Jennet Conant Libri

The gripping story of a chemical weapons catastrophe, its cover-up, and how one army doctor's discovery led to the development of chemotherapy.

"On the night of December 2, 1943, the Luftwaffe bombed a critical Allied port in Bari, Italy, sinking seventeen ships and killing over a thousand servicemen and hundreds of civilians. Caught in the surprise air raid was the John Harvey, an American Liberty ship carrying a top-secret cargo of 2,000 mustard bombs to be used in retaliation if the Germans resorted to gas warfare. After young sailors began suddenly dying with mysterious symptoms, Lieutenant Colonel Stewart Alexander, a doctor and chemical weapons expert, was dispatched to investigate. He quickly diagnosed mustard gas exposure, which both Churchill and Eisenhower denied. But Alexander's breakthrough observations about the toxic effects of mustard on white blood cells, as well as the heroic perseverance of Colonel Cornelius P. Rhoads--a researcher and doctor as brilliant as he was arrogant and self-destructive--were instrumental in ushering in a new era of cancer research led by the Sloan Kettering Institute."-- Provided by publisher

Set against the backdrop of World War II, the narrative follows a covert mission by British scientists who meet with American physicists to share vital military secrets. Central to this story is Alfred Lee Loomis, a wealthy Wall Street tycoon leading a dual life as a scientific innovator. Through extensive research and personal accounts, the book uncovers Loomis' hidden contributions to the war effort and his influential role in the development of nuclear technology, revealing a pivotal yet overlooked chapter in history.

Focusing on Julia and Paul Child's involvement with the Office of Strategic Services, the narrative explores their roles during the intense McCarthy-era spy hunt in the 1950s. It presents a vivid portrayal of the idealistic individuals recruited into the OSS, detailing their experiences in political warfare across distant locations. The book offers a unique glimpse into the lives of these citizen spies, highlighting the complexities and challenges they faced during a tumultuous period in American history.

Describes the covert intelligence operations of allied forces during World War II as experienced by wounded RAF pilot Roald Dahl, a patriot who used his charm and wits to infiltrate the upper reaches of Georgetown society and influence U.S. policy in favor of England.

The biography offers an insightful look into James B. Conant, a pivotal figure in shaping the nuclear age and the Cold War. Through the lens of his granddaughter, Jennet Conant, the narrative reveals his complexities and contributions, painting a vivid portrait of his influence during a transformative period in history.