{"product_id":"orphan-of-the-cold-war-the-inside-story-of-the-collapse","title":"Orphan of the Cold War: The Inside Story of the Collapse","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Orphan of the Cold War the reviewer finds a clear, personal account for readers interested in UN diplomacy and African post-colonial conflict. Dame Margaret Anstee writes from the vantage of the UN Special Representative and Head of Mission in Angola between February 1992 and June 1993, and the book's single biggest reason to buy is its firsthand, reflective perspective on why a major peace process unraveled. The narrative mixes personal experience with analysis, making it especially valuable for those who want an eyewitness take rather than a detached academic summary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFirsthand account:\u003c\/strong\u003e The author recounts her personal experiences as Special Representative of the Secretary-General, giving readers direct access to the decisions and dilemmas faced on the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInsider perspective on UN peacekeeping:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book analyzes the collapse of the Angolan peace process and extracts lessons applicable to future missions and policymakers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHuman-focused narrative:\u003c\/strong\u003e Interspersed with events, the book describes the sufferings of the Angolan people, providing human context behind political developments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical framing:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book situates post-independence Angola and its civil war within the larger story of decolonization after Portugal's democratization in 1975.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePioneering author:\u003c\/strong\u003e As the first woman to head a UN peacekeeping mission, the author's role adds a notable personal and institutional dimension to the narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for readers of \u003cstrong\u003einternational and world politics\u003c\/strong\u003e, students of peace studies, diplomats, and historians who value primary-source accounts of conflict resolution efforts. Practitioners interested in UN operations will appreciate the candid description of mission leadership and operational constraints.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose seeking a dense theoretical treatise or a broad survey of African history may want to look elsewhere; this is a memoir-style, mission-centered account rather than a comprehensive handbook or textbook on Angolan history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a rare \u003cstrong\u003eeyewitness account\u003c\/strong\u003e from the head of a UN peacekeeping mission, with practical insight into decision-making.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCombines narrative and analysis to explain factors behind the collapse of the peace process.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDraws attention to the human cost of the conflict, making political events more tangible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs a personal account, the book is focused on the author's perspective and may not cover every external viewpoint in depth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrphan of the Cold War: The Inside Story of the Collapse of the Angolan Peace Process, 1992-93\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eM. Anstee (Dame Margaret Anstee)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRole described\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecial Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UN mission in Angola\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage period\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFebruary 1992 to June 1993\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFocus area\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCollapse of the Angolan peace process and UN peacekeeping lessons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContext\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePost-independence Angola following Portugal's democratization in 1975\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOrphan of the Cold War is a valuable purchase for readers seeking a candid, operational account of UN peacekeeping in Angola and the human consequences of a failed peace process. Its firsthand perspective and reflective analysis make it good value for students, practitioners, and anyone interested in the practical challenges of conflict resolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the book come from an eyewitness perspective?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The author writes as the UN Special Representative and Head of Mission in Angola during 1992-93, recounting direct experiences.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat period of Angolan history does it cover?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe narrative focuses on events from February 1992 to June 1993 and places them in the wider context of post-1975 independence struggles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this a policy manual or a memoir?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe book is memoir-style with analytical passages on why the peace process collapsed and the lessons for UN peacekeeping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"M. Anstee","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48778659725531,"sku":"0333664469","price":158.3,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/51TjN5sm6iL._SL1360.jpg?v=1778928169","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/orphan-of-the-cold-war-the-inside-story-of-the-collapse","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}