“A fascinating, encompassing story . . . Kelly interweaves intense, fast-moving anecdotes of military history with counterpoint narratives of technical developments of powder and guns and the evolution of military and social attitudes. He writes brightly, freshly.”
—Baltimore Sun
“Full of interesting characters, Gunpowder is popular history at its most entertaining and informative.”
—Santa Cruz Sentinel
“Fiery prose sparks this exciting story as the author jumps through the centuries with nimble pose and a learned eye.”
—Kirkus
“The pleasure of Gunpowder is the fun of learning.”
—Christian Science Monitor
“In this thoroughly readable book, Kelly leads us through the centuries, introducing historic figures whose work would leave indelible marks on all our lives.”
—Virginian Pilot
“A smooth-flowing history of one of the world’s most influential inventions.”
—Poughkeepsie Journal
“Kelly writes well and has a terrific eye for the instructive detail or odd historical fact that brings the narrative to life. It is an entertaining and readable effort.”
—Publishers Weekly