The Eleventh Plague: The Politics of Biological and Chemical Warfare [Paperback]

Leonard A. Cole (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1998

The Eleventh Plague deals with a terrifying and compelling subject: biological and chemical warfare. Using historical and contemporary examples, Cole explains what biological and chemical weapons are, how they are developed and tested, and what their effects can be. He vividly describes the very real threat that Iraq would use chemical weapons in the Gulf War - real enough that every man, woman, and child in Israel had to wear a gas mask. He also analyzes the possibility that the so-called Gulf War syndrome may have been due to biological or chemical weapons, a possibility that federal investigations have yet to confirm or disprove. Cole lucidly describes the wide range of possible responses to the threat of biological or chemical warfare. But every expert admits that absolute protection may be impossible. Materials can be easy to get, even easier to transport, and virtually impossible to trace. The Eleventh Plague arms us with a frightening knowledge. What do recent political and technical developments suggest for the future? And how will we fight this increasingly ominous, deadly plague?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At a time when the reach of terrorism threatens more countries than ever, this provocative analysis of the debate on the future of chemical and biological weapons delivers a strong wake-up call. Cole (Elements of Risk, etc.), an adjunct professor of political science at Rutgers University, begins by surveying the U.S. Army's testing of these weapons in the 1950s and '60s on unsuspecting civilian populations, including aerial spraying over cities such as Minneapolis and St. Louis. He then covers issues relating to the Middle East, especially the worldwide failure to condemn Iraq's use of chemical weapons during its long war with Iran?a failure, Cole avers, that encouraged Saddam Hussein to continue his aggressive moves. Finally, Cole looks at what he calls "new challenges," such as the 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo, the problems inherent in verifying compliance with various treaties and the erosion of moral outrage over continued development of these weapons. He also examines the problem of how to defend against chemical and biological weapons, citing Israel's fears during the Iraqi attacks in 1991 and exploring what he sees as America's unpreparedness for attacks by these weapons. Cole ultimately finds that "the compromise of moral principles has led to a greater insecurity"?a message that may be painful to hear, but that, thanks to his closely reasoned and ethically astute work, has now been stated loud and clear. Author tour.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Chemical and biological warfare (CBW) is not new, nor is Cole's basic story line: all weapons cause a "conflict between moral behavior and national security." Cole (political science, Rutgers Univ.) argues his view in three parts. First, by examining through official U.S. Army files the history of CBW testing, he highlights the extent of U.S. efforts. Next he claims that the world allowed Iraq to develop a CBW capability that almost led to a catastrophe. Finally, he raises the specter of CBW terrrorism and the urgent need for a counterproliferation treaty. Cole jumps back and forth almost randomly; is this a book about chemicals or biological agents? Like the biblical plagues alluded to in the title, Cole believes that CBW is an ominous punishment brought on humankind by its own moral shortcomings. So what's new? For academic and larger public collections.?John J. Yurechko, Georgetown Univ., Washington, D.C.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: W. H. Freeman (April 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0716733013
• ISBN-13: 978-0716733010
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,787,275 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant, well-crafted book about an intriguing subject., September 10, 1999

By 

H. Karlen (New Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eleventh Plague: The Politics of Biological and Chemical Warfare (Hardcover)

I would be more at ease if the President of the United States were writing this review instead of someone who has the influence of a water bug. In The Eleventh Plague, Leonard Cole has managed, without hysteria or banal melodrama, to write of the frightening dangers that humankind face in this post cold war era.

The Eleventh Plague is a brilliantly crafted book devoid of the scientific gibberish one comes to associate with such works.

I would strongly recommend The Eleventh Plague to any thoughtful reader who wishes to gain special insights into the nature of the biological and chemical weapon development that currently exists on our planet.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Readable, interesting, factual, October 23, 2003

By 

"drspstone" (Springfield, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eleventh Plague: The Politics of Biological and Chemical Warfare (Hardcover)

I was shocked by the "rant" of a previous reviewer. I found this book to be fascinating, as easy a read as many of the fictional Chem/Bio Warfare books, but absolutely factual. The hardcover edition on my shelf has been read by every member of my household, and has led to some interesting discussions - read it for yourself!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great thought provoking book, October 15, 2003

By 

Teri "a realist" (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Eleventh Plague: The Politics of Biological and Chemical Warfare (Paperback)

The Eleventh Plague is a great introduction to biological and chemical warfare. It is written in nontechnical language for the average layman.

The book gives a thorough overview of the history world as well as of the U.S. biological and chemical warfare program, and the politics of US leaders in the 1991 Gulf War. Cole discusses the importance of international agreements that ban chemical/ biological weapons, but he masterfully illustrates that treaties alone are not enough.

Altogether, The Eleventh Plague is a compelling book. I recommend it to anyone interested in chem/biological weapons history and policy. A great read!