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Chemistry of Powder and Explosives


by Tenny Davis

List Price: $25.00
Available: Usually ships in 24 hours
Sales Rank: 335832
Studio: Angriff Press
Binding: Hardcover
Number Of Pages: 512
Publication Date: December 31, 1969
Publisher: Angriff Press


CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 11 reviews)

extensive bok on explosives  
the bok is the master bibel bok on all explosives substans in history from black powder to RDX. if you are an explosives expert or a amature pyrotecnictian entusiast this is the bok fore you.!!




July 23, 2008

Great Read  
I've been an amateur pyrotechnician for years, and this book is a good addition to any newcomer to the hobby. Although I'd recommend you take a college course in chemistry before you even try to attempt anything in this book, if at all. You really need to know what you're doing, or you're going to get yourself hurt or killed, and that's not an exaggeration. You'll also need a BATF license to legally carry out any of these procedures in the United States. If you're going to start up the hobby, read and learn as much as you can, get a license, and you will be granted to practicing a very rewarding hobby. Or on the other hand, if you don't plan on embracing it as a hobby, and if you're just reading this for informational purposes, read away. Highly recommended.


December 07, 2007

Outstanding Chemistry Text  
First, realize that this book is a fairly technical organic chemistry text about explosives. Under the heading of explosives also fall black powder and some pyrotechnic compositions, but the bulk of the text is about high explosives. This was one of the first texts I read on explosives, and it is one of the best. That being said, I am a synthetic organic chemist by training, so I have a very different perspective on the material.

As one reader mentioned, there is a lot of history in this book. Davis was the chair of the historical section of the ACS (American Chemical Society) for many years, and it shows here. Much is written about the discovery and the industrial processes used to manufacture explosives. Their uses throughout wars and some commercial aspects are also noted. The history of black powder and pyrotechnics are a very informative read.

This is not a formulations book (i.e., the Anarchists' Cookbook, etc.). While it does have some laboratory procedures in it, they are written at a technical level, and without some knowledge of chemistry, it may be difficult to reproduce them.

The material is a little dated, as many of the explosives discovered after 1943 are left out (HMX, CL-20, etc.), but the explosives field is a very mature one, and the material herein is still quite good.

The pyrotechnics are of the 1940s vintage, where mercury, lead and arsenic salts were still in common use, and some other safety considerations were not in place. This book isn't a great place to try and build a library of formulations from, but it is good for the historical aspect.

Overall, the book is very well written and an interesting read. I enjoyed reading it both for the quality of writing and the witty humor interjected by Davis at times. I would highly recommend it to any chemists in the energetic materials world, as well as those interested in the history or chemistry of explosives.
May 30, 2007

An exellent introduction to Powder & Explosives  
I'm still reading the book. The truth is that its not what I was expecting, because the book was written about 194X during WW2, I had no idea until I recieved it! But its a very good introduction to the subject as it details the evolution throughout the years (of course, until 194X)
August 25, 2006

Not bad but...  
I didn't like it. First understand that this book was written in two parts in 1941 and 1943. That in of itself does not make it a bad book. After all as the author state "Principles of Chemistry do not change." Very true, but the knowledge of safety and better compositions do change.
Secondly, I estimate the book is approximately 30% history. And some of that is very ancient history indeed, giving compositions dating back to the 1500's. Of what use are these? It wouldn't be so bad if all the history was put in one chapter, but all this history is intertwined within the technical explanation so as to make studing very tiring.
I give it 3 stars because there is enough technical information in the book for the price. But digging it out will be quite a chore.

June 03, 2006


SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Professional's Guide To Pyrotechnics: Understanding And Making Exploding Fireworks
by John Donner

Do-It-Yourself Gunpowder Cookbook
by Don McLean

The Anarchist Cookbook
by William Powell

Improvised Munitions Handbook
by Department of Defense

Explosives and Demolitions Fm 5-25
by Department of Defense

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