The Practical Pyromaniac

June 15, 2011

Learn to play and build with fire—and not get burned.

Gurstelle (Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously, 2009, etc.), pyrotechnic aficionado and professional engineer, releases a powderkeg in this book, which blends history and science education with fire-inspired DIY projects. Beginning with a well-researched examination of flames and heat, he provides simple exercises for readers unseasoned in the art of fire, offering tips that can be applied both practically and recreationally. Safety is of the utmost importance to Gurstelle, who enumerates a myriad of thorough and clear stated warnings and precautions. The author overlooks nothing (there's even a guide to the proper use of fire extinguishers), but a section on burns and their treatment would make a welcome addition. Readers are urged to proceed with caution and begin by designing a simple flame tube—candles that produce long-sustained musical tones—before moving on to more complicated projects like assembling a propane-fueled flamethrower. Instructions are woven through with pivotal moments in the history of fire, from its discovery by cavemen to the scientific stylings of 19th-century chemist and physicist Michael Faraday. Gurstelle's simply stated directions and easy-to-follow illustrations usher readers through more than 15 incendiary projects.

The author renders otherwise dense and complicated scientific explanations imminently understandable.

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

May 1, 2011
The author of Absinthe and Flamethrowers (2009) returns with another offbeat DIY guide. Its full of fun projects, from the simple (shaping a candle flame) to the complex (making a fire piston and a fire tornado). The projects are laid out with simple step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and lists of needed materials. But thats just for starters. The book isnt just playtime for pyros. Its also a journey through the history of the scientific exploration of fire. The flame tube, for examplea steel tube that sings when flame is put through itis a reproduction of experiments conducted by German scientists in the mid-1800s. The burning ring of fire (a compact stove for backpackers) incorporates discoveries made by such luminaries as Benjamin Franklin. So the book is full of cool things to build, sure enough, but its also an educational and entertaining trip back through the history of science. This one deserves maximum exposure to both the build-it-yourself crowd and those fascinated by the cul-de-sacs of scientific history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)