1946: The Making of the Modern World

“Mr. Sebestyen deserves praise for illuminating a low point in modern history.” —The Economist “[A] richly textured, eminently readable reminder of the vast problems faced by the leaders of the post-war world and the often fumbling, incompetent, cynical—or occasionally visionary—solutions they struggled to provide.” —Jewish Chronicle“Sebestyen is a witty storyteller with a wide-ranging intellect, and his fast-paced yet expansive style will appeal even to readers with little taste for history. . . [1946] is liberally peppered with fascinating asides and anecdotes that humanize its subjects. . . . An appealing introduction, aimed at a wide audience, to events that continue to shape global affairs.” —Kirkus  “[An] informed, engaging, and accessible history of the year that U.S. president Harry Truman called the year of decisions. . . . With mesmerizing detail and riveting vignettes scattered throughout, Sebestyen explores virtually every major postwar theme and event.” —Publishers Weekly “Sebestyen chronicles crucial events of 1946 in this outstanding work. The author does not shy away from the explicit and heartbreaking details in creating a powerful and readable account of this challenging year. Highly recommended for anyone interested in world history or for those seeking to understand why the world is as it is today.” —Library Journal“A much-needed addition to the existing literature on the post-Second World War period. . . . Victor Sebestyen has powerfully argued that the year 1946 has shaped our modern world.” —The Washington Book ReviewPraise from the UK for Victor Sebestyen’s 1946 “An exceptionally involving and horrifying book . . . grindingly awful detail.” —Sam Leith, The Spectator “[Sebestyen] reminds us that the world's miseries persisted in plenty after the defeat of the Axis.” —Max Hastings, The Sunday Times “An impressively wide-ranging and detailed survey of the war’s aftermath. . . . An uncommonly clear bird’s-eye view of a post-war world of rivalry, hardship, and chaos.” —Peter Lewis, The Daily Mail “1946 is a gripping and authoritative work spanning the world:  an excellent, elegant and exciting panoramic portrait of the dark world emerging from WWII.” —Simon Sebag Montefiore, author of Stalin: The Court of the Red Tsar