Introduction. Lightning and Electrocution Safety. Part I: Design and Construction. Chapter 1: Types of Electrostatic Generators. Chapter 2: Elements of Good Design. Chapter 3: James Wimshurst's Influence Machine. Chapter 4: The Author's Generators. Chapter 5: Unusual Generator Designs. Chapter 6: Theories of Generator Operation. Chapter 7: Van de Graaff Generators. Part II: Accessory Instruments, Experiments, and Applications. Chapter 8: The Electroscope. Chapter 9: The Leyden Jar Condenser. Chapter 10: The Electrophorus. Chapter 11: Electrostatic Motors. Chapter 12: Electrohorticulture. Chapter 13: Electrotherapy. Chapter 14: High-Voltage Humans. Chapter 15: Cold Light. Chapter 16: Miscellaneous Experiments. Chapter 17: Electroaerodynamics. Chapter 18: Countergravitation. Chapter 19: Exploding Wire Experiments. Chapter 20: Unusual Electric Discharges. Chapter 21: Some Philosophical Conclusions and Insights. Appendix. Research Bibliography.

*****RAVE ONLINE REVIEW!..."Wimshurst Machine and other wonderful information. This is a must-buy book for the electrical experimenter and science/physics educator. Very well-written with unusual and unexpected material. Beautifully illustrated. Great plans for Wimshurst machine to make 14 inch sparks! Kinetic gravity and countergravitation experiments/information and more!""Modern, detailed view of mysterious subject. This is an area of science that seems neglected, hidden in the back room of the 'mad scientist.' However, this book details both traditional and modern means of obtaining, using, measuring & studying aspects of static electricity... All in all, a very informative, even enjoyable read for anyone interested in high-voltage electrostatics.""An indispensable guide to anyone interested in starting out in electrostatics. It gives a wonderful overview of the principles involved, and takes the reader on a thorough tour of how to go about building both sectorless-Wimshurst and Van de Graaff generators. A must-have for electrostatic enthusiasts."Build a Wimshurst generator or modify your Van de Graaff for creative, hands-on experiments--explore the wide-open frontiers of electrostatics.Enter the wide-open frontier of high-voltage electrostatics with this fascinating, experiment-filled guide. You'll discover how to make your own equipment, how electricity is used in healing, and the workings of many experiments in high potential physics! Starting with electrostatic basics, R.A. Ford's highly praised Homemade Lightning entertains, instructs, and challenges. It's the only comprehensive electrostatics book packed with useful projects for serious hobbyists, students, inventors, and experimenters!LOADS OF FASCINATING EXPERIMENTS AND ILLUSTRATIONSPerfect for beginning electrical experimentation or advancing an interest in electrostatics, Homemade Lightning takes you through electrostatic generator construction and operation to prepare you for a number of unusual projects. Inside, you'll find a complete description of several types of generators, including the Wimshurst and Van de Graaff, plus specific details for experiments with* Electroscopes* Electrohorticulture* Electroaerodynamics* High-voltage capacitators* Countergravitation* Cold light* Electric tornadoes* And moreFROM THE PAST TO THE FUTUREFeaturing beautiful illustrations from turn-of-the-century science journals of Victorian-era electrostatic generator designs, Homemade Lightning provides hard-to-find information on electrical anomalies--the key to the future of electrostatic research. This is a book that everyone interested in the mystery and power of lighting will treasure.

From January/February 2003 issue Hands-on high-voltage experimentalists interested in electrostatic machines will love this book. Filled with design plans for building electrostatic generators and various high-voltage components, this book provides the necessary details to construct these devices. Like the first two editions, there are detailed plans describing the construction of a Wimhurst machine. This edition however, details a more simplified but larger and improved version than previously described. There is also now an entire chapter devoted to Van de Graff generators describing the principles of operation, construction, modifications for improvement, and making accessories. There are many illustrations and photos describing the construction of these generators as well as methods for making electroscopes, large capacitors, and an electrophorus. There are many tips and tricks revealed that show how to make various parts like high-voltage corona spheres, shorting rods, and terminals. Other topics include electrostatic motors, cold light, levitation, exploding wire experiments, and historical notes on unusual electric discharges. A revised bibliography and materials supplier list also made in this new edition. Anyone with an interest in high-voltage electrostatics will find this book to be not only a "cookbook" for designing and building high-voltage generators but also an historical account of the Wimhurst and Van de Graff generators. IEEE Electrical Installation Magazine 20030115