At the 1945 Yalta Conference, it was decided that Germany was to be carved up among the victorious powers—the United States, Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. Soon, though, the veneer of civility between the Western allies and the Soviets broke down, as rival ideologies turned the German capital Berlin into a battleground. While crafting portraits of the world leaders involved, Giles Milton introduces explosive American colonel Frank "Howlin' Mad" Howley, and his wily nemesis, General Alexander Kotikov, commandant of the Soviet sector. In this colorful tale, Milton offers new perspective on the first battle of the Cold War.