The End of the Cold War Begins: 1981's Global Impact by Oliver Shaw delves into the pivotal year of 1981, exploring the geopolitical shifts that set the stage for the end of the Cold War. This book examines the intersection of major global events, the rise of new political and economic strategies, and the transformative role of leadership during a period of intense ideological rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union. Through the lens of key figures, such as U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Shaw uncovers the origins of pivotal shifts that would lead to the collapse of the Soviet system and the subsequent reshaping of the global order. The book also highlights the roles of emerging powers, the impact of economic policies, and the changing dynamics within Eastern Europe, providing a comprehensive analysis of 1981 as the year the end of the Cold War truly began. This is a critical examination of how decisions made in this transformative year set the course for the peace, turmoil, and new alliances that would follow, leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the reorganization of international relations.