The Big Bang: A History of Explosives

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.