Ignition!

An Informal History of Liquid Rocket Propellants

John Drury Clark

Recommended By

Book Reviews

One of Elon Musk's favorite books about space.

Book Synopsis

Ignition! by John Drury Clark is a fascinating exploration of the history, science, and engineering behind rocket propellants.

From the early days of gunpowder to the cutting-edge research of the mid-20th century, Clark provides a comprehensive overview of the explosive and propulsive compounds that have fueled mankind's voyage into space.

Through a captivating narrative, he delves into the complexities of creating reliable and powerful rocket propellants, discussing the challenges faced by scientists and engineers along the way.

Clark recounts thrilling stories of accidents and near-disasters, highlighting the risks inherent in the pursuit of propellant perfection.

He offers valuable insights into the vital role propellants play in rocketry, shedding light on the chemical reactions that produce the incredible forces needed to overcome gravity's grip.

With remarkable clarity, Clark demystifies the technical details of rocket propellants, making this book accessible to both scientists and the general reader.

Ignition! is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the explosive power that has propelled humanity's greatest technological achievements.

Explore More Books

See All
Moonwalking with Einstein
Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)
The World That Wasn't
The Origins of Virtue
The Politics Industry
Chapterhouse: Dune
Beyond The Blue
Parfit
The Case for Nationalism
How Asia Works
The Butterfly Defect
Healthy Buildings
The Richest Man in Babylon
Letters from a Stoic
Creating Shareholder Value
Mother of God
The Etymologicon
That Will Never Work
The Holy Bible
The Spectator
A Story Lately Told
#AskGaryVee
This Brave New World
Tao Te Ching
Execution
The Narrow Corridor
On Immunity
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Voltaire
Hard Drive
Class Warfare
Merchants of Truth
Grass Farmers
Distress
Great Short Poems
Roger Ailes: Off Camera
Twelve Against The Gods
Concentrated Investing
Thus Spoke the Plant
The Dog Stars
Makers
Different
Central Banking 101
The Oz Principle
The Romance of American Communism
The Medici Effect
Call of the Reed Warbler
The Model Thinker
The Rise And Fall Of American Growth
If I Could Tell You Just One Thing
I am Anne Frank
Ordinary Men
The Nature of the Beast
Carrying The Fire
Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage
A Sense of Where You Are
The Essays of Warren Buffett
Active Inference
Determined
The Essential Wooden
I Love Capitalism
Creativity, Inc.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
How to Change Your Mind
Immortality
The Civil Rights Era
Too Big to Fail
The Tyranny of Experts
Alice in Wonderland
The Painted Bird
Crash Proof 2.0
American Buffalo
The Big Ship and Little Digger
The Half-Life of Facts
No Applause - Just Throw Money
A Cure for the Common Company
The Ascent of Money
Hillbilly Elegy
The Formula
Cuckoo
Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information
The Robotics Primer
Presidents of War
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
Play It Away
Excession
The Culture of Narcissism
Markings
The Fourth Revolution
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
Impromptu
Liar's Poker
The Fortunes of Africa
Dynasty
Courage
Essays In Persuasion
The Sixth Extinction
Nixonland
The Innovators Dilemma
Masters of Doom