Absinthe and Flamethrower Review in Today's New York Times

(Bill Gurstelle is guest blogging here on Boing Boing. He is the author of several books including Backyard Ballistics, and the recently published Absinthe and Flamethrowers. Twitter: @wmgurst)

People have good days and bad days. Today, I'm pleased to say, I am having a very good day.Forgive me for tooting my own horn, but how often does this happen to a person?

Top of page C6, Today's New York Times: Here's an excerpt; the full review is here.

For Those Who Like Danger, the Home Book of Things Not to Try at Home

But when it comes to the theory and practice of making your own noisy, mildly dangerous fun in the backyard, America has a new poet laureate. His name is William Gurstelle, and he staked his claim to do-it-yourself greatness in 2001 with his friendly paperback book "Backyard Ballistics." Its subtitle tells you all you need to know: "Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices." According to the author, it has sold more than 250,000 copies. I keep a well-thumbed copy in the upstairs bathroom.

Mr. Gurstelle, a professional engineer, has now returned with a more contemplative if no less wonky and gonzo book called "Absinthe & Flamethrowers: Projects and Ruminations on the Art of Living Dangerously." It explores the significance of moderate risk taking to our happiness, well-being and career advancement. (Managers who take the greatest risks are the most successful, he observes.)

It's also a book that contains meticulous directions for making a real, live, beastly flamethrower in your garage -- albeit the propane kind, not the ridiculously dangerous liquid-based variety.

[#1 posted by millionpoems, June 10, 2009 7:49 AM]

"This Old Tennis Ball Mortar." Haw!

[#2 posted by Anonymous, June 10, 2009 7:51 AM]

I have a suspicion that here in the UK I could be arrested for owning a copy of that.

Having said that, I really want a copy and will be searching for it at Foyles asap!

[#3 posted by Beanolini, June 10, 2009 9:55 AM]

#2, Anonymous:

I have a suspicion that here in the UK I could be arrested for owning a copy of that.

Is it "Information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism"? If so, then yes.

On a vaguely related subject, if you build a compressed-air powered spud gun in the UK, it's only legal if its projectile has less than12 ft lbs kinetic energy, and it's not "disguised as another object".

[#4 posted by Gilbert Wham, June 10, 2009 12:34 PM]

#4: But, if you look hard enough, there's a 'Me'...