Callinicus : A defence of chemical warfare

The book opens by confronting the lingering public dread of chemical weapons that grew out of World I propaganda. Its author, a chemist, admits a personal bias yet promises a measured assessment of poison gas as a military option. He sketches how pacifist sentiment has shaped political calculations and how the press continues to shape perception. The early chapters set the stage for a broader debate about war, morality, and scientific responsibility.

From there the author argues that war is likely to recur unless its root causes are studied with the same rigor applied to epidemic disease. He suggests that preparing for, rather than merely condemning, chemical warfare could give a nation a decisive edge when conflict inevitably arises. By framing chemical weapons as a strategic contingency, the work challenges readers to weigh ethical concerns against practical security. It remains a thought‑provoking snapshot of interwar attitudes toward modern combat.