The Step into History series presents useful overviews of major topics in American history. Each book has 30 4-page chapters that follows a pattern: the first spread features a relevant captioned photo or quote, with the chapter name and a single sentence on the facing page; the second spread features a full page of text paired with a large illustration. Although each chapter is short, the concise, pertinent discussions and well-chosen illustrations are effective. Most of the pictures are archival photos that convey the look and the tone of events discussed. Furthermore, the uncrowded format will appeal to readers who are intimidated by solid blocks of text. The Cold War looks at the U.S. and Soviet Union from 1947 to 1991, exploring their rivalry and its repercussions. This attractive series provides a broad historical context for its topics and can be used as a springboard for more in-depth research.