The Selected Works of George R. Lindsey
Operational Research, Strategic Studies, and Canadian Defence in the Cold War
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2019
By George R. Lindsey
Edited by Matthew S. Wiseman
During a government career that spanned nearly the whole of the Cold War, nuclear physicist Dr George Lindsey (1920-2011) gained a reputation as a leading defence scientist and military strategist for Canada’s Defence Research Board. Having influenced Canadian policy in such important areas as air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and the militarization of space, Lindsey’s writings spanning his career with the Department of National Defence, shed light not only on one of Canada’s most influential civil servants of the Cold War era, but also on the inner-workings of the Canadian defence department during the nuclear age.
This book provides full access to a wealth of valuable, previously classified, historical material regarding the scientific and technical aspects of Canadian defence and national security in the Cold War. Lindsey’s writings clarify Canada’s approach to the strategic issues of the nuclear age, while his first-hand experience is valuable for understanding the role and structure of the postwar Canadian defence establishment.
Reviews of The Selected Works of George R. Lindsey
“George R. Lindsey was, for baby-boomer scholars who encountered him, an impressive and somewhat mysterious figure. Doctor Lindsey, as we invariably addressed him, sat just next to the heart of the Canadian defence establishment, and when he chose to speak he was always worth listening to. Shedding light on operational analysis, this book unpacks Lindsey’s sharp eye and shrewd analytical skills on the major defence issues of the period.”
– Joseph Jockel, Department of Canadian Studies, St Lawrence University
“This is an excellent review of George R. Lindsey’s long and distinguished career. Discussing key historical developments and subjects, including nuclear weapons and strategy, NATO history and strategy, operational research, and Canada-US defence relations, Lindsey’s writing is consistently clear and precise.”
– Andrew Richter, Department of Political Science, University of Windsor
Matthew S. Wiseman 