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Chemical Warrior: Syria, Salisbury and Saving Lives at War
GRIPPING, MOVING AND INSPIRING: the remarkable life of a world-leading expert in chemical weapons defence.
For thirty years, Hamish has served and volunteered in conflict zones around the world. As the army's foremost chemical weapons expert, he built a unique first-hand understanding of how to prevent attacks and train doctors on the frontline - saving countless lives in the process.
After suffering near-death experiences time and again, Hamish discovered he had a ticking time bomb in his own chest: a heart condition called Sudden Death Syndrome that could kill him at any time. But with a new awareness for the fragility of life, he fought harder to make his count.
Despite facing extraordinary personal danger, Hamish has unearthed evidence of multiple chemical attacks in Syria and continues to advise the government at the highest level, including after the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury. Lifting the lid on Hamish's unique world of battlefield expertise and humanitarian work, Chemical Warrior is a thrilling story of bravery and compassion.
For thirty years, Hamish has served and volunteered in conflict zones around the world. As the army's foremost chemical weapons expert, he built a unique first-hand understanding of how to prevent attacks and train doctors on the frontline - saving countless lives in the process.
After suffering near-death experiences time and again, Hamish discovered he had a ticking time bomb in his own chest: a heart condition called Sudden Death Syndrome that could kill him at any time. But with a new awareness for the fragility of life, he fought harder to make his count.
Despite facing extraordinary personal danger, Hamish has unearthed evidence of multiple chemical attacks in Syria and continues to advise the government at the highest level, including after the 2018 Novichok poisoning in Salisbury. Lifting the lid on Hamish's unique world of battlefield expertise and humanitarian work, Chemical Warrior is a thrilling story of bravery and compassion.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2020
8 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 20, 2024
Difficult to put down
Read this very quickly. Having driven fuel trucks in Iraq for 11 years I was fascinated from th first page.
Well written, covers the last 20years of conflict including Syria and Iraq. DBG as he refers to.himself, paints a terrifying picture of attitudes to chemical warfare. The book covers the Salisbury attack a precursor to today's assault on Ukraine.
Assad of Syria, your jail cell is waiting.
Read this very quickly. Having driven fuel trucks in Iraq for 11 years I was fascinated from th first page.
Well written, covers the last 20years of conflict including Syria and Iraq. DBG as he refers to.himself, paints a terrifying picture of attitudes to chemical warfare. The book covers the Salisbury attack a precursor to today's assault on Ukraine.
Assad of Syria, your jail cell is waiting.
January 2, 2025
Synopsis:
All that author (DBG) ever wanted to be was the commander of a tank regiment. However, he was given the "dirty detail" of commanding a chemical and biological warfare (CBRN) regiment, and embraced the opportunity. He became intoxicated (sorry) with the world of chemical weapons as a senior officer and later as a civilian, working tirelessly in Iraq, Syria and latterly close to home in Salisbury to fight these weapons.
Critical analysis:
DBG is more of an advocate than an expert. You need to know the facts to be an expert, and the book has a few mistakes when it comes to the technical aspects of chemical weapons. It could have used a once-over from a technical expert. Like all advocates/experts, DBG tends to see everything through the lens of chemical weapons, even when not appropriate. Having said this, the man is clearly a hugely effective advocate who can pull together important people in diverse fields to work toward the common goal of fighting chemical weapons. He is a leader with the soft skills to make a real difference.
Overall evaluation:
"Chemical Warrior" reveals some deep truths about military life. In conflict, even seemingly minor incidents can have a terrifying effect in the moment or can leave deep psychological scars. The actions (or more appropriately, the inactions) of the West against the Assad regime will leave consequences for a long time. Finally, this book starkly describes the personal, physical, and familial sacrifices which people in the military must make. If you have any interest in chemical weapons, Syria, or military affairs in general, then this is a great book to read.
Full review here
All that author (DBG) ever wanted to be was the commander of a tank regiment. However, he was given the "dirty detail" of commanding a chemical and biological warfare (CBRN) regiment, and embraced the opportunity. He became intoxicated (sorry) with the world of chemical weapons as a senior officer and later as a civilian, working tirelessly in Iraq, Syria and latterly close to home in Salisbury to fight these weapons.
Critical analysis:
DBG is more of an advocate than an expert. You need to know the facts to be an expert, and the book has a few mistakes when it comes to the technical aspects of chemical weapons. It could have used a once-over from a technical expert. Like all advocates/experts, DBG tends to see everything through the lens of chemical weapons, even when not appropriate. Having said this, the man is clearly a hugely effective advocate who can pull together important people in diverse fields to work toward the common goal of fighting chemical weapons. He is a leader with the soft skills to make a real difference.
Overall evaluation:
"Chemical Warrior" reveals some deep truths about military life. In conflict, even seemingly minor incidents can have a terrifying effect in the moment or can leave deep psychological scars. The actions (or more appropriately, the inactions) of the West against the Assad regime will leave consequences for a long time. Finally, this book starkly describes the personal, physical, and familial sacrifices which people in the military must make. If you have any interest in chemical weapons, Syria, or military affairs in general, then this is a great book to read.
Full review here
February 15, 2024
Given the subject matter, this book is a surprisingly quick read. A man who really wanted to drive tanks discovers a passion for understanding and neutralising chemical weapons, and how his life changed after that: gathering evidence and trying to prove the identity of the perpetrators. One can only feel sorry for his family as he flew off to help with wherever the latest chemical attack took place, knowing he was going into conflict zones where he wasn't welcome by the oppressors. One of the attacks took place in his home city, one which we remember well due to press coverage at the time. The last chapter is called "Surviving a Chemical or Biological attack" with brief descriptions of the known substances he has worked with, which although interesting probably wouldn't help as most of us wouldn't be aware we had been targetted.
July 6, 2021
Really interesting account of one man’s career and specialisation in chemical warfare… not my usual read at all but I found it very eye opening…. In places I was shocked at the damage certain chemicals can do…. At parts I was disgusted at the lack of action to support nations like Syria… but all in all, a well written, attention grabbing read
January 5, 2022
Given the seriousness of the subject, this is a remarkably easy read. I didn't warm to the author till very late in the book, but he has had a remarkable career and has been engaged in trying to make the world a safer place, so I doff my hat to him. The book is very sobering reading.
April 27, 2025
Very readable snippets from the life of one of the most public faces of UK CBRN warfare commentary, and someone who has definitely walked the walk as well as talking the talk. Would have been 5 stars except i wish it had contained a little more depth in parts.
October 24, 2025
well written but absolutely terrifying. the compassion for the Syrian people is easy to see throughout. have learnt a lot from this memoir about conflicts and events which didn't last long or have significant impact in the global news at the time.
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November 20, 2020This is an exceptional opportunity to read about a subject most people sadly ignore. Read this book - it will open your eyes to a rather unpleasant side of life you simply should NOT ignore.
July 28, 2021
An eye opening account of some of the atrocities taking place in Syria, which as DBG writes ‘No one wants to know’.
September 28, 2021
read but didn't really finish, didn't like the read so much, but the story is laudable of course
March 19, 2025
Glad I read this one - interesting insight into a career in the army and with chemical weapons and humanitarian aid. Very easy to read and an eye-opener
May 21, 2025
This was a great memoir of someone who definately puts others before themself.
June 17, 2021
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. He explains himself that he’s no Shakespeare and I don’t believe that was his aim of this memoir. It’s truly insightful, if a little frightening. Very similar to David Nott War Doctor in talks of their humanitarian desire to help those in Syria. It was a random buy from Tesco and I will be recommending to anyone who asks.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews