A review by seyfert
Ignition!: An informal history of liquid rocket propellants by John Drury Clark

5.0

I really enjoyed this book, although dry it sometimes seemed to be, and so full of chemistry. It's humorous and accessible - to a point. When reviews call this book accessible, they mean that if you have a basic understanding of chemistry, you'll get along just fine, but if you don't then I do believe some of it will go over your head. Still, anyone with a slight interest should read it. I wish I did back in college if only to better understand that chemistry is nowhere near as rigid and known as I once believed (although this is an older book). These were scientists who made educated guesses, often blew things up, and never did the correct math the first time. It's science as you grew up believing science to be: lots of experimentation. I've a new appreciation for chemistry, for liquid rock propellants (so much I didn't know), and for those who put themselves out of a thrilling, if insane, job by being so good at it.