Britain and the H-Bomb [Hardcover]

This book, written with unique access to official archives, tells the secret story of Britain's H-bomb - the scientific and strategic background, the government's policy decision, the work of the remarkable men who created the bomb, the four weapon trials at a remote Pacific atoll in 1957-58, and the historic consequences.List of Plates Foreword by Lawrence Freedman Preface PART I: SETTING THE AGENDA Stellar Forces The First Superbomb Project: The United States The Second Superbomb Project: The Soviet Union PART II: BRITAIN AND THE THERMONUCLEAR QUESTION What Must Britain Do? A General Instruction from the Government PART III: BRITAIN'S RESPONSE Aldermaston and the Weaponers The Megaton Mission Captain Cook's Coral Island Racing Against Time PART IV: THE PACIFIC TRIALS The First Trial: Grapple 'We Shall Have To Do It All Again': Grapple X Britain's Biggest Explosion: Grapple Y Mission Accomplished: Grapple Z PART V: A SPECIAL NUCLEAR RELATIONSHIP The Great Prize Some Questions and Answers Appendices Notes and References Select Bibliography Index

'Lorna Arnold...is particulary successful in making the scientific issues of the nuclear project accessible to non-technical readers such as students in history, international relations and politics and she provides a highly informative account of a very important phase in Britain's nuclear history.' - Dan Keohane, Keele University

'...an excellent book that sheds needed light on the world's third thermonuclear power.' - Jack M. Holl, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists

'Britain and the H-Bomb tells the tale of the men who developed Britain's thermonuclear device through the drama of the tests in the Pacific. It does so with clarity and skill.' - Stuart Croft, Nature

'Britain and the H-Bomb is a valuable contribution to the history of the arms race, and deserves a wide readership.' - Peter Gissing, University of Sydney