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
The Wright Brothers
Technically Food
Startup
Deep Survival
The Etymologicon
The Complete Novels of Jane Austen
The Coaching Habit
The Innovator’s Solution
Beyond Good and Evil
Walter Benjamin
The Romance of American Communism
The Activist's Media Handbook
Calm Your Mind with Food
The Upside of Stress
The Evolution of Beauty
The Art of Computer Programming
The Four Agreements
A World-Class Education
The Extension of Man
In The Plex
Mr. Putin
Becoming Steve Jobs
A Cultural History of Physics
The Almanack of Naval Ravikant
The Essential Scratch and Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert
The Jungle Grows Back
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore
Zorba the Greek
Creation
The Ride of a Lifetime
Mean Genes
The Network State
The Utopia of Rules
Founders' Son
Dancing In The Glory Of Monsters
Art of the Living Dead
Brute
The Terminal List
No Bullshit Guide to Math and Physics
Three Blind Mice
The Right Stuff
The Warrior Ethos
The Fry Chronicles
Fallout
Powerful
Big World, Small Planet
The Omnivore's Dilemma
Tipping Points
Inversions
No Applause - Just Throw Money
How The Scots Invented The Modern World
Lessons for the Living
Bitcoin Billionaires
The Cult of LEGO
Beating The Street
Exhalation
Flu
Dune Messiah
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
The Formula
Not Zero
George's Marvellous Medicine
Going Infinite
Eisenhower in War and Peace
A Technique for Producing Ideas
Natural Capitalism
Civilisation
Money: Master The Game
The Score Takes Care of Itself
The Ones We Have Been Waiting For
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Live Free or Die
The Economic Consequences of the Peace
Artemis
On Bullshit
The 80/20 Principle
Einstein's Mistakes
A History of Rome
Epic Measures
The Energy World Is Flat
Pre-Suasion
Civilian Warriors
Built To Last
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Oh, The Place You’ll Go
Grit
The Butterfly Defect
The Surrender Experiment
Kill Switch
The Messy Middle
The Happiness Hypothesis
Saving Capitalism from Short Termism
American Buffalo
The Rise of Superman
Bull by the Horns
The Sympathizer
Good Night, Little Bear
The Belly Art Project
The Curse of the Mogul
Aware