William Gurstelle Bücher

Das Leben ist entweder ein großes Abenteuer oder sterbenslangweilig. Diese Überzeugung gewann William Gurstelle, nachdem er sich viele Jahre seines Arbeitslebens als Ingenieur beinahe zu Tode gelangweilt hatte. Er nahm sein Hobby aus Studentenzeiten, die Konstruktion von Wurfgeschossen, wieder auf und schrieb darüber einen Bestseller. So kam er zu der Erkenntnis, dass die Menschen in einer Zeit, in der sich alles darum dreht, Gefahren zu vermeiden, Risiken abzuwägen, Sicherheit zu predigen, eine große Sehnsucht nach dem Nervenkitzel, nach dem Risiko, nach dem echten Abenteuer verspüren. Seine Beobachtungen und Anregungen bündelt Gurstelle in dem Buch »Messerwerfen & Absinth«. Es richtet sich an alle, die ahnen, dass es noch mehr im Leben geben muss. Gurstelle zeigt ihnen, woraus man Schwarzpulver herstellt, bei welcher Gelegenheit Rauchbomben einsetzbar sind, wie ein Flammenwerfer konstruiert wird, was beim Absinth trinken zu beachten ist, worin die Kunst des Messerwerfens besteht und viele nützliche Fertigkeiten mehr, die den Lebemann vom Langweiler unterscheiden.

Der Autor ist bisher durch einen etwas fragwürdigen Titel ("Messerwerfen & Absinth", ID-G 36/10) hervorgetreten. Hier legt er einen populären Band zu antiken und mittelalterlichen Wurfmaschinen und Katapulten vor, das sich auf den zweiten Blick als ein Bastelbuch für die Modelle der beschriebenen Vorbilder entpuppt. Gurstelle geht davon aus, dass die Bauanleitungen nur in Zusammenarbeit mit versierten Hobbybastlern zum Erfolg führen. Die Texte zur Geschichte der alten Artillerie sind sehr einfach gehalten und orientieren sich vorrangig an der Systematisierung und Beschreibung der unterschiedlichen Waffenarten. Dabei passieren einige Patzer: Z.B. geht das Kapitel über die "Antike" bis ins Mittelalter, der Mont Ségur und die Albigenseraufstände werden nach Italien verlegt (statt Frankreich). Die technischen Beschreibungen der Waffen sind sehr allgemein, es fehlen u.a. Maße, Wurfgewichte, Reichweiten. Die Fotos von erhaltenen und restaurierten Wurfmaschinen bleiben ohne Bildunterschrift. In Ermangelung von Alternativen bedingt empfohlen. (3) (Helmut Lange)

Ordinary folks can construct 13 awesome ballistic devices in their garage or basement workshops using inexpensive household or hardware store materials and this step-by-step guide. Clear instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build projects ranging from the simple—a match-powered rocket—to the more complex—a scale-model, table-top catapult—to the offbeat—a tennis ball cannon. With a strong emphasis on safety, the book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind the projects, and profiles scientists and extraordinary experimenters such as Alfred Nobel, Robert Goddard, and Isaac Newton. This book will be indispensable for the legions of backyard toy-rocket launchers and fireworks fanatics who wish every day was the fourth of July.

This bestselling DIY handbook now features new and expanded projects, enabling ordinary folks to construct 16 awesome ballistic devices using inexpensive household or hardware store materials.

This is the definitive guide to designing and building warrior robots like those seen on BattleBots , Robotica , and Robot Wars . It walks robot enthusiasts of all ages step-by-step through the design and building process, enabling them to create any number of customized warrior robots. With a strong emphasis on safety, chapters include designing a robot, choosing materials, radio control systems, electric motors, robot batteries, motor speed controllers, gasoline engines, and drive trains. Clear instructions are accompanied by photos, line drawings, and detailed diagrams throughout. A color section showcases a variety of glorious fighting machines. For beginners, there is machine shop 101 and robot physics, and, of course, chapters on weaponry that include spinner robots, thwackbots, cutting blade robots, lifters, and chameleon robots. When the bot of their dreams is built, suggestions on where to compete and game-day strategies and tactics help readers take the next step. An extensive resource section lists parts suppliers, pertinent Web sites, a radio frequency chart, and a glossary.

A man’s home is his castle, or so the saying goes, but could it withstand an attack by Attila and the Huns, Ragnar and the Vikings, Alexander and the Greeks, Genghis Khan and the Mongols, or Tamerlane and the Tartars? Backyard Ballistics author William Gurstelle poses this fascinating question to modern-day garage warriors and shows them how to build an arsenal of ancient artillery and fortifications aimed at withstanding these invading hordes. Each chapter introduces a new bad actor in the history of warfare, details his conquests, and features weapons and fortifications to defend against him and his minions. Clear step-by-step instructions, diagrams, and photographs show how to build a dozen projects, including “Da Vinci’s Catapult,” “Carpini’s Crossbow,” a “Crusader-Proof Moat,” “Alexander’s Tortoise,” and the “Cheval-de-frise.” With a strong emphasis on safety, the book also gives tips on troubleshooting, explains the physics behind many of the projects, and shows where to buy the materials. By the time they’ve reached the last page, at-home defenders everywhere will have succeeded in creating a fully fortified home.

A Selection of the Scientific American Book Club Want to add more excitement to your life?This daring combination of science, history, and DIY projects will show you how. Written for smart risk takers, it explores why danger is good for you and details the art of living dangerously.Risk takers are more successful, more interesting individuals who lead more fulfilling lives. Unlike watching an action movie or playing a video game, real-life experience changes a person, and Gurstelle will help you discover the true thrill of making black powder along with dozens of other edgy activities.All of the projects—from throwing knives, drinking absinthe, and eating fugu to cracking a bull whip, learning bartitsu, and building a flamethrower—have short learning curves, are hands-on and affordable, and demonstrate true but reasonable risk.With a strong emphasis on safety, each potentially life-altering project includes step-by-step directions, photographs, and illustrations along with troubleshooting tips from experts in the field.

Whether playing at defending their own castle or simply chucking pumpkins over a fence, wannabe marauders and tinkerers will become fast acquainted with Ludgar, the War Wolf, Ill Neighbor, Cabulus, and the Wild Donkey—ancient artillery devices known commonly as catapults. Building these simple yet sophisticated machines introduces fundamentals of math and physics using levers, force, torsion, tension, and traction. Instructions and diagrams illustrate how to build seven authentic working model catapults, including an early Greek ballista, a Roman onager, and the apex of catapult technology, the English trebuchet. Additional projects include learning how to lash and make rope and how to construct and use a hand sling and a staff sling. The colorful history of siege warfare is explored through the stories of Alexander the Great and his battle of Tyre; Saladin, Richard the Lionheart, and the Third Crusade; pirate-turned-soldier John Crabbe and his ship-mounted catapults; and Edward I of England and his battle against the Scots at Stirling Castle.