Prologue: The unfolding of the problem. The recovery of the Labour party ; The rejection of Lloyd George ; The function of the League of Nations. -- Pt. I. The new departure. The failure of the League of Nations ; Chamberlain and Eden ; Chamberlain and Hitler. -- Pt. II. The opposition. The Labour party ; Eden, Churchill and their allies. -- Pt. III. The effect. Halifax ; Chamberlain, Churchill, and Hitler ; The declaration of war. -- Pt. IV. The politics of easy victory. Chamberlain and the war ; The fall of Chamberlain. -- Conclusion. -- Appendix: The actors