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Commodore Squib: The Life, Times and Secretive Wars of England’s First Rocket Man, Sir William Congreve, 1772-1828 Author: James Earle Date Of Publication: Jan 2011 Isbn13: 978-1-4438-2640-2 Isbn: 1-4438-2640-5 Sir William Congreve, political propagandist, lawyer, inventor, and Chief Equerry to King George IV, was one of the foremost military salesmen of the early nineteenth century. When England faced the overwhelming might of Napoleonic France, Sir William championed the potential of secret weapons, notably gunpowder rockets, mass-produced by the latest advances in manufacturing science. His was a world of fireships, bomb brigs, invasion fleets, experimental warfare, espionage, and the intense hostility of rival “projectors”. By turns acclaimed, derided, libelled and sued, Congreve belonged to a colourful breed whose influence on history is frequently overlooked. Yet for those who care to notice, his name and works are widely commemorated from the dark side of the moon to the most resounding phrases of the American National Anthem. James Earle is a barrister specialising in criminal law. During the closing years of the Cold War he served as an artillery officer, helping to preserve peace by digging large holes in North Germany and leading convoys in unexpected directions. He once assisted in an unintentional invasion of Denmark, for which he has been meaning to apologise.
“James Earle’s pioneering book puts this remarkable invention in its proper historical context with a penetrating and amusing analysis . . .”
—Will Robinson, Literary Review Price Uk Gbp: 24.99 Price Us Usd: 39.99
Sample pdf (including Table of Contents)
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