Vincent T. Fords manuscript contains an opening chapter which describes the history of missile development in the U.S. from 1918 to the 1950's. It also devotes a few early chapters to the 1947 to 1953 period when an unofficial, informal group, which he labels the kitchen cabinet, in Air Force Research and Development were working to promote ICBM development. Ford profiles these individuals and describes their efforts. The bulk of the manuscript covers the period from 1953 to 1957, and it illustrates the various individuals, committees, corporations, and agencies who worked to establish a crash program for ICBMs. Mr. Ford was working for Air Force Research and Development during this period, and he offers many personal insights into the different personalities involved in missile development and the influence they had on it. Some of the key personalities who are described by Ford include Theodore Von Karman, Trevor Gardner, James Killian, Donald Quarles, John Von Neumann, Charles C. Lauritsen, George Kistiakowsky, Jerome B. Wiesner, Edward Teller, Hyde Gillette, David Z. Beckler, and Charles E. Wilson.

Ford devotes considerable text to the Von Neumann Nuclear Weapons Committee, including details on its recruiting of members, meetings, reports, and recommendations. He also comments on the efforts of other government entities which played a role in ICBM development. These include the Advisory Group for Aeronautical Research and Development (AGARD), the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, the Office of Research and Development, Air Force, the Presidents Science Advisory Committee, and the Gardner Missiles Evaluation Committee. The efforts by Air Force R & D personnel and their allies to establish an accelerated Atlas project are described in detail. He also comments on the Gillette procedures for speeding up missile research and development.