Maurice Hankey, 1st Baron Hankey (1877–1963) was a British civil servant best known for his role as Secretary to the War Cabinet during the First World War. First published in 1945, this book was formed from the substance of the Lees Knowles Lectures delivered by Hankey at Trinity College, Cambridge during the same year. It presents a historical examination of British wartime governance from the beginning of the twentieth century, with the establishment of the Committee of Imperial Defence, up until the time of publication. Textual notes and a bibliography are also included. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in military history and the role of government in wartime.