The book looks at the ways in which the Northern Department of the Foreign Office approached matters pertaining to Finland in the years 1938-1940, concentrating on the particular issues of the proposed refortification of the Åland Islands, Finnish rearmament and aid to Finland during the Winter War with the Soviet Union.

At the beginning of this period, the Northern Department officials aimed at giving support to Finland while, at the same time, attempting to create an environment where Finland and the Soviet Union could reach agreement, thus keeping Finland out of the German sphere of influence.