Kennedy and the Berlin Wall tells the full story of the Berlin Crisis that riveted international attention and brought the world to the brink of nuclear warfare as Soviet and American tanks opposed each other on the streets of Berlin. Drawing on the author's own experience as an American diplomat in Germany during the period, as well as on recently opened Soviet, East German, and American archives, Smyser tells the story of how the fate of a city affected national politics as well as geopolitics. This compelling mix of documentary resources and direct experience of diplomatic negotiations makes the book unique. The author has a keen sense of the critical moment and draws incisive portraits of the politicians and diplomats involved in this drama—most importantly, the two main actors, Kennedy and Khrushchev, but also DeGaulle for the French, Macmillan for the British, and Konrad Adenauer for the West Germans, as well as such critical career diplomats as Dean Rusk and Andrei Gromyko.

"His observations, plus those of other individuals in directly involved in the events, and his extensive research in secondary and primary sources led to this major contribution to understanding Cold War history. . . . Highly recommended." - CHOICE

"Smyser uses newly-available archival documents from Washington, Moscow and other world capitals to craft a detailed history of a pivotal Cold War episode." - Publishers Weekly

"Portraying Kennedy as a work in progress who evolved into a thoughtful statesman with a healthy mistrust of military and diplomatic advisors, Smyser delivers an impressive narrative that will hold the attention of general readers and scholars." - Library Journal

"A revealing, surprising, and riveting account of this prolonged crisis under the Kennedy administration. Smyser excels particularly in his portrayals of the key political figures. . . . An excellent addition to our understanding of a critical episode of the cold war." - Booklist

"Mr. Smyser observed the Berlin crisis from his vantage point in the US Mission to Berlin 1960–64, serving under General Lucius D. Clay. And it is Gen. Clay who emerges as the hero of the standoff, persuading Mr. Kennedy not to yield to Soviet demands. . . . Mr. Smyser considered Berlin to be a valuable learning experience for the young president. This is a good read on a crisis even more dangerous than the Cuban missiles." - The Washington Times

"This detail-rich account of that success in Berlin makes an important contribution to any analysis of Kennedy's short-lived presidency. History lovers will love this book." - The Tampa Tribune

"Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the events shaping its creation have strong historical lessons to impart to posterity—making Kennedy and the Berlin Wall a worthy addition to both public and college library history shelves." - Wisconsin Bookwatch