 29 bw illus.
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 125 mm
Thickness: 28 mm
Weight
320 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-300-28264-1 (9780300282641)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
03/2024
Yale University Press
€28.50
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Person
Sten Rynning has researched and written on NATO for twenty-five years. He is a professor and director of the Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, and the author of NATO in Afghanistan and NATO Renewed.