Real People/Real Stories: A Nonfiction Book Group

Real People/Real Stories meets the third Thursday of each month to explore the best in nonfiction history, biography, science, nature, and the arts.

Join us as we discuss Checkmate in Berlin: The Cold War Showdown That Shaped the Modern World by Giles Milton.

The first big battle of the Cold War erupted over who would take control of Berlin in the aftermath of the Second World War. Intense rivalry between the four Allied powers resulted in a volatile situation rife with suspicion and hostility.

“Brilliantly recapturing the febrile atmosphere of Berlin in the first four years after the Second World War, Giles Milton reminds us what an excellent story-teller he is, and how often and easily the Cold War could have grown red hot. From the major decision-makers in the four Allied Governments who ran the former Nazi capital, right down to the spooks, soldiers, crooks, and civilians at street level, he has an unerring sense for the revealing incident and hitherto-untold story.” ―Andrew Roberts, author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny

“From the Yalta Conference to the birth of NATO, Checkmate in Berlin balances the sweep of history against a group of truly extraordinary personalities. Brilliantly written and completely absorbing, this is Milton’s masterpiece.”

―Anthony Horowitz, author of the #1 New York Times bestselling Alex Rider series