Sighing with relief: M. Girard Dorsey: Holding their breath: how the allies confronted the threat of chemical warfare in World War II. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2023, 306 pp, $49.95 HB.

The book "Holding Their Breath: How the Allies Confronted the Threat of Chemical Warfare in World War II" by M. Girard Dorsey explores why chemical warfare was not widely used by the Allies during the Second World War. The author, a historian at the University of New Hampshire, examines the diplomatic and political factors that led to the avoidance of gas warfare, despite the potential for its use. The book highlights the influence of international agreements, military alliances, and national behavior in shaping the decision not to deploy chemical weapons. While the study has some methodological limitations, it provides valuable insights into the historical context and moral considerations surrounding chemical warfare during the war. [Extracted from the article]