Pyrotechnics: The History and Art of Firework Making

The author, Alan Brock, dedicated this book to his brother, Frank Arthur Brock, who was killed in World War I. The brothers were from a famous family of fireworks makers; the family staged the celebrated Crystal Palace fireworks shows and used their factory to help provide special government war requirements during WWI. This book contains numerous illustrations of types of fireworks, firework displays, and the construction of fireworks. Several of the illustrations are colored, and there are many black and white photographs of significant fireworks displays over time. Brock traces the art of pyrotechnics from its origins and across many parts of the world. The selected illustrations paired with the author's knowledge provides a fascinating insight about the development of the magnificent displays we still enjoy today.