Not One Inch

The conclusion of this book (the last chapter, which might be a good place to start if you're pressed for time) summarizes the content and attempts to draw some lessons, although “we could have done better” isn't necessarily helpful for policymakers. The book as a whole is a detailed account of US – Soviet/Russian wrestling over NATO expansion. The detail of who said what to whom is at times too much, but it is a fascinating glimpse into the relationships among the various world leaders, including, toward the end of the book, the rise of Putin. The book is highly relevant as we ponder the shifting now taking place in Europe as a result of Russian aggression in Ukraine, which has spurred Finland and Sweden as of this writing to apply for NATO membership.