History Review, Issue: 53

Retha Warnicke casts a sceptical eye over a work of popular history, while Rob Johnson has enjoyed a new study of modern warfare.

Ian Cawood shows how British policy-makers adapted to the changing world after 1945.

Douglas James explains why so many in the Christian West answered Urban II’s call to arms following the Council of Clermont in 1095.

Vincent Barnett contrasts Marxist idealism with the changing economic reality in the USSR.

Judith Richards pinpoints the debts of Elizabeth I to her older half-sister.

Simon Henderson explains the significance of Hans and Sophie Scholl in the history of Nazi Germany.

Robin Evans assesses the contribution of the Welsh to the troubles of 1642-49.

Mark Rathbone considers why American trade unionism was so violent for much of 1865-1980 but so much more peaceful by the mid-twentieth century.

Andy Lawrence insists that we must think for ourselves to unravel one of the great historical conundrums.