While everyone can mentally visualize a stick or bundle of dynamite, very few have any real understanding of one of mankind's most important industrial implements.

This comprehensive treatment of the deceivingly familiar subject was created to resolve the mystery and dispel the myths.

Finally, the history of the manufacture, sale, and use of high explosives is brought to life with artifacts, advertisements, articles, and analysis.

Intended to be a comprehensive, layman-friendly introduction to the subject, the work will also fascinate the expert with its depth of coverage.


• Cartridges
• Formulations
• Shells
• Basic Tools
• Drilling
• Thawing
• Priming
• Loading and Tamping
• Blasting
• Uses
• Companies: Aetna, Atlas, DuPont, Dyno Nobel, Hercules, and more
• Dynamite Look-Alikes

Prepare to be astonished at the thousands of choices when it came to selecting a stick of dynamite, and the scores of possible uses for that stick.

Mining enthusiasts and collectors of blasting gear and ephemera will find hundreds of useful and interesting facts.

Almost everything there is to know about United States dynamite is contained in this one informative and entertaining book.