Booby Traps! ─ The History of Deadly Devices, from World War I to Vietnam

War often provides a stimulus to technological development. Throughout the twentieth century, new technology was harnessed to produce increasingly deadly and malicious types of explosives in the form of booby traps, mines, delayed-action devices, and mobile charge. . . and often in the most innocuous and inconspicuous places. Intended to kill or injure, these lethal mechanisms function when a person disturbs or approaches a seemingly harmless object. Other times they are set off by remote control.

Compellingly written, and illustrated throughout with photos and schematic drawings,Booby Traps! traces the design, deployment, and effectiveness of these deadly devices, as well as the lengths armies have gone to gain an edge.

Ian Jones, MBE has worked in bomb disposal for nearly four decades. As a major in the British Army he served as Commanding Officer for all bomb disposal throughout Europe. Before retiring, he was Explosives Officer for the Metropolitan Police Force. He lives in Oxfordshire, England.