  The basic properties of the C-metric are well known. It describes a pair of
causally separated black holes which accelerate in opposite directions under
the action of forces represented by conical singularities. However, these
properties can be demonstrated much more transparently by making use of
recently developed coordinate systems for which the metric functions have a
simple factor structure. These enable us to obtain explicit
Kruskal-Szekeres-type extensions through the horizons and construct
two-dimensional conformal Penrose diagrams. We then combine these into a
three-dimensional picture which illustrates the global causal structure of the
space-time outside the black hole horizons. Using both the weak field limit and
some invariant quantities, we give a direct physical interpretation of the
parameters which appear in the new form of the metric. For completeness,
relations to other familiar coordinate systems are also discussed.
