An overview : questions from the past -- The civilian authority : from Roosevelt to Obama -- Control : from military to civilian -- Policy : hawk or dove? -- Strategies : cities or silos? -- Guidance : orders to the targeteers -- Intelligence : never trust the stuff -- Targeting : the process -- The SIOP : plan for destruction -- The scientists : contributions of technology -- The military : inter-service rivalry -- The politicians : nukes--political or military? -- Educating the public : an unfinished task -- Arms control : who needs it? -- The future : what is next?