Overview

Human experience with nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) warfare has been limited, especially in comparison to conventional forms of warfare. Our experience with nuclear warfare is confined to a period of less than one week during the end of World War II, when the United States successfully used two nuclear weapons against targets in Japan. The course of biological warfare and modern use of biological weapons are difficult to track owing to the difficulty of differentiating deliberate use from natural outbreaks. However, the keen potential of biological weapons in acts of terror was shown in the mass disruption caused in the fall 2001 experience in the U.S. with the release of anthrax through the American postal system. Chemical weapons have been used in a handful of conflicts since their introduction to modern warfare during World War I, most recently during the Iran-Iraq War during the 1980s. Despite this limited experience, NBC warfare continues to exert a certain fascination among states. The Historical Dictionary of Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare covers the development and use of NBC weapons as well as efforts to limit or control the use of these weapons through a chronology, a bibliography, an introductory essay, and dictionary entries. Over 500 cross-referenced dictionary entries provide a unique selection of terms related to NBC warfare, ranging from basic descriptions of substances used in NBC warfare to details on incidents and episodes where NBC weapons were used. Entries are structured around historical events, persons important to NBC warfare, countries where such weapons have been developed or used, and international treaties and treaty-related organizations.

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9780810854840

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Reviews

...a good complement for literature on NBCs, providing quick reference and general background materials. Recommended. CHOICE, January 2008, Vol. 48, No. 5 This volume provides crucial, objective definitions of the terms, sites, and principal figures related to nontraditional combat weapons...Recommended... Library Journal, 11/15/2007 well written and readable...a great resource for the reference collection of any academic library. American Reference Books Annual, March 2008 ...[the authors] have brought together an immense amount of information and presented it succinctly, accurately, and clearly...This fine, compact reference source will be very useful... Booklist, November 15, 2007 [This] informative dictionary would be useful to any library concerned with military aspects of history and current affairs. Social Sciences It is a work that scholars, policy makers, and arms controllers will want to keep on their desks for quick reference. The general non-specialist who wants to become knowledgeable about the history of these weapons will also find it useful. -- John E. van Courtland Moon (Emeritus) The Journal Of Military History Through a chronology, an introductory essay, and about 500 cross-referenced entries, this reference covers the development and deployment of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and efforts to limit or control them. Entries give information on historical events, influential individuals, countries that have developed or used such weapons, and international treaties and treaty-related organizations. The reference is accessible to readers in high school and up. Reference and Research Book News, November 2007

[This] informative dictionary would be useful to any library concerned with military aspects of history and current affairs.....--2008 Social Sciences

[This] informative dictionary would be useful to any library concerned with military aspects of history and current affairs.--2008 Social Sciences

...a good complement for literature on NBCs, providing quick reference and general background materials. Recommended. CHOICE, January 2008, Vol. 48, No. 5 This volume provides crucial, objective definitions of the terms, sites, and principal figures related to nontraditional combat weapons...Recommended... Library Journal, 11/15/2007 well written and readable...a great resource for the reference collection of any academic library. American Reference Books Annual (ARBA), March 2008 ...[the authors] have brought together an immense amount of information and presented it succinctly, accurately, and clearly...This fine, compact reference source will be very useful... Booklist, November 15, 2007 [This] informative dictionary would be useful to any library concerned with military aspects of history and current affairs. Social Sciences It is a work that scholars, policy makers, and arms controllers will want to keep on their desks for quick reference. The general non-specialist who wants to become knowledgeable about the history of these weapons will also find it useful. -- John E. van Courtland Moon (Emeritus) The Journal Of Military History Through a chronology, an introductory essay, and about 500 cross-referenced entries, this reference covers the development and deployment of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons and efforts to limit or control them. Entries give information on historical events, influential individuals, countries that have developed or used such weapons, and international treaties and treaty-related organizations. The reference is accessible to readers in high school and up. Reference and Research Book News, November 2007

Author Information

Benjamin C. Garrett serves as the Senior Scientist for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) in the FBI Laboratory. During his 32 year professional career, he has held various positions in industry and government supporting the defense and intelligence communities. John Hart is Head of the Chemical and Biological Warfare Programme of the Non-Proliferation and Export Control Project at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). He has worked for more than 10 years as a researcher in the arms control and disarmament field within academia and think tanks.

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