In "Reflections on the Cuban Missile Crisis," Raymond Garthoff embarks on a meticulous examination of one of the most perilous moments in global history through the lens of both a historian and a participant. Drawing upon an expanded trove of sources, including unprecedented access to Soviet and Cuban insights, Garthoff revises and enriches our understanding of the events that brought the world to the brink of nuclear catastrophe in 1962. With a narrative enriched by the new openness of glasnost and the author's own involvement in the crisis deliberations, this book transcends traditional analyses, offering a nuanced exploration of the crisis, its aftermath, and its indelible impact on international relations. Garthoff's analysis illuminates previously obscured facets of the confrontation, revealing for the first time the extent of Moscow's military presence in Cuba and challenging long-held assumptions about the crisis's dynamics. The book not only fills in critical gaps in our knowledge but also provides a profound exploration of the "afterlife" of the crisis, pondering its lessons and legacy. With an approach that merges memoir, historical analysis, and political science, "Reflections on the Cuban Missile Crisis" stands as a seminal work, essential for anyone seeking to comprehend the complexities of Cold War diplomacy, the intricacies of U.S.-Soviet interactions, and the pathways to avoiding future global confrontations.