7 replies to this topic

[Gary_1323]

Hello everybody,

I have stumbled across what appears to be an interesting book (paperback) on pyrotechnics, entitled: 'The Chemistry of Fireworks' 2nd Ed, RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Publishing.
Although it is not a book on practical pyrotechnics like Rev. Ron Lancaster or Dr Takeo Shimizu (it will not tell you how to construct, say, a crossette or achieve a strobe effect), it does delve into the chemical and historical aspects of pyro, such as the development of black powder throughout history, and the chemical reactions thought to be taking place when blackpowder burns.
Just an interesting read, I'd say.

http://books.google....ved=0CEoQ6AEwBw

Has anyone read the book and, if so, what are your opinions of it?

[Peret]

I've read it. My opinion is, this is a long way down the list of books I'd recommend. It's a layman's general guide, not a reference work. Russel basically knows nothing about fireworks that he hasn't picked up by reading Davis, Weingart, Ellern, Shimizu and a few other sources in the bibliography. The chapter on black powder is interesting, but it's just copied from other books. The rest of the book is a waste of time from a practical point of view - it doesn't go into sufficient detail to actually make a firework.

To sum up, if you get this book as a free gift, you get your money's worth.

[Gary_1323]

I've read it. My opinion is, this is a long way down the list of books I'd recommend. It's a layman's general guide, not a reference work. Russel basically knows nothing about fireworks that he hasn't picked up by reading Davis, Weingart, Ellern, Shimizu and a few other sources in the bibliography. The chapter on black powder is interesting, but it's just copied from other books. The rest of the book is a waste of time from a practical point of view - it doesn't go into sufficient detail to actually make a firework.

To sum up, if you get this book as a free gift, you get your money's worth.

I concur; it is not a specialist book dealing with practical pyrotechnics, but nevertheless I think that it is a good book for a pyro-related bedtime story with a mug of hot cocoa.
In other words, an interesting book on the chemistry and general aspect of pyro, but nothing to be taken seriously if you are a serious pyrotechnics connoisseur.

[Peret]

For a pyro related bedtime story, I prefer Brock: A History of Fireworks. This was actually the first book on the subject I ever read - I got it from the library when I was about 15 and it started me in this hobby. I bought my own copy s/h from Amazon many years later and still sit and read it from time to time.

[dr thrust]

For a pyro related bedtime story, I prefer Brock: A History of Fireworks. This was actually the first book on the subject I ever read - I got it from the library when I was about 15 and it started me in this hobby. I bought my own copy s/h from Amazon many years later and still sit and read it from time to time.

snap ,i have the same book, it to got me interested in pyro and i can see it now sitting on the shelf from were in typing this!

Edited by dr thrust, 03 November 2011 - 11:08 PM.

[Mortartube]

For a pyro related bedtime story, I prefer Brock: A History of Fireworks. This was actually the first book on the subject I ever read - I got it from the library when I was about 15 and it started me in this hobby. I bought my own copy s/h from Amazon many years later and still sit and read it from time to time.

This is pretty much my story. I got it from the library, although I was trying to make pyro from about the age of ten, and I read this a few years later. I have a copy of Brock that as a birthday present. I still recall reading of those exotic unknown chemicals such as Calomel and Potassium Picrate and wondering how I could get them.

Maurice Evans (who has donated his entire collection for display), has a signed copy that was originally owned by a chemist at Brocks. God knows what that is worth?

Mind you, I have a signed first edition of Lancaster, signed especially for me, signed in March 1989 I would never sell.

Edited by Mortartube, 03 November 2011 - 11:25 PM.

[JoshhBall]

So would you all, for those who have read it consider, 'Brock: A History of Fireworks', as a 'Pyrotechnic Bible' or is there one I could find which is a more current, factual and a 'getting started' kind of guide/book? Thanks!

[Peret]

So would you all, for those who have read it consider, 'Brock: A History of Fireworks', as a 'Pyrotechnic Bible' or is there one I could find which is a more current, factual and a 'getting started' kind of guide/book?

Not really. It's heavy on the history and light on the techniques, though back in the day it was as good as anything else you could find. The most respected "bible" today is probably "Shimizu: Fireworks, the Art Science and Techniques" (often referred to as FAST) or "Lancaster: Fireworks Principles and Practice" - I can't choose between them. Shimizu covers shells in great detail, while Lancaster covers everything including all the garden fireworks. There are some old books, out of copyright, still worth reading, that you can find on a search of Google Books - "Kentish: The Pyrotechnist's Treasury" covers the makings in a very practical way, but his compositions are out of date (good luck on finding orpiment and calomel these days).