This unique and encyclopedic reference work describes the evolution of the physics of modern shock wave and detonation from the earlier and classical percussion. The history of this long and complex process is first reviewed in a general survey that encompasses everything from the earliest observations and interpretations of puzzling high-rate dynamic phenomena of natural and man-made explosions to the discussion of the merits of modern numerical computer simulations. Subsequently, the subject is treated in more detail and in chronological order in the central section of the book, while also being richly illustrated in form of a picture gallery. The bibliographies index provides 122 short biographies of eminent researchers who have contributed to the field. Further references on biographical sources are given, and both name and subject indices (with over 3400 and 1700 entries respectively) are provided.

Zusammenfassung
The aim of an encyclopaedia is to gather together the currently accepted. Since progress in natural science and knowledge scattered over the face of the Earth, to set forth technology is generally advancing with increasing speed its general plan to the men with whom we live and to tra- the rapid progress in computer science and software dev- mit it to the men who will come after us, in order that the la- 1 bors of past centuries may not have been in vain opment is only one striking example of our time it has - come more and more difficult to clearly distinguish between Denis DIDEROT Paris 1755 past and present achievements as well as to analyze their impact on other branches of science from the distant view of a historian. Recent achievements may be rated by future generations as important historical milestones, or may be HIS BOOK is an outgrowth of a previous handbook ar- 2 T ticle on the history of shock waves. While preparing forgotten completely. The scientific and technical achievements of percussion, the manuscript for this handbook, it quickly became app- explosions and shock wave research made throughout human ent that this field of enormous breadth could not be a- quately treated without also including the evolution of re- history are too immense even to be cataloged. Up to now they have been determined by estimating industrial and mi- search into percussion and explosion.

Inhalt
General Survey.- Chronology.- Picture Gallery.- Biographies Index.