In the light of post-Cold War developments, this book addresses central and poignant questions to Britain's decision to acquire, deploy and maintain a strategic nuclear deterrent. The scene is set with a resume of the historical background from the discovery of nuclear fission in early 1939 to the deployment of the V-bomber force in the 1950s. The development of nuclear strategy is thereafter summarised with emphasis on Britain's contribution to that process vis a vis the United States, and on the reasons for Britain's adoption of specific strategic doctrines. Robert Paterson then devotes the central portion of the book to detailed examinations of the decisions to procure and deploy Polaris and subsequently to replace it with Trident.