The order of presentation of the episodes is as follows: "The Road to Total War," which traces how developments have led mankind to the brink of total destruction by nuclear war -- "Anybodys Son Will Do," which chronicles the making of soldiers from green recruits -- "The Profession of Arms," which profiles the professional soldier -- "The Deadly Game of Nations," explores the need of nations to keep armies and fight wars -- "Keeping the Old Game Alive," which documents NATOs conventional war games -- "Notes on Nuclear War," which follows the development of the arms race -- "Goodbye War," which looks at why efforts to achieve lasting peace have failed.

Look at the way in which both the technology and the tactics of submarine warfare were adapted and developed during the Cold War, and how boats like the USS Virginia and the Russian Akula are todays most powerful and deadly naval units.