The Secret State: Whitehall and the Cold War

By Peter Hennessy

Book Overview

As Cold War Britain came under the terrifying shadow of nuclear destruction, secret government plans were underway to ensure the survival of a chosen few . . . Peter Hennessy's sensational book draws on recently declassified intelligence and war-planning documents, and interviews with key officials to reveal a chilling behind-the-scenes picture of the corridors of power when the world teetered on the brink of disaster. Who would have gone underground with the Prime Minister in the event of an attack? Where is this secret bunker? Under what circumstances would we retaliate? Where were the Soviet's UK targets thought to be? Whose finger was - and is - on the button? And what kind of world would have been left when the dust had settled and 'breakdown' had occurred . . .'

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141008350
• ISBN13: 9780141008356
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: Penguin Group
• Length: 287 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.7"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

Another Good Book about Cold War Plans

This book is a must for anyone interested in Cold War nuclear planning. For me the best part was the Prime Minister's hand written instructions to the submarine ballistic missile forces. Anyone who has read "Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier", "War Plan UK" by Duncan Campbell and "The Doomsday Scenario" by Douglas Keeney will enjoy this book.