... a masterly synthesis of the contemporary international history of the entire globe. The clarity of Bell's writing style enhances a work of extraordinary scope.

John Lukacs

'Bell's magisterial work is unique. No such book, encompassing the development and the history of global international relations since 1945, exists. It is a wide synthesis, encyclopedic in its contents, while its main quality appears through the lucid and direct style of its author. Its practical merits are such as to render it particularly applicable as a basic text for any college course dealing with International Relations or with International History since 1945.'

John Lukacs

'The World Since 1945 is exceptionally useful: it amounts to a well-designed bridge leading from a - relatively - older order of things toward a very new world.'

The National Interest

'The virtues and usefulness of this book are very evident. It is sure to be a useful text.'

English Historical Review