Gunpowder & Glory

“The real life Q and Bond all rolled into one...Authors Harry Smee, Brock’s grandson and former acting editor of the Sunday Express Henry Macrory don’t disappoint in Gunpowder & Glory, the first biography of a man whose initials appropriately spelt FAB.” ~RAF News

"For readers wanting to learn about one of the more significant military innovators of World War I, this expertly researched and well-written book is highly recommended." ~Over the Front

"Smee and Macrory present a well-written book that illuminates the actions on the British home front during the Great War and what it means for a soldier to sacrifice all. Highly recommended for Anglophiles and those interested in World War I history." ~Library Journal

"A book that reads like fascinating dinner conversation. . . . Frank lived at a time when it was possible — and men, at any rate, were encouraged — to be more than one thing. . . . He should have been in a lab somewhere, cooking up another bullet, another light, . . . . Today, he surely would be suitably contained, his efforts efficiently channeled, his spirit carefully and surgically broken." ~The Spectator

"Gunpowder & Glory is a glorious book to read, told at a racing pace and well-illustrated. This is a must-read book." ~Warships International

‘ Gunpowder and Glory is the inspirational and humbling tale of Frank Brock. Soldier, aviator, spy and scientist Brock was D’Artagnan and Buchan woven into one glorious romantic being. With a bit of Von Richthofen thrown in for good measure! This beautifully crafted story describes a man who lived his life on an heroic scale, finally succumbing in 1918 to the cutlass of a German sailor whom he is now buried beside in peace. I cannot commend this book enough. It will bring tears of disbelief and pride to your eyes.’ ~General Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO, former Chief of the Defence Staff

‘The life story of Wing Commander Frank Brock so vividly and compellingly portrayed in Gunpowder and Glory is a must read. A daredevil adventurer who was prepared to take risks and to push the boundaries, “Fireworks” Brock’s life was lived to the full. At the outbreak of WW1 he was an early recruit into the emerging Royal Naval Air Service where his pyrotechnics expertise was instrumental in the conquest of the Zeppelin bomber scourge. His smokescreen exploits in the St George’s Day Zeebrugge raid were equally critical to the success of that operation. As the story unfolds of this charismatic character, which is so well illustrated by numerous quotes of praise for his contribution and heroism, one is forced to recognise the importance of this story being told.' ~Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope GCB OBE DL, former First Sea Lord

‘Frank Brock is a hero whose story needs to be told. While his inventiveness touched many operational and tactical challenges faced by Britain during the First World War, it is for his contribution to the Raid on Zeebrugge that he will be remembered. Without doubt, Brock’s smokescreen and other specifically designed pyrotechnics ensured that the flotilla and assault force could get alongside the Mole almost undetected, and withdraw on completion of the raid, but his personal courage determination, leadership and inspiration to others came to the fore as he stormed ashore. … On a night when eight VCs were won, there are many who believed Brock deserved one too. He died, facing unbeatable odds, but undeterred and displaying the patriotism and moral compass that had been imbued in him from his formative schooldays. A colleague summed up his contribution by stating simply “he played the game to the end.” There were many that night who owed their lives to Brock; this book demonstrates why.' ~Major General Garry Robison CB, former Commandant General of the Royal Marine

‘’...this very readable book has many connections with the subcontinent, and the story of fireworks and their role as entertainment and spectacle over the centuries is a bonus.’’ ~Durbar

‘’ Frank Brock […] an heroic figure of WW I.  An endless series of adventures, inventions and innovations. An interesting read.’’ ~The Armourer

‘’Accessibly and attractively written . . . a fascinating story of one of the most amazing figures in the history of the Royal Navy and a recommended read.’’ ~Navy News

‘...an excellent book, well illustrated throughout and a good read. It flows well and has obviously been well researched. I would suspect it would appeal to anybody with an interest in the First World War and to those who like things that go bang!’’ ~Army Rumour Service

‘’...its fascinating dust cover is based on a Brock’s poster for the Crystal Palace summer display season of 1909, the fireworks for which were made in the factory on Gander Green Lane.’’ ~Past on Glass

‘’A fascinating and engaging biography that will add depth and colour to any Great War Guide’s knowledge.’’ ~Despatches

‘’Gunpowder & Glory is a glorious book to read, told at a racing pace and well-illustrated. This is a must read book.’’ ~Warships International Fleet Review

‘’Frank Brock is a hero whose story needs to be told.’’ ~The Globe

‘’A fascinating combination of military and corporate history. This fascinating book does a good job of telling their story.’’ ~Baird Maritime

‘’The first biography of Frank Brock, one of Sutton’s most famous residents, has just been published.'' ~Sutton Voice

‘’It is a fascinating story in its own right! This is a great book, easy to read and with much background information useful for wargamers.  Brock himself is larger than life and an astonishing figure; strongly recommended.’’ ~Miniature Wargames

“This book has all the ingredients for an explosive yarn. It doesn’t disappoint. A fascinating and well-researched read, not just for military enthusiasts but for anybody.“ ~Love Reading

‘’My Book of the Year...is the larger-than-life tale of the scion of a famous fireworks company who invented the explosive bullet that brought down Zeppelins and was killed on the daring Zeebrugge Raid in 1918. Smee, the grandson of Brock, uses access to the family archive to tell for the first time the extraordinary life and death of this daredevil combatant, secret agent and brilliant inventor.’’ ~Aspects on History

"There is something of the ripping yarn about it, and with the descriptions of Frank Brock as a '…daredevil combatant, secret agent and brilliant inventor…. pyrotechnical genius, one of Britain’s great, unsung heroes….' plus the lurid cover, I felt that I was in for an enjoyable read. I wasn’t wrong." ~Naval Review

"In places, Brock’s own life reads so fantastical you might think Rudyard Kipling had invented it, but all was true. […] This is a story well told." ~Muster Magazine

"Admiral Keyes, in trying to dissuade him from taking part in the raid, had told Brock beforehand that his genius for inventions was just too valuable. Unfortunately, it was not in the nature of this unique individual to listen." ~NavyBooks

"Brock was both an ingenious inventor and man of action – a man who well deserves this well written and illustrated biography authored by his grandson and a journalist." ~Garrison Library

"...a very well-written and gripping book partly on a global fireworks company and partly on apparently one of the most critical persons on the British side in WWI." ~International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence