Because pyrotechnology was considered a demeaning craft, there is very little about its practice in ancient texts; our knowledge of early developments is based almost entirely on interpretation of artifacts recovered by archaeology during the past century and a half. Literature in archaeology and anthropology, however, tends to concentrate on the artifact found rather than on how it was produced - on the pot or spearhead rather than the kiln or furnace. There is thus surprisingly little information on the practice and importance of pyrotechnology. The Mastery and Uses of Fire in Antiquity, written by an engineer with fifty years of experience in industrial research and pyrotechnology, rectifies this lack. J.E. Rehder covers the kinds of furnaces, the nature of the fuel used, and the productions created - fired clay, lime from limestone, metals from the reduction of ores, and glass from sand. He also shows convincingly that previous arguments that early deforestation resulted from furnace use cannot be supported. The Mastery and Uses of Fire in Antiquity provides much-needed information for anyone interested in archaeology, anthropology, and pyrotechnology.

The world's most experienced scientists and professionals working on cooling towers gathered at the 5th International Symposium on Natural Draught Cooling Towers to discuss the latest developments in this area and exchange knowledge and experiences. This book comprises 43 contributions on the latest developments in the field of natural draught cooling towers, including the cooling process, wind loading, stability & nonlinear behaviour, earthquake resistant design, structural problems, construction developments, design rules, survey and maintenance, rehabilitation and structural damage simulation as well as construction heritage. In addition, a special session is dedicated to the world's highest cooling tower.

This unusual study, written by an engineer with expertise in industrial research and pyrotechnology, combines archaeological investigation with technical instruction to examine the scientific and chemical processes which resulted in the ancient furnace. The scope of the book is comprehensive and includes the successes and failures of over 10,000 years of history. Subjects include the use of fuels according to the products made, temperature control, deforestation and the smelting and use of copper and iron. This useful reference work contains varying amounts of technical language, with most jargon confined to the more detailed appendices, in order to make the subject matter more available to a wider readership.

Appended to v. 12 are 15 articles on "methods for the analysis of ores, &c.," 101 p.