"Given the dearth of scholarship on the Phoney War, this book examines the early months of World War II when Winston Churchill's ability to lead Britain in the fight against the Nazis was being tested. Graham T. Clews explores how Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, proposed to fight this new world war, with particular attention given to his attempts to impel the Royal Navy, the British War Cabinet, and the French, toward a more aggressive prosecution of the conflict"-- Provided by publisher.

U-boats and the protection of trade -- Catherine -- New construction and Churchill's inshore squadron : a new perspective on Churchill and the air-sea debate -- Fighting the war : the War Cabinet and its committees -- "Don't hurt them, dear!" : air policy, the French, and Royal Marine -- Lines of least resistance: Narvik and the Finnish option -- Norway, Part 1 : a failure of preemption -- Norway, Part 2 : fighting the campaign -- First Lord to Prime Minister.