Book excerpt: Much attention in the book is given to experimental works of the recent period conducted under conditions which allow using results of an experiment as material for the creation of a theory and its check. The first chapter is devoted to the general characteristic of basic forms of chemical conversion of explosives and to main types of explosives with respect to composition, chemical structure and capability of stable combustion, and also to detonation. The second chapter examines the slow chemical conversion of explosives under the effect of increased temperature. The third chapter discusses experimental data on the stable combustion of explosives. Basic theories of combustion are examined, a correlation of experimental data with conclusions is produced in reference to various types of explosives (volatile, non-volatile and quick-burning). An account of the theory of the stability of combustion is given in the fifth chapter. Chapter six examines specific cases of the detonation and combustion of explosives in various conditions (intense heating, effect of light and others). (Author).