The Big Bang: A History of Explosives

by George Ernest Brown

A retired chemistry professor narrates the thousand-year history of the powerful portable energy source, from the appearance of gunpowder in China about AD 850 to atomic bombs. He emphasizes the lives of the people involved, the diverse uses of explosives, and their social and historical impact. His treatment is well illustrated and suitable for both historians and general readers. An appendix provides technical chemical data. Distributed by Books International. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Genres: History, Technology, Science, Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1998

Reviews

[Toby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and enjoyable read but not the text book I thought it might be. Lots of background history about the companies that made the explosives to the detriment of discussion about the explosives themselves. Did not mention some fundamental physics of explosives (e.g. Deflagration/Detonation) and no mention of liquid or fuel/air explosives. Overall a good introduction to those who nothing about explosives.

[Hugo Van Zoest]

Heel leesbaar

[Steven Minniear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid history which ends in 2010. I wonder what has developed in the field since then.

[K De · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thousand year history of the invention and implementation of exothermic chemical reactions from gunpowder to use in nuclear weapons. It is chock full of little details on how and what types of gunpowder and subsequent types of explosives were developed from dynamite to nitroglycerin. There is tables in the back of the book that shows the chemical composition and reaction formula for those types of explosives. Highly recommended for those who have a interest in chemistry and exothermic fast reactions!

[Smellsofbikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging history of explosives, from the Greeks to nuclear weapons. It has a lot of historical information about explosives manufacturing firms and the people who ran them. It's not the sort of organic chemistry orgy that Tenney Davis wrote, but it's interesting and a lot of fun to read, despite its British/Scottish focus.

[Eric Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

admittedly not one of the great works of history, but fairly well executed. I happen to find energetic materials interesting, so that certainly helped fuel my enjoyment, but a pretty good read.