Anyone wishing to understand the United Kingdom's seven-decades-old relationship with nuclear weapons...should start with this excellent new book by leading British scholars John Baylis and Kristan Stoddart. The British Nuclear Experience provides a fascinating and highly accessible narrative of the somewhat peculiar story of both the day-to-day dynamics and the broader evolution of nuclear thinking and policy in the United ... Read moreKingdom.
Andrew Futter, H-Diplo
Baylis and Stoddart, in their jointly authored book, provide a much needed update to Lawrence Freedmans classic Britain and nuclear weapons (Macmillan, 1980), filling in the most recent 35 years.
Andrew Dorman, Kings College London, Conflict, security and defence
Meticulously reconstructed from once top secret documents, this is a brilliantly analysed case-study of strategic culture, decision-making processes and bureaucratic politics. It should be on every IR or Public Policy reading list!
Prof D.B.G Heuser, Department of Politics & IR, University of Reading
Britain was one of the founders of the nuclear club and is still an active member. John Baylis and Kristan Stoddart provide a unique and comprehensive history of why and how the country retained its nuclear status, drawing attention to the importance of a "deterrence habit of mind".
Professor Sir Lawrence Freedman, FBA, Professor of War Studies, Kings College London
Nuclear weapons policy-making runs like an irradiated thread throughout the history of Britain since 1940. There are no more skilful unearthers of that thread than John Baylis and Kristan Stoddart.
Professor Lord Peter Hennessy FBA, Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History, Queen Mary, University of London
Meticulously reconstructed from once top secret documents, this is a brilliantly analysed case-study of strategic culture, decision-making processes and bureaucratic politics. It should be on every IR or Public Policy reading list!
Prof D.B.G Heuser, Department of Politics & IR, University of Reading
Show Less