युद्ध जिवांचे: Yuddha Jivanche

by Girish Kuber

" A translation of Girish Kuber's Yuddha Jivanche, this book explores the history of biological and chemical warfare and weapons development. It takes the reader on a rollercoaster journey from historical times to the present. The Invisible Enemy opens our eyes to how multinational companies and developed nations are working to create some of the most dangerous viruses and biological weapons which can destroy humanity. Chemical and pharma companies have also been the producers of weapons of mass destruction and benefitted from it-be it BASF which produced chemical weapons in World War I, or ICI, the British chemical company which produced a chemical causing blindness. Sandoz, another company, produced LSD, which was part of a chemical warfare project. The British used opium to create drug addicts in the Afghan war. The Invisible Enemy is a timely reminder, and hopefully a wake-up call, to humankind that is fast hurtling towards its own destruction. "

Genres: Marathi, History

241 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 16, 2021

Reviews

[Dhananjay Chavan · Rating 5 out of 5]

सध्याच्या उध्दभवलेल्या संकटामुळे घरातून बाहेर पडायचं नाही म्हणून ऍमेझॉन वरून पुस्तक मागवलं आताचा vaccine हा शब्द मुळात आलाच कुठून, कुणी शोधून काढला याची एकदम तपशीलवार मांडणी आहे.
टॅमीफ्लू सारखे औषध आणि त्यामागचं अर्थकारण,राजकारण हे विविध अंगानी सांगितले आहे.एकूणच अश्या विषाणूमुळे कश्या मोठंमोठ्या केमिकल कंपन्यांचं किंबहुना पडद्यामागील राज्यकर्त्यांचं कसं भलं होतं हे समजावून सांगितलं आहे.
प्रत्येकानी सध्यस्थितीत हे आवर्जून वाचावे असे पुस्तक.

संपूर्ण review:

http://www.dhananjaytalks.com/2020/03...

[Tushar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is all about Chemical and Biological weapons. This book tells how these weapons came into existence. These weapons had been used in the First and Second world war. There is a mention of this in this book. This book tells how Germany, England, America used these weapons in War. The author tells how Soldiers of different countries got affected by these weapons. By reading this book you will get to know the evil side of Japan. You will get to know how Japan used these weapons. and how China got suffered from that. If you want to know how Osho Rajnish and some of his disciples used the biological weapon on people of one of the towns in America?, how CIA(Intelligence agency of America) used this weapon? How Japan, Russia, America, and England developed these weapons? , you have to read this book. I really liked the book. I got to know how powerful countries like Russia and America operates, How they can manipulate things to their advantage etc.
All in all, it was a good read.

[Nirmal Nanaware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary historical biological warfare stories to read in the times of corona.

[Shivani Deore]

This is book was exciting

[Ganesh Nabar · Rating 4 out of 5]

हे पुस्तक वाचून आश्चर्य वाटते की ही अमानवी व्रुत्ती आली कुठून ?

[Hrushikesh Wakadkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"युद्ध जीवांचे" हे गिरीश कुबेर यांचे २०१० साली प्रकाशित झालेले पुस्तक रासायनिक आणि जैविक युद्धाचा इतिहास आपल्यासमोर मांडते. इसवी सनपूर्व काळापासून सुरुवात करून ज्या काळी मुख्यत्वे रासायनिक अस्त्रांचा प्रसार मोठ्या प्रमाणावर झाला त्या जागतिक महायुद्धे अर्थात वर्ल्ड वॉर १ & २ मधील अंगावर काटा आणणाऱ्या प्रमुख घडामोडी मांडते. जागतिक महायुद्ध म्हटले की आपल्या डोळ्यासमोर येते ती हिटलरने ज्यूंवर केलेले निर्घृण आणि अनन्वित अत्याचार. क्रूरपणात अक्षरशः नाझीची बरोबरी करतील परंतु अतिशय कमी चर्चिले गेलेल्या जपानी राजांची कहाणी देखील सुन्न करून सोडते. तोफा बंदुका घेऊन सीमेवर असणाऱ्या सैनिकांवर किंवा शांततेने पहुडलेल्या एखाद्या सीमेवरील गावावर उगवतीच्या सुमारास अचानक झालेले रासायनिक वायुहल्ले हे किती अकल्पित असतील? कुठलाही प्रतिकार करण्याची संधी न देताच आख्या गावाचे पशुपक्षी गुराढोरांसकट स्मशानभूमीत रूपांतर होणे अतिशय भयप्रद व मानवी विकृतीची साक्ष देणारे आहेत. जागतिक महायुद्धे संपल्यानंतरही राष्ट्राराष्ट्रातील सत्तास्पर्धा व युद्धपिपासू वृत्ती संपते थोडीच. अमेरिका व रशिया शीत युद्धकालीन हालचाली व त्या अनुषंगाने अंतराळ, शस्त्रास्त्र स्पर्धा यातील प्रत्यक्ष युद्ध न करता शत्रूंचा नायनाट करण्यासाठी तर जैविक व रासायनिक अस्त्रे अतिशय बहुमोल ठरू लागली. शीतयुद्धाचा काळ संपल्यानंतर नको असलेल्या स्वकीय लोकांसाठी आणि आपले राजकीय स्वार्थ पुरविण्यासाठी तर या अस्त्रांचा वापर अतिशय सरळपणे आपल्याच देशातील लोक वा संप्रदाय संपविण्यासाठी केला गेला. पुढे जाऊन आपल्याला त्रासदायक असणाऱ्या अशा विरोधात गेलेल्या व्यक्तींचा आणि पळून गेलेल्या गुप्तहेरांचा जगभरातील वेगवेगळ्या देशात काटा काढण्यासाठी या नवनवीन अस्त्रांनी रामबाण भूमिका बजावली.

व्हिएतनाम युद्ध:
अमेरिकेला नामुष्कीचा पराभव सहन कराव्या लागणाऱ्या व्हिएतनामच्या युद्धावर या पुस्तकात आपणास विस्ताराने वाचावयास मिळते. असे म्हटले जाते की अमेरिकन विमानांनी रासायनिक अस्त्रांचा व्हिएतनामी धरतीवर अक्षरशः पाऊस पाडला. त्यामुळे जंगले आणि पिके नष्ट झाली एवढेच नाही तर पुढील येणारी पिढी अनेक व्यंगे घेऊनच जन्माला आली. दुसर्‍यास मारण्याच्या उद्देशाने जळता निखारा हातात ठेवल्यास दुसऱ्या बरोबर सर्वप्रथम आपला हात जळतो या बुद्धाच्या उक्तीप्रमाणे हजारो अमेरिकन सैनिकांना या रासायनिक अस्त्रांचे प्रचंड असे दुष्परिणाम सहन करावे लागले. विविध मानसिक आणि शारीरिक विकारांनी त्रस्त झालेल्या आपल्या सैनिकांचे असे हाल बघून शेवटी अमेरिकन जनतेमध्ये सरकार वापरीत असलेल्या या अस्त्रांबद्दल प्रचंड रोष निर्माण झाला. व पुढे जाऊन याची परिणीती हा अव्यापारेषु व्यापार बंद करण्यामागे असलेल्या कारणात झाली असावी.

सद्दाम हुसेन:
भारताचा नवा घनिष्ट मित्र होऊ घातलेल्या अमेरिकेचा सद्दाम ला मोठे करण्यामागे असलेला हात आणि गैरसोयीचे झाल्यावर त्याला कोणता न्याय याच अमेरिकेने दिला सर्वश्रुत आहेत. आपल्या स्वार्थासाठी केलेले असे राजकारण व त्यासाठी तिसऱ्या जगातल्या अनेक अश्राप जीवांची किंमत मोजण्याची बेमुर्वतखोरी अंगावर काटा आणते. आपल्याला देखील या रासायनिक व जैविक हल्ल्यांना धोक्यांना सामोरे कधीही त्यांना कधीही सामोरे जावे लागू शकते या कल्पनेने अंगावर शहारे येतात. गेल्या चार महिन्यापासून कोरोनामुळे सगळ्यांचेच आयुष्य मिठीला धरले गेले आहे त्यामुळे या धोक्याची जाणीव अधिकच गहिरी होते.

पुढची वाटचाल:
जगभरात राहणाऱ्या सर्वसामान्य जनतेला या अस्त्रांपासून असलेल्या धोक्यात अलीकडे अतिशय वाढ झाली आहे. याचे कारण म्हणजे वेगवेगळे बाबा बुवा आणि दहशतवादी यांच्या हाती देखील ही शस्त्रे लागले आहेत. भारतीयांच्या 26/11 हल्ल्याच्या जखमा जिथे अजुन भरल्या गेलेल्या नाहीत त्यावेळेला गैरहाती पडलेली ही अस्त्रे आपल्या चिंते मध्ये अधिकच भर टाकत असतात.
वेगवेगळे संदर्भ आणि कथेतील व्यक्तींची चित्रे असलेले हे पुस्तक जिनॉम वरील प्रयोग आणि भविष्याचा देखील धांडोळा अतिशय ओघवत्या शैलीत घेते. या सगळ्यामुळे एका वेगळ्या विषयावरील हे पुस्तक अतिशय वाचनीय झालेले आहे.

[Kesu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agent of Chaos: Unearthing the horror and chilling history of Chemical and Biological Warfare - An Essay

The breakout of Covid 19 instilled a fear in us that was never there earlier. What if another unknown disease, more powerful and deadlier than Covid 19 breaks out, how will we stop them? Isn't there any precaution? Even if there is precaution available you will never know until we get affected by one of the next disease. The Invisible Enemy by Girish Kuber, translated from his Marathi book 'Yuddh Jivanche' shows concern on this topic and the history of chemical and biological warfare from its inception to date. With an unyielding writing style, Kuber delves into the darkest chapters of human history, exposing the social, cultural, and humanitarian implications of diseases, pandemics, bioweapons, and warfare.

The narrative embarks on a journey through time, beginning with the haunting history of the plague when carcasses and cadavers were wielded as weapons, strategically spreading disease to gain an advantage in warfare. It was often affluent foreign travellers who introduced deadly diseases and pandemics. Kuber's book also delves into the realms of immunology and the history of vaccines, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of our ongoing battle against infectious diseases.

World War I emerges as a turning point, as Germany employed poisonous gases in a harrowing new form of warfare against Russia, Britain, and the Allied forces. This marked the inception of gas warfare and the horrors it unleashed upon soldiers and civilians alike. The book delves into the aftermath of these attacks, revealing the gory details of the victims and the alarming symptoms they experienced. It begs the question: Was Hitler driven by a personal vendetta?

The suppression of press freedom and the control of expression during this era are also explored. Animals often bore the silent burden of this warfare, suffering as unsuspecting victims. It was during this period that Sarin gas was introduced, forever etching its place in history. While primarily focusing on the historical aspects of chemical warfare, the book provides a comprehensive account of World War I and the dawn of World War II.

The narrative then shifts to the atrocities committed by Japan and China, particularly with the opium trade and the Fugu plan. Chinese prisoners were subjected to deadly experiments, exposing the depths of human cruelty. Unit 731 and its gruesome experiments are vividly depicted, alongside the infamous Pearl Harbor attack and the subsequent Tokyo Raid. Astonishingly, Japan's inhumane warfare surpassed even Hitler's atrocities, largely evading widespread exposure due to support from the United States. The rise of Russia further adds to the complexities of this dark era.

During this phase, intelligence agencies took a backseat, allowing biological and chemical warfare to become disturbingly prevalent. Kuber's writing vividly captures the ruthlessness of leaders like Churchill, who referred to it as a "trend and fashion." Operations Anthropoid and Paperclip were launched under Churchill's regime, highlighting the bloodshed the United States would eventually be held accountable for.

The book uncovers Russia's preparations for Anthrax bombs in 1979, a mere seven years before the Chernobyl disaster, where countless lives were lost. Russia's biological warfare not only claimed the lives of soldiers but also inflicted immense suffering on innocent civilians. Although Operation Enzyme was launched, bioweapons were fortunately not deployed during the war.

The narrative highlights the worldwide proliferation of bioweapons, fueled by the greed for dominion. Every country had its share of the blame, as their ruthless pursuit of power led them to deploy weapons against their own people. Operation Artichoke exposes the sinister use of LSD for planned murder, while the involvement of the Bush family in various historical disasters raises intriguing questions. The book further delves into SEATO and the devastating effects of toxic chemicals during the Vietnam War, forever cursing an entire generation and leading to war crimes such as the infamous My Lai Massacre.

The focus then shifts to Iraq and Saddam Hussein, labelled the "Butcher of Baghdad" by the West. While the US believed Saddam possessed weapons of mass destruction, they conveniently ignored their own supply of such weapons to Iraq. Motivated by fear and a desire to maintain control over global oil resources, the US orchestrated fake news, propaganda, and agendas to remove Hussein from power. It was once again the Bush family involved in the war crimes committed in Iraq and Iran. The repercussions of these actions haunted the returning soldiers, who became victims of Gulf War Syndrome with little hope of recovery.

The book also sheds light on instances of biowarfare such as the Bulgarian refugee in London and the Racin poison attack. South Africa's role in biowarfare is explored, although it is Mandela's battle against apartheid that often dominates historical narratives. The introduction of briefcase bombs, assassinations, and poison-based murders all contributed to maintaining stability and governance. Shockingly, even spiritual gurus became embroiled in bioterrorism, using innocent individuals as unwitting test subjects.

Acharya Rajneesh, Ma Anand Sheela, and Japan's Aum Shinrikyo cult all find their place in this grim history. Sheela orchestrated the first germ attack, constituting the largest bioterrorism incident to date. Under the guise of helping the poor and homeless, these individuals callously used them as guinea pigs. Religion and narcissism became catalysts for bioterrorism, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.

Throughout the book, Kuber highlights the pollution of seas and water bodies since the inception of chemical and biological warfare. Genetic weapons have been developed with the sinister intent to target specific races. The looming threat of bacterial warfare is discussed, an issue we may have already experienced but cannot definitively name until substantial evidence comes to light.

In "The Invisible Enemy," Girish Kuber delivers an alarming account of the horrors and atrocities committed in the name of chemical and biological warfare throughout history. His unyielding writing style captivates readers, providing a smooth and engaging narrative. This thought-provoking book serves as a stark reminder of the dark side of humanity, urging us to confront the consequences of our actions and remain vigilant against future threats. Definitely a book worth possessing for current and future generations.

[Ravi · Rating 5 out of 5]

जैविक आणि रासायनिक गोष्टीबद्दल ज्यांना कुतूहल आहे त्यांच्यासाठी हे एक अप्रतिम पुस्तक आहे... जगातला प्रत्येक देश जैविक युद्धामध्ये या ना कोणत्या तरी कारणाने सामील असतो... गिरीश कुबेर सरांच लिखाण तर अप्रतिमच.. प्रत्येकाने जरूर वाचावे असं एक पुस्तक " युद्ध जिवांचे "

[Siddharth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a fairly useful primer on the use of chemical and biological weapons in warfare and peacetime. But:

- Despite being a short book, it does get a little repetitive by the end
- A lot more statements deserve footnotes than are provided in the book
- It seems to borrow very heavily (based on the limited footnotes provided) from Robert Harris's and Jeremy Paxman's A Higher Form Of Killing, so maybe you're better off reading that instead?

Subha Pande has done a fairly satisfactory job translating this from the original Marathi.

[Paresh Kamat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Book!!
The history of biological and chemical warfare the world over has been something very few people know about.
the author has very lucidly covered the history from the prehistoric times to the two world wars till date.
Excellent research on the subject by Mr. Girish Kuber.
One thing has come out quite clearly that todays so called developed countries and super powers, have been on the forefront of the chemical and biological warfare..
A big surprise to me was Japan's role in this.
It is a complete eye opener.
Worth the read!!

[Shekhar U · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Girish Kuber book. With references and study it's pointed , scary and thought provoking. At the same time it's depressing, as it states common man does not have any control over it. Commoner just needs to suffer.

It would be great to have corona covered in next edition

[Nikhil Asawadekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takes you into the terrible terrible world of chemical and biological weapons! Superb book!!

[Vaibhav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice

[Swapnil Gadekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening book

[Bikash Gupta]

Read page provide

[Niraj Khandwala · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for everyone..if u can handle dark gory details... extremely well researched.

[Rudrani Tidke · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's about the history of chemical and biological warfare. It's scary as well as thought provoking read. Best thing about the book is the author's research and remarkable details.

[Makarand Gosavi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The History of Chemical & Biological Weapons is really mind blowing. Till now had read about the genocide of Jews by Hitler n Nazi Germans but the Way Japanese has treated China is worst than that. Good Book.

[Aditya Dixit · Rating 3 out of 5]

very useful information about chemicaland biological weapons.

[Ashutosh Tilak]

One of my most fevorite