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History General

Avoiding Armageddon

Canadian Military Strategy and Nuclear Weapons, 1950-1963

by (author) Andrew Richter

Publisher
UBC Press
Initial publish date
Oct 2007
Category
General, General, Canada
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780774808897
    Publish Date
    Jul 2003
    List Price
    $34.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780774808880
    Publish Date
    Oct 2002
    List Price
    $95.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9780774850360
    Publish Date
    Oct 2007
    List Price
    $125.00

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

Drawing on previously classified government records, Richter reveals that Canadian defence officials independently came to strategic understandings of the most critical issues of the nuclear age regarding the use of force in resolving disputes. Canadian appreciation of deterrence, arms control, and strategic stability differed conceptually from the US models. Similarly, Canadian thinking on the controversial issues of air defence and the domestic acquisition of nuclear weapons was primarily influenced by decidedly Canadian interests. This book illustrates Canada’s considerable latitude for independent defence thinking while providing key historical information that helps make sense of the contemporary Canadian defence debate.

About the author

Contributor Notes

Andrew Richter is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, University of Windsor.

Editorial Reviews

Avoiding Armageddon is a well-researched study using recently released archival material that examines, in the defence and security context a very turbulent period in Canada's history. Richter's study ... is well-written, easy to understand, and logically organized ... Reading this book is time well spent.

Canadian Military Journal, Spring 2003