The 1940's was probably the most dramatic and decisive decade of the twentieth century. In this volume, the leading international historian David Reynolds has brought together a collection of incisive essays, five of them previously unpublished, to explore some of the major themes, events, and personalities of this pivotal decade. - ;The 1940's was probably the most dramatic and decisive decade of the 20th century. This volume explores the Second World War and the origins of the Cold War from the vantage point of two of the great powers of that era, Britain and the USA, and of their wartime lead