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
Well
Toussaint Louverture
Diaspora
Six Easy Pieces
Kingpin
The Undoing Project
Wake Up to the Joy of You
Carry on, Jeeves
Kelly
Where Mountains Roar
Where Wizards Stay Up Late
Uncommon Measure
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The Right Call
Crossing the Chasm
Anthropic Bias
Intellectuals and Race
Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs
From Headless Chicken to Golden Goose
Talent
Forged in Crisis
The Viral Storm
Tent Life in Siberia
Lying
Essays and Lectures
The French Revolution and What Went Wrong
Diffusion of Innovations
Steve Jobs & The NeXT Big Thing
The Plant Paradox
The Kite Runner
The Origin of Wealth
How Nature Works
On The Move
Scale
Little Leaders
Fahrenheit 451
Burn
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
The Dragons of Eden
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
The Closing of the American Mind
Fortune's Formula
How Will You Measure Your Life?
Shantaram
Architects of the Web
The Innovators Dilemma
The Great Revolt
Diaminds
Our Final Invention
Layered Money
The Marked Children
On Being Certain: Believing You Are Right When You're Not
The Fabric of Reality
Right Thing, Right Now
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Whiskey Know-It-All
Mohammed and Charlemagne
The Ambiguities of Experience
Failing Forward
Total Freedom
The Hunger Games
Academically Adrift
American Exceptionalism
The Red Queen
Educated
Leadership the Outward Bound Way
Pandemic 1918
The Persian Expedition
Simple Rules
Empire
The Dog Stars
Dynasty
Competing in the Age of AI
More Heat Than Light
The Course of Love
A Mathematician's Lament
Waking Up
The Back of the Napkin
Glass
Masters of Doom
Success
The Coming Wave
Exponential Organizations
Pasture Perfect
The Robotics Primer
The Martians of Science
This Is How They Tell Me The World Ends
Rainbows End
Obsession
The Compleat Strategyst
All The Light We Cannot See
Guns, Germs, and Steel
Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln
The Passage of Power
Eating The Big Fish
Plants of the Gods
The Accidental Universe
Permaculture: A Designer's Manual
Plato and a Platypus Walk Into a Bar
The Man Who Knew Infinity
Ordinary Men