I appreciate the growing level of confidence that if through a freak accident involving a skunkworks time travel project, a dimensional flutter, or odd encounter with Mark Twain in a San Francisco back street I was warped to 13th/14th century Europe I would be able to earn my keep improving the state of the gunpowder industry.


Which is the secret hope of everyone reading popular histories of technology -- after all you've got to cover your bases.

I can't help but think this will serve me better in establishing my medieval power base then Kurlansky's tips on making world class pickles through out history. (though talk about a double threat!)