Research Catalog

Title

Pathogens for war : biological weapons, Canadian life scientists, and North American biodefence / Donald Avery.

Author

Avery, Donald, 1938-

Publication

Toronto : University of Toronto Press, c2013.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

410 p. : ill.; 23 cm.

Summary

• "Pathogens for War explores how Canada and its allies have attempted to deal with the threat of germ warfare, one of the most fearful weapons of mass destruction, since the Second World War. In addressing this subject, distinguished historian Donald Avery investigates the relationship between bioweapons, poison gas, and nuclear devices, as well as the connection between bioattacks and natural disease pandemics. Avery emphasizes the crucially important activities of Canadian biodefence scientists - beginning with Nobel Laureate Frederick Banting - at both the national level and through cooperative projects within the framework of an elaborate alliance system.
• Delving into history through a rich collection of declassified documents, Pathogens for War also devotes several chapters to the contemporary challenges of bioterrorism and disease pandemics from both national and international perspectives. As such, readers will not only learn about Canada's secret involvement with biological warfare, but will also gain new insights into current debates about the peril of bioweapons - one of today's greatest threats to world peace."--pub. desc.

Subject

• Military Science > history
• History, 20th Century
• Communicable Disease Control > history
• Bioterrorism > prevention & control
• Biological Science Disciplines > history
• Biological Warfare Agents > history
• Biological weapons > Canada > History > 20th century
• Bioterrorism > Canada > History > 20th century
• Communicable diseases > Canada > History > 20th century
• Life scientists > Canada > History > 20th century
• Canada
• Canada > History > 20th century

Genre/Form

History

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references and index.

Processing Action (note)

• committed to retain

Contents

Chapter 1: Canada's Role in BW Planning in World War II -- Chapter 2: Bioweapons in the Early Cold War: Scientific Research, Civil Defence and International Controversies, 1946-54 -- Chapter 3: Realizing Its Potential: Operational Biological, Weapons and Alliance Cooperation, 1955-1969 -- Chapter 4: Canada and BW Disarmament: National and International Developments, 1968-1975 -- Chapter 5: Biodefence, Terrorism and Pandemics, 1970-85 -- Chapter 6: The Bioweapons Threat: States Parties and Terrorists, 1985-2000 -- Chapter 7: Biodefence After 9/11: New Directions & Old Problems.

ISBN

• 9780802089717 (bound)
• 0802089712 (bound)
• 9781442614246 (pbk.)
• 1442614242 (pbk.)

OCLC

824488941

Owning Institutions

Harvard Library