Imagine a world without fire. There would be no food, no artificial light and no way of keeping warm and cool climate. Fire can be dangerous, but over thousands of years we have learned to tame it. We use it to make pottery, glass, and metals. It enabled us to invent the steam engine, the internal combustions engine and the rocket. Where would we be without it? -- Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

How would you survive without fire? -- Would you like a little light? -- Coul you cope without cooking? -- Do you hanker for some heat? -- Could you be creative with clay? -- Could you turn a forest into a farm? -- Does your forge need fire? -- Do you fancy being a firefighter? -- Can you fight with fire? -- Are you all set for steam? -- Could you conceive of a car? -- Can you forecast the future of fire?.