HELLFIRE BOYS The Untold History of Soldiers, Scientists, and America's First Race for Weapons of Mass Destruction

Allan Robertson ably narrates this detailed account of how the U.S. Army quickly advanced from having no gas warfare capability to having lethal capability during WWI. Emery's history of the birth of what is now the Army's Chemical Corps describes combat action in France, espionage, research, production of lethal gas throughout the United States, and political games played within the War Department and other federal agencies. The author sees in all of this the birth of industrial chemistry as well as the modern military-industrial complex, which is propped up by academia. Robertson has a suitably expressive, resonant baritone that is pleasing to the ear and a soft delivery that does not affect a different voice or accent for quotes or dialogue. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2018]