Throwing Fire

Name: Throwing Fire
Price: 66.84 AUD
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ISBN: 9780521156318

Projectile Technology through History

Alfred W. Crosby (University of Texas, Austin)

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Paperback

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English

Cambridge University Press
06 August 2010

History; General & world history; History of engineering & technology; Ordnance, weapons technology

Historian Alfred W. Crosby looks at hard, accurate throwing and the manipulation of fire as unique human capabilities. Humans began throwing rocks in prehistory and then progressed to javelins, atlatls, bows and arrows. We learned to make fire by friction and used it to cook, drive game, burn out rivals, and alter landscapes. In historic times we invented catapults, trebuchets, and such flammable liquids as Greek Fire. About 1,000 years ago we invented gunpowder, which accelerated the rise of empires and the advance of European imperialism. In the 20th century, gunpowder weaponry enabled us to wage the most destructive wars of all time, peaking at the end of World War II with the V-2 and atomic bomb. Today, we have turned our projectile talents to space travel which may make it possible for our species to migrate to other bodies of our solar system and even other star systems.

By: Alfred W. Crosby (University of Texas Austin)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 217mm, Width: 140mm, Spine: 14mm
Weight: 260g
ISBN: 9780521156318
ISBN 10: 0521156319
Pages: 218
Publication Date: 06 August 2010
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Alfred W. Crosby is Professor Emeritus in American Studies, History, and Geography at the University of Texas, Austin, where he taught for more than 20 years. His previous books include Ecological Imperialism (2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2004), America's Forgotten Pandemic: The Influence of 1918 (2nd edition, Cambridge University Press, 2003), and The Measure of Reality: Quantification and Western Society, 1250-1600 (Cambridge University Press, 1997). The Measure of Reality was chosen by the Los Angeles Times as one of the 100 most important books of 1997.

Reviews for Throwing Fire: Projectile Technology through History

'Within less than 200 pages he tells a coherent tale including both pertinent detail and amusing anecdote covering the period from Neanderthal prehumans to the present.' History Today '... well worth reading ...' Journal of the Victorian Military Society 'Throughout the volume he makes a judicious use of evidence from a variety of disciplines - archaeology, anthropology, history, rocket science, physics, chemistry, strategic studies - in a manner that is very accessible to people outside any given branch of scholarly study. In short, the volume is very well written and engaging ... this is a systematic, well-written and engaging exploration of the ways in which humans have thrown fire.' Social Anthropology '... provocative and highly illuminating.' Ambix Crosby's new book is another home run, worthy of its predecessors... The International History Review Alfred Crosby is deservedly famous as an environmental historian and entertaining writer. In this book he does it again, telling us all about projectiles from the time of our ape origins up to the Space Age. Having read this book, you will understand history, and you will also have the most interesting stories to relate at cocktail parties. Jared M. Diamond Alfred Crosby has applied his inimitable wit to two human traits, our capacities for throwing and burning, to track the history of the species. An enjoyable and provocative essay. Stephen Pyne, Arizona State University This is a delightful little book...[readers] who are interested in man's interaction with technology will find Crosby's arguments attractive. Air Power History Even if experts are likely to find little that is new, they may well benefit by looking at familiar material from the fresh angles that Crosby suggests. Barton C. Hacker Technology and Culture Well-written and fascinating throughout, the book is particularly instructive in linking developments in prehistory with those in more recent times. Journal of World History, Jeremy Black, University of Exeter Entertaining... Wisconsin State Journal ...an impressive and thought provoking work... -J. Furman Daniel, III, StrategyWorld