Overview

When Chinese alchemists fashioned the first man-made explosion during the tenth century, no one could have foreseen its full revolutionary potential. Invented to frighten evil spirits rather than fuel guns or bombs, the simple mixture of saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal became one of humanity's most critical inventions. As word of its explosive properties spread from Asia to Europe, 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 . . .

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9781843541912

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'Jack Kelly has written the definitive popular history of gunpowder and its military applications in a style reminiscent of Richard Holmes at his best.' Richard Shelton 'A thoughtful and subtle blend of science and technology with political, military, economic and social history, Gunpowder achieves splendidly its purpose of providing a broad and general introduction to the development and impact of gunpowder.' John Childs, Professor of Military History, University of Leeds

Author Information

Jack Kelly is both an accomplished novelist and an experienced author of popular history. He writes regularly for American Heritage, and also has written features about the DuPont family's involvement in the gunpowder industry and the history of fireworks in America. He lives in Milan, New York.

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