In this book the authors focus on the description of the physical nature of cleavage fracture to offer scientists, engineers and students a comprehensive physical model which vividly describes the cleavage microcracking processes operating on the local (microscopic) scale ahead of a defect. The descriptions of the critical event and the criteria for cleavage fracture will instruct readers in how to control the cleavage processes and optimize microstructure to improve fracture toughness of metallic materials.