Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive Tha

Description: Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive That Changed the World by Jack Kelly Gunpowder first emerged from the ancient Chinese alchemical experiments to usurp the sword, spear and arrow in war. A must-read for history fans and military buffs alike, "Gunpowder" brings together a rich terrain of cultures and technological innovations with authoritative research and swashbuckling style. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description When Chinese alchemists fashioned the first manmade explosion sometime during the tenth century, no one could have foreseen its full revolutionary potential. Invented to frighten evil spirits rather than fuel guns or bombs—neither of which had been thought of yet—their simple mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal went on to make the modern world possible. As word of its explosive properties spread from Asia to Europe, from pyrotechnics to battleships, it paved the way for Western exploration, hastened the end of feudalism and the rise of the nation state, and greased the wheels of the Industrial Revolution.With dramatic immediacy, novelist and journalist Jack Kelly conveys both the distant time in which the "devil's distillate" rose to conquer the world, and brings to rousing life the eclectic cast of characters who played a role in its epic story, including Michelangelo, Edward III, Vasco da Gama, Cortes, Guy Fawkes, Alfred Nobel, and E. I. DuPont. A must-read for history fans and military buffs alike, "Gunpowder" brings together a rich terrain of cultures and technological innovations with authoritative research and swashbuckling style. Author Biography Jack Kelly is both an accomplished novelist and an experienced author of popular history. He writes regularly for American Heritage and has also written features about the DuPont familys involvement in the gunpowder industry and the history of fireworks in America. He lives in Milan, New York. Review "Jack Kelly writes like a man ready for a rumble." "A faced-paced book that is historical reporting at its very best, with surprises on almost every page. Kellys writing style is crisp and edgy, perfect for his subject matter." Long Description When Chinese alchemists fashioned the first manmade explosion sometime during the tenth century, no one could have foreseen its full revolutionary potential. Invented to frighten evil spirits rather than fuel guns or bombs--neither of which had been thought of yet--their simple mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal went on to make the modern world possible. As word of its explosive properties spread from Asia to Europe, from pyrotechnics to battleships, it paved the way for Western exploration, hastened the end of feudalism and the rise of the nation state, and greased the wheels of the Industrial Revolution.With dramatic immediacy, novelist and journalist Jack Kelly conveys both the distant time in which the "devils distillate" rose to conquer the world, and brings to rousing life the eclectic cast of characters who played a role in its epic story, including Michelangelo, Edward III, Vasco da Gama, Cort Details ISBN0465037224 Author Jack Kelly Short Title GUNPOWDER Language English ISBN-10 0465037224 ISBN-13 9780465037223 Media Book Format Paperback DEWEY 662.26 Illustrations Yes Year 2005 Publication Date 2005-05-31 Imprint Basic Books Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States Publisher Basic Books (AZ) Pages 272 Subtitle Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics: The History of the Explosive that Changed the World DOI 10.1604/9780465037223 Audience General/Trade AU Release Date 2005-04-27 NZ Release Date 2005-04-27 US Release Date 2005-04-27 UK Release Date 2005-04-27 We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:7491620;

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