John D. Clark, Isaac Asimov: Ignition! (2018, Rutgers University Press)
302 pages
English language
Published May 12, 2018 by Rutgers University Press.
John D Clark’s seminal and widely regarded 1972 book chronicling the history of rocket fuel written in his signature tongue in cheek and comedic style, turning a very dry subject into something enjoyable for anyone
The sheer number of variables rocket propellant designers had to keep in mind is insane. This is a field that would've driven most people mad, but John Clark and his "gang" approached it with a cheery attitude. Even if you don't understand Chemistry there's much to be learned here.
Informal is the right way to describe this book. The author basically gets us out for a drink and starts recounting about what he and his colleagues were up to in 50s and 60s.
And with conversations between chemists like these:
“Joe? You know that stuff you sent me to test for thermal stability? Well, first, it hasn’t got any. Second, you owe me a new bomb, a new Wianco pickup, a new stirrer, and maybe a few more things I’ll think of later. And third (crescendo and fortissimo) you’ll have a couple of flunkies up here within fifteen minutes to clean up this (—bleep—) mess or I’ll be down there with a rusty hacksaw blade. . . .” I specified the anatomical use to which the saw blade would be put. End of conversation.
You knew just how crazy it could get.
Now because this is a history of …
Informal is the right way to describe this book. The author basically gets us out for a drink and starts recounting about what he and his colleagues were up to in 50s and 60s.
And with conversations between chemists like these:
“Joe? You know that stuff you sent me to test for thermal stability? Well, first, it hasn’t got any. Second, you owe me a new bomb, a new Wianco pickup, a new stirrer, and maybe a few more things I’ll think of later. And third (crescendo and fortissimo) you’ll have a couple of flunkies up here within fifteen minutes to clean up this (—bleep—) mess or I’ll be down there with a rusty hacksaw blade. . . .” I specified the anatomical use to which the saw blade would be put. End of conversation.
You knew just how crazy it could get.
Now because this is a history of rocket propellants, the book can get technical at times, but nothing that can impede a 21st century reader who knows how to use the Wikipedia.
Hell just an introduction by Isaac Asimov, whom the author knew personally was an excellent incentive to read this book.
A lot of chemistry in a field I don't care about, but as promised a dry wit and funny close description of a technical process of discovery, trial, misguided ideas. And lots of explosions.
