Radio War Nerd EP129—Best & Worst War Novels + The Fake "Assad BZ Gas Attack" In 2012

What this episode covers

RWN subscribers have been asking the Nerd for some reading recommendations. Since no recommendation is any fun without also trashing other "best war novels" lists, this episode's war fiction survey begins with a survey of what the Beigeists are telling you to read, most of it wrong of course. After dispensing with those errors, the Nerd offers his summer reading recommendations, including some of the best sci-fi war novels. Lots to talk about . . .  At 2:13:30 Ames recovers the first alleged Assad gas attack, in December 2012, when Assad's forces allegedly used the hallucinogenic nerve agent BZ gas on Homs rebels. That attack was thoroughly debunked, and forgotten evert since. Ames recovers the history of that first, fake Assad gas attack, who lied about it, and the origins of BZ gas in US counterinsurgency programs.  Speaking of great war novels—don't forget to stock up on The War Nerd Iliad for your summer reading rations!