Booklist Review

Two British journalists with expertise in chemical and biological warfare offer a serviceable history of Japanese efforts in germ warfare during World War II. The authors cover early research, the involvement of much of the Japanese scientific community, the tests on Chinese, American, and British POWs, and the strong suspicion that many of the Japanese involved with the program, later found guilty of "war crimes," were offered amnesty by the Americans in return for assistance with their programs. Considering its controversial topic, this volume avoids hysterical pronouncements and conspiracy-mongering. For larger World War II collections. Notes; to be indexed. --Roland Green