Prokop is a scientist who has a passion for the chemistry of explosives; this passion flowers in the discovery of Krakatit, a new explosive infinitely more powerful than any previously known, an explosive capable of wrecking the world; the small box of Krakatit is stolen; Prokop, in a panic of fear lest his terrible discovery do irreparable harm to humankind, begins frantically to chase what faint clues he has.

"Krakatit is a book to own and not to borrow."

-The Central European Observer

"The book is an adventure story, a fantastic mystery tale; but fundamentally it is a tour de force, the literary representation of the idea of explosion."

-Time

"The story rushes on tearing wheels like a high power car."

-The Virginia Quarterly

"This is a highly explosive book and must be handled with the utmost care."

-The Slavonic Review

"Čapek's dramatic instinct is unerring; he extracts from -every situation an essence of terror, pity, or comedy that gives -emotional significance to the smallest episode."

-Times Literary Supplement