[MOJ]≫ Read Gunpowder Alchemy Bombards and Pyrotechnics The History of the Explosive That Changed the World Jack Kelly 9780465037223 Books

Gunpowder Alchemy Bombards and Pyrotechnics The History of the Explosive That Changed the World Jack Kelly 9780465037223 Books

Download As PDF : Gunpowder Alchemy Bombards and Pyrotechnics The History of the Explosive That Changed the World Jack Kelly 9780465037223 Books

Gunpowder Alchemy Bombards and Pyrotechnics The History of the Explosive That Changed the World Jack Kelly 9780465037223 Books

As a formally educated chemist who as a child began his interest in Chemistry by making black powder in his backyard, and what kid didn't in the 1950's, I found this book fascinating. We learn in class the chemistry of black powder, the "powder" but not the history so accurately told. Kelly dismisses Western invention and proves beyond doubt that the Chinese did invent, develop and use it in war, not just fireworks as the West prejudicially believed. He delves into the difficulty of production from raw material sourcing to danger of explosion in manufacturing. He related the combined technologies of powder power and canon metallurgy to each other in a very interesting and historical way.
Finally, he concludes with modern 'smokeless' powders briefly ending the reign of black powder.
A must read for those interested in the history of technology, warfare, and even America itself as it was superior quality French powder obtained by the colonies which actually defeated the English with superior quantity of poorer powder. All thanks to Lavoisier who lost his head in the French Revolution. In this regard, Kelly proves the case that we in America ought to honor the the Father of Modern Chemistry, Lavoisier, rather than General Lafayette, the military man, for helping found our country.


Tags : Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics : The History of the Explosive That Changed the World [Jack Kelly] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <div>When Chinese alchemists fashioned the first manmade explosion sometime during the tenth century,Jack Kelly,Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics : The History of the Explosive That Changed the World,Basic Books,0465037224,Gunpowder - History,Gunpowder;History.,Biochemical engineering,Chemical & Biochemical,EXPLOSIVES,Fossil fuel technologies,GENERAL,General Adult,Gunpowder,HISTORY Military General,HISTORY Military Wars & Conflicts (Other),HISTORY Military Weapons,History,History - Military War,Military,Military - Weapons,Military history,Non-Fiction,TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING Chemical & Biochemical,Technology & EngineeringChemical & Biochemical,United States,WORLD HISTORY,Weapons & equipment,HIS027000,HIS027130

Gunpowder Alchemy Bombards and Pyrotechnics The History of the Explosive That Changed the World Jack Kelly 9780465037223 Books Reviews

The author is a fantastic writer. I reads like gripping fiction while telling the history of gun powder.
It didn't take long for me to realize this history book was more about telling a story than it was a reference book. Kelly's description of fire and how man could manipulate it to make explosions let me know that this would be an entertaining read. It was. And, that was just the prologue.
I found myself engrossed in his story of how Black powder was born and progressed through history much like a man ages. Developing from an entertaining infant (Oriental fireworks), to an influential adult (as a strategic commodity that changed governments, national borders, and economies) then again as an old man, replaced by today's high explosives, serving predominantly to entertain his grandchildren (today's modern fireworks).
I am a chemist with over 20 years experience working with explosives. I still found this book entertaining and educational. As I read, I dog-eared multiple pages and underlined passage after passage of rich descriptions of chemical processes, mechanical processes, and historical observations (in a lifetime of studying and teaching chemistry I knew of the important contributions made by Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier; but, I didn't know the role explosives played in his life and death).
In addition to explosives enthusiasts, the book should be read everyone with an interest in the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. Their understanding of those conflicts will be incomplete without understanding the tactical and practical impacts of GUNPOWDER.
While the book might not be perfect , it's the perfect subject and is most likely going to be the best book on gunpowder. I need to read books on unique subjects that are written well and are consistently interesting from beginning to end. Different people will get different things out of this book, but I feel most will be throughly satisfied.
Wow! I'm in the fireworks trade, and somehow missed this GREAT book up until now. I loved every page. Mr. Kelly is known for his other fireworks dealings, and this book showed-off his diligent research into some pretty obscure history about gunpowder.
Gunpowder by Jack Kelly is surprisingly entertaining reading. I had picked up this book rather reluctantly, fearing a dry dissertation on the chemistry of gunpowder. Instead I was treated to a dance through history of interesting events connected by this main theme. Kelly intertwines gradual improvements in gunpowder with historical events that illustrate its use at the time. This is done in such a way that the reader is given a prelude in terms of a gunpowder advance followed by a historical event, usually a battle. While none of the historical events will come as any surprise to a person even basically familiar with history, it is interesting to see it through the lens of this one particular chemical.
Kelly does a good job detailing how much development work the Chinese undertook after "discovering" gunpowder around 800 A.D. He also debunks the mythology that the Chinese failed to take advantage of military applications of gunpowder and illustrates that the Chinese were avidly pursuing this as a weapon of war.
He does take some liberties, at times possibly overemphasizing the affects of gunpowder, such as Agincourt. Additionally some of the historical events described seem to be included more for their spectacular nature (The crater at Petersburg). But it all makes a very good read. Highly recommended.
I first read this book years ago and wanted a copy of my own. Gunpowder is one of the most simple mixed compounds known charcoal (from hickory or other wood) sulphur (from the ground) and niter (or potassium nitrate) are the ingredients in common black powder. The chinese discovered it long before the west, used it for fireworks and other pyromancer's tricks, but evidently never thought to weaponize it... it took the Europeans to do that. An interesting read about perhaps the most important substance in history.
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. A pleasure to read, and full of interesting stories and facts about the invention, evolution and technological progress of gunpowder and weapons, as well fireworks and nonmilitary uses of explosives. Concludes with a fine summary of the development of nitroglycerin, dynamite and the high explosives that replaced gunpowder. Entertaining and very informative.
As a formally educated chemist who as a child began his interest in Chemistry by making black powder in his backyard, and what kid didn't in the 1950's, I found this book fascinating. We learn in class the chemistry of black powder, the "powder" but not the history so accurately told. Kelly dismisses Western invention and proves beyond doubt that the Chinese did invent, develop and use it in war, not just fireworks as the West prejudicially believed. He delves into the difficulty of production from raw material sourcing to danger of explosion in manufacturing. He related the combined technologies of powder power and canon metallurgy to each other in a very interesting and historical way.
Finally, he concludes with modern 'smokeless' powders briefly ending the reign of black powder.
A must read for those interested in the history of technology, warfare, and even America itself as it was superior quality French powder obtained by the colonies which actually defeated the English with superior quantity of poorer powder. All thanks to Lavoisier who lost his head in the French Revolution. In this regard, Kelly proves the case that we in America ought to honor the the Father of Modern Chemistry, Lavoisier, rather than General Lafayette, the military man, for helping found our country.