The Art of the Catapult: Build Greek Ballistae, Roman Onagers, English Trebuchets, and More Ancient Artillery by William Gurstelle  (17)  $11.53

Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices by William Gurstelle  (39)  $11.86

Backyard Catapults: How to Build Your Own by Bill Wilson  (3)

Adventures from the Technology Underground: Catapults, Pulsejets, Rail Guns, Flamethrowers, Tesla Coils, Air Cannons, and the Garage Warriors Who Love Them by William Gurstelle  (15)  $11.16

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8 Lee  (31)  $16.49

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From Publishers Weekly
On a whim the author and a friend built a catapult modeled on an ancient prototype, an experience that gave rise to this meditation on the blood-soaked past, present and future of the human race.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
While the author's purpose in building a catapult was to have fun tossing rocks into San Francisco Bay, his account is much more than that. It is a history of catapults from ancient times. It is a clear and joyous description of how to assemble the machine in this day and age. It is a musing on war and sieges--from Syracuse to Josephus's Jerusalem and beyond. It is a little biographical information. And it is the story of Paul and his partner's growing friendship and respect in sharing the project. With humor and an ingratiating style, Paul has produced a unique book that is enjoyable, informative, and at times inspiring. More literature than technology, this delightful book is highly recommended.
- Robert H. Donahugh, formerly with Youngstown and Mahoning Cty. P.L., Ohio
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

First Sentence:
It had occurred to me that holding an old rock might be like looking at the stars. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
beam boss, catapult parts, beam guy, mock rocks, cock the bow, catapult stones, lag bolts, broken cable, torsion springs, welding shop Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Los Alamos, San Francisco, Red Creek, Golden Gate, Robert Oppenheimer, Dome of the Rock, Holy of Holies, Stirling Castle, Bay Bridge, Old City, Park Service, New York, Sir Ralph Payne-Galway, Temple Mount, The Holland Press, Dark Ages, Frank Oppenheimer, Old Cooke, West Oakland, Battery Rathbone, Conceptual Reconstruction, David Ireland, Monty Python, Palace of Fine Arts, Scientific American New!
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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