Saltpeter: The Mother of Gunpowder

Interesting history of a critical ingredient for gunpowder and its effects on national power, the growth of European empires.

Using it in a research paper, a valuable source, arrived quickly

Thought I was ordering the spice I need for an icelandic recipe

interesting

Deals primarily with British politics over the supply of saltpeter. Very little on any other countries use or on how it was produced. The author finds it necessary to repeat information several times, presumably because of his need to fill out this volume. Altogether a disappointing book.