Shadows and substance : the Chemical Weapons Convention /

Since 1969 rumors and realities of draft chemical weapons accords have flickered about the horizon of world affairs, with political lightning illuminating the convention finally signed in January 1993 by 130 nation-states. No longer distant thunder, the treaty may precede a resurgence of chemical weapons use. Thus Shadows and Substance proffers a peculiarly timely perceptive guide to the context, process, content, and projected consequences of the new chemical arsenal ban. Its contributors hail from various sectors including academia, federal government and UN service, and industry. Their divergences in interest, worldview, and country of origin add depth of field to this thoughtful volume. Accessibility and clarity of exposition mark this work as a basic text for arms control and negotiations courses and as supplementary reading for US foreign policy, world politics, or cognate courses. Although a determined freshman or general reader interested in weapons control will be intrigued by the book, it will also extend new insights to more advanced students and negotiators because passim much is implied in few words. Historical tables on governmental use of toxic agents and the appendixes, which include chemistry of nerve gases and the text of the convention itself, are particularly valuable for prompt reference, and by themselves would merit an enthusiastic library acquisition recommendation. T. C. Smith; Mankato State University