"A. J.P. Taylor (1906-90), one of the greatest historians of the twentieth century, initially established his reputation by his work in diplomatic history. This included his magisterial The Struggle for Mastery in Europe, 1848-1918 (1954) and The Origins of the Second World War (1961), both of which have remained in print." "This collection brings together a rich selection of his essays and reviews in international history, only one of which (on Trieste) has been reprinted before. The collection includes many examples of his most lively writing, often controversial, yet usually full of insight."--Jacket.