21 replies to this topic

[Aussie Pyro King]

Hello everyone, I have some exciting news!

I have just received a fair amount of copies of a new pyrotechnics book called Shenanigans: An epic guide by Jared Smith.

It covers the manufacture of almost every type of firework imaginable, as well as other fun pyro projects (INCLUDING SAFETY INFORMATION!), except it isn't just a plain text book full of text and tables like all the classic fireworks books on the market today. This one is FULL COLOUR, with beautiful pictures of fireworks, including their steps in construction, a true artwork. Fair enough, any experienced pyro probably already knows how to make most of these fireworks, but the book isn't just a book on making fireworks.

It is sort of like The Dangerous Book for Boys, except the real version haha (but nothing like a dangerous cookbook, nothing that outrageous). I was quite excited to read the Dangerous Book for Boys only to find it was just full of info that not even a little kid would find interesting. Shenanigans: An epic guide contains info like how to pick locks, crack safes, air and combustion cannons, changing the message on flashing road signs and other great stuff for truly devious males to have some fun with!

I've attached some pics from inside, sorry about the bad pics!

[Bob Twells]

Looks like a great book! Do you know if it's going to be available in the UK?

[Arthur Brown]

Can you please give us the ISBN for the book? It's not yet listed in places I can find. Does it come from the USA? Would any of their suppliers have copies for us to buy?

[Mixologist]

Put me on the buying list if we have to buy a bulk deal!

[dogsbody]

just googled it - http://shenanigansanepicguide.com/

[Arthur Brown]

So would "Aussie Pyro King" be the author of the book, and would he have just got the books from the printer?

[dogsbody]

was wondering that myself, was it a plug or was it a good book he found and is letting us know? sounds like a plug to me!

[crystal palace fireworks]

According to a ebay page where the book is being sold, its ISBN nunmber is; 9780646550374,...ive tried it in various search engines without luck, Im wondering if it has been registered?

http://cgi.ebay.com....s-/260768509173

[Creepin_pyro]

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Edited by Creepin_pyro, 08 October 2011 - 10:10 PM.

[helix]

Exciting news? - I don't think so, bad news more like.

So I can learn how to jump into a hedge, make fake ID, syphon petrol and conceal alcohol as well as make fireworks - doesn't exactly portray fireworks in a good light.

Books like this can only cause trouble - what's the target audience - yobs/ halfwits?

[Mixologist]

Exciting news? - I don't think so, bad news more like.

So I can learn how to jump into a hedge, make fake ID, syphon petrol and conceal alcohol as well as make fireworks - doesn't exactly portray fireworks in a good light.

Books like this can only cause trouble - what's the target audience - yobs/ halfwits?

I don`t consider myself to be any of those, but i do fancy reading it!

[Mumbles]

I'd tend to agree the book is likely questionable at best. The pyro info is likely heavily borrowed from other authors and resources. It also looks to cover a rather basic set of pyro projects and info. I don't particularly feel like spending $60 just to prove my initial inclinations correct. If anyone does end up getting it, let us know if it turns out to somehow be of good quality.

[Arthur Brown]

Well I like the look of a book with glossy pages, but the index reads far too much as if it's paper version of the Anarchists/Jolly Roger cook book neither of which bring home fireworks into fine art or high regard.

[Aussie Pyro King]

It isn't anything like the Jolly Roger's cookbook guys! It really is just a fun, light hearted book, and includes safety info. That bunch of text file dangerous garbage is nothing like this, nothing even close. Last time I checked, that was all about credit card fraud, hating school and mercury fulminate etc. Not even comparable. Homemade fireworks, even high quality consumer fireworks are illegal and that is never going to change, no matter how you look at it, this book will have no effect on that (well at least in Australia, the law gets tighter every day). I'm not pressuring anyone into buying it, I just really enjoy it, and I have a university degree, definitely not a "yob/halfwit" target audience. I guess I just haven't grown old and boring yet

The isbn isn't listed in many places because it only just came out.

I have just bought a few copies and put them on eBay Australia (the author is one of my best friends), though the shipping makes it very expensive to ship overseas as it weights about 1.1kg and shipping in Australia is terribly expensive.

Edited by Aussie Pyro King, 18 April 2011 - 12:42 PM.

[Creepin_pyro]

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Edited by Creepin_pyro, 08 October 2011 - 10:10 PM.