"John Withingtons meticulous history of fireworks." - Malcolm Gaskill, London Review of Books "Vignettes fizz and sparkle across the pages of John Withingtons latest book . . . This comprehensive tome lights up a fascinating topic, and understanding the history of fireworks adds to the joy of watching a night sky light up." - Dan Carrier, Camden New Journal "They have inspired writers and artists from William Shakespeare to Katy Perry and are at the epicentre of celebrations around the world. Here, author John Withington [ writes] about the history of fireworks and how they exploded onto the scene." - Sally McDonald, The Sunday Post, Scotland "It can safely be claimed that this work is the most comprehensive in subject coverage and, of course, most up to date . . . it will be welcomed as a valuable addition to the firework enthusiasts library and does much more than bring that seminal work up to date. It is clearly the result of diligent and thorough research." - John Bennett, Fireworks Magazine "John Withingtons A History of Fireworks from Their Origins to the Present Day wraps meticulous research in a compulsively readable narrative. He captures in fascinating detail the rich, complex history of fireworks. He also offers readers a taste of the awe thats at the heart of this most fleeting form of human art and artifice. A diverting and informative book. Read it." - Jack Kelly, author of Gunpowder: Alchemy, Bombards, and Pyrotechnics "John Withingtons history of fireworks around the world from ancient times to the present is a sparkling pyrotechnic panorama and an essential contribution, ranging much wider than previous works." - Simon Werrett, Professor of the History of Science, University College London, and author of Fireworks: Pyrotechnic Arts and Sciences in European History
