The foreword to my hardcover version was written in 1965 in Wellington, NZ. Perhaps New Zealand was not the epicentre of the "swinging 60's" or perhaps people there just valued good, old-fashioned common sense, but this book is like a trip back to Britain of the 19th century, where the monograph was a highly respected form of writing.

This book does not attempt to get philosophical, whimsical or even overly didactic, yet it contains everything you could want to know about the basics of glass production and glassblowing for the science lab. Safety and health risks, workshop, tools, cleaning, equipment, ordering, stock control, technique, repair, design, composition and properties of the most widely-used glasses are all spelled out in a no-nonsense fashion.

This is a book that would interest the dilettante who had no intention of ever placing a piece of glass rod or tube near a flame, but who simply wanted to know more about a totally fascinating process that combines science, art and craftsmanship.

Anyone who has the responsibility for training lab technicians or Science students really should have access to this book. It's a complete classroom text and training course, but equally suitable for private study by individuals. Anyone leaning towards a more artistic use of glass and glassblowing, would also find the information here of tremendous use.

If one were compiling an encyclopaedia, this single volume would satisfy most folks as the sole entry for "glassblowing".