This book is an original study of the Royal Navy's response to the rise of the German navy under Hitler within the context of the ongoing debate about Anglo-German relations and the origins of the Second World War.

Drawing on a wide range of sources, the author casts new light on the diplomacy leading to the Anglo-German Naval Agreements of June 1935 and July 1937, and explores the crucial connections between naval intelligence, war planning and Admiralty policy.

The author argues that the Admiralty's response to the Nazi menace was far more rational and more complex than previous studies would suggest. The Admiralty's policy towards Germany was consistent with an elaborate programme that aimed to adjust the international naval balance to advance Britain's long-term prospects as the world's leading seapower. In fact, the Royal Navy had realistic and independent strategic grounds for its support of Prime Minister Chamberlain's policy of appeasement.