My Fireworks History: a talk and a quote

Great fun to give a talk to the CSNA, Camden Square Neighbourhood Association, in London last night about my book 'A History of Fireworks' (Reaktion). Told the story of their origins, the ambivalent attitude to the authorities in the UK to Bonfire Night, and in the USA to 4 July, how the technology changed, and their place in art, literature and music, their effect on animals, and much more. Good audience with interesting questions.

Meanwhile, the book's also been quoted in this Encyclopaedia Britannica article https://www.britannica.com/procon/fireworks-debate

Fireworks: illuminating their mysterious history

Looking forward to talking online about my book A History of Fireworks. From their Origins to the Present Day (Reaktion Books) to the Boundless organisation for civil servants past and present on 11 November. 

I'm going to be talking about their mysterious origins in ancient China and the possibility that they were a by-product of the search for eternal life, how warfare played an important part in their development, how the pope became a major sponsor of displays in Europe, and how their first known appearance in Britain was at an event designed to put an end to the enmities of a 30 years civil war. 

Then there will be the story of how 5 November, Bonfire Night, became a focus for disorder and anti-government protests, how British fireworks conquered the world in Queen Victoria's time, and how they featured at the centre of one of Britain's most famous libel cases involving one of Britain's most celebrated artists.

I will reveal the technological breakthroughs that have transformed fireworks and displays, describe how they have inspired music and literature, reminisce over the rise and fall of famous British manufacturers, and examine the challenges fireworks now face from worries about the environment and the effect they have on animals.

Scroll down this web page to find out more https://www.boundless.co.uk/news-competitions/lifestyle/meet-the-online-storytellers

Stanmore: are you ready for fireworks?

Looking forward to talking about my new book 'A History of Fireworks' (Reaktion Books) at Stanmore & District u3a on Monday, 20 January. I'll be sharing secrets about the mysterious origins of fireworks, Britain's first major display, rowdy Bonfire Nights, firework disasters, famous firework makers, fireworks in art, music and literature and the challenges they now face because of fears about pollution and the effects they have on animals https://stanmore.u3asite.uk/u3a_events/monday-20th-january-john-withington/

How Warwickshire helped give Britain the fireworks bug

Great to be interviewed by Richard Williams of BBC CWR about my new book 'A History of Fireworks from their Origins to the Present Day' (Reaktion Books). We talked about Elizabeth I's love of fireworks, about two major displays she went to at Warwick (pictured) and Kenilworth Castles, how the Warwick one got out of hand and killed a couple of people in the town, about Britain's first firework display, about when fireworks first started to be used to celebrate 5 November and much more. The interview is in two parts. Part 1 is about 1 hr 18 mins in, and Part 2 about 2 hrs 19 mins in

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0jy2h4v

A History of Fireworks: my interview on New Books Network

Great fun to be interviewed on New Books Network by Miranda Melcher about MY new book 'A History of Fireworks from their Origins to the Present Day' (Reaktion Books). We talked about their mysterious origins, and how they might have been a by-product of the search for eternal life, how they came to England, how Bonfire Night became both compulsory to celebrate by law and a focus for political disorder and hooliganism, the dramatic breakthroughs that got us to the sophisticated displays of today, how fireworks have been portrayed in the arts, their practical uses, for example, in rescuing shipwrecked mariners or trying to change the weather, and the challenges they now face because of noise and pollution. You can hear it all here:

 newbooksnetwork.com/history-of-fireworks-from-their-origins-to-the-present-day

Fireworks: my new book and the Dorset dimension

My new book A History of Fireworks from their Origins to the Present Day (Reaktion Books) is out! 

https://reaktionbooks.co.uk/work/a-history-of-fireworks-from-their-origins-to-the-present-day

The Dorset Echo has written a nice piece about it, pointing out that Dorchester, described in the 17th century as 'the most puritan town in England', was probably one of the first places to celebrate 5 November with fireworks. Bonfire Night, of course, marks the failure of Guy Fawkes' Catholic plot in 1605 to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

The Echo also reports that by 1632 local constables were having to arrest apprentices who had been overdoing the celebrations. 

This illustrates the authorities' dilemma over 5 November. Until 1859, it was compulsory by law to celebrate the day, but it often led to disorder. In the late 19th century, Dorchester was one of a number of places that tried to tame the occasion by putting on official, publicly financed, events.

Then there is the story of the failed attempt to set a world record for firing off rockets at Bournemouth in 2009.

https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/24471253.history-fireworks-book-sheds-light-dorsets-past/