Drawing on revealing new research, this richly informative volume is the definitive concise introduction to the crisis that took the world to the brink of nuclear war. • 73 alphabetically organized entries that offer valuable insights into the leaders, events, and ideas that shaped the Cuban Missile Crisis • More than a dozen expert contributors representing all countries involved in the crisis • Seven primary source documents, including President Kennedy's speech to the American public and letters exchanged between Premier Kruschev and Fidel Castro • Biographies of major figures, including the Kennedys, Nikita Khrushchev, Fidel Castro, Adlai Stevenson, and Valerian Zorin • A thorough chronology outlining all key events before, during, and after the crisis • A comprehensive bibliography on the crisis, including a significant number of recent publications that have brought new understanding of the conflict to light