From the introduction: Turning points come not just to man, but also nations and even entire civilizations. To understand a moment in history one must begin by looking at the key steps that led up to it. No one studying the twentieth century neglects to consider the significance of World War II or the rivalries between Capitalism and Communism. Similarly, anyone trying to make sense of how the present day came into being must pay close attention to the critical events and crucial historical movements that gave it birth.