Chemical and Biological Warfare: A Reference Handbook

I am doing research into how poison gas furthered the German war effort and although this book does not focus specifically on my topic, it was extremely helpful for a definitive overview of the use of poison gas during World War I.

The first introductory work of its kind to survey the fundamentals, policies, and strategies of chemical and biological warfare from 1915 to the present. From Agent Orange to anthrax, chemical and biological warfare is often viewed as an abhorrent, immoral weapon abused by evil despots of weaker nations. Why, then, did the U.S. government, now focused on eliminating "weapons of mass destruction," sponsor the development and stockpiling of chemical and biological weapons between 1918 and 1990?Chemical and Biological Warfare: A Reference Handbook surveys the history of modern chemical and biological weapons, from their genesis on World War I battlefields through their World War II deployment and Cold War research and development to present-day policies and strategies. Casting aside moral issues and scare tactics, this uniquely unbiased reference explores both sides of this highly controversial topic, explaining the utility, necessity, and protected use of such weapons as well as the ramifications of their abuse. From delivery systems (bombs, missiles, rockets) and defense methods (detection devices, protective suits, decontaminants) to the deployment of such weapons in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, students and concerned citizens alike will discover the real reasons behind U.S. support for chemical and biological warfare. Features - Includes a detailed chronology of key chemical and biological warfare issues from 1915 to the present- Provides a glossary of key military chemical and biological warfare terms used in the text Highlights - Goes beyond a simple moralistic discussion to present a balanced analysis of these weapons and to show how the government's perspective has changed over time- Explains why chemical and biological weapons are not "doomsday devices" like nuclear weapons- Presents current strategies and policies to address the threat from other nations' continued development of these weapons