Absinthe & Flamethrowers Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously

by Gurstelle, William

• ISBN13: 9781556528224
• ISBN10: 1556528221
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-06-01
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press

Summary

Written for reasonable risk takers and suburban dads who want to add more excitement to their lives, this daring combination of science, history, and DIY projects explains why danger is good for you and details the art of living dangerously. All of the projectsfrom throwing knives, drinking absinthe, and eating fugu to cracking a bull whip, learning baritsu, and building a flamethrowerhave short learning curves; are human-focused, as opposed to technology-centric; are affordable; and demonstrate true but reasonable risk. The guide maintains that risk takers are more successful, more interesting individuals who lead more fulfilling lives. What would the world be like if Thomas Edison retired after 30 years working for the railroad, it asks, instead of getting fired for blowing up a rail car with one of his experiments? Though the manual doesnt advocate getting fired, it does reveal that making black powder is pure excitement. Unlike watching an action movie or playing a video game, real, edgy life experience changes a person. Each potentially life-altering project includes step-by-step directions and illustrations along with sidebar tips from experts in the field.

Author Biography

William Gurstelle is a professional engineer who has been researching and building model catapults and ballistic devices for more than 30 years. He is the author of The Art of the Catapult; the bestselling Backyard Ballistics; Building Bots, Whoosh, Boom, Splat; and Notes from the Technology Underground. He is a contributing editor at Make magazine and writes frequently for The Rake, Wired, and several other national magazines. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	p. v
Prologue	p. xi
Why Live Dangerously?
Big-T People, Little-T People	p. 3
What is Edgework?	p. 13
Where the Action Is	p. 17
Why Live Dangerously?	p. 25
How to Live Dangerously
The Most Important Chapter in the Book	p. 33
Obtainium	p. 37
The Thundring Voice	p. 49
Playing with Fire	p. 69
The Inner MacGyver	p. 87
The Minor Vices	p. 111
The Physical Arts	p. 139
Thrill Eating	p. 159
Flamethrowers	p. 175
The Strange Music Starts	p. 191
Notes	p. 197
Index	p. 203
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