This collection of studies is one of the most lucid and sober analyses of the dangers of nuclear war, which mankind is facing. Written by natural and social scientists, the book should be read both by statesmen and by the general public. Looking towards the end of the century it makes clear the growing dangers. Avoiding complacency on the other hand, and prophecies of doom on the other, it contains a message of hope and an appeal to wisdom.

Franklyn Griffiths is a professor emeritus of international politics and the George Ignatieff Chair Emeritus of Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Toronto, from which he retired in 2001. Policy analysis and advocacy have been and remain his lifelong professional priorities. He is currently writing a book on the incivilities of Western civilization.

Rob Huebert is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary and associate director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies. He was a senior research fellow of the Canadian International Council in 2008–9 and is a fellow with Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute. He publishes on the issues of Canadian Arctic security, maritime security, and Canadian defence and comments on Canadian security and Arctic issues in the national and international media.

P. Whitney Lackenbauer is an associate professor and chair of the Department of History at St. Jerome’s University (University of Waterloo). He is a fellow with the Canadian Defence & Foreign Affairs Institute, the Arctic Institute of North America, and the Laurier Centre for Military and Strategic Disarmament Studies. He is the (co-)author or editor of twelve books.

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John C. Polanyi is a professor in the Department of Chemistry, University of Toronto.

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Pierre Elliott Trudeau (1919-2000) was leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and fifteenth Prime Minister of Canada.

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