Online Catalogue last updated 17th of September 2023
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is a huge name in British engineering history, his legacy reaching almost legendary proportions. Brunel's designs revolutionised public transport and modern engineering, and although his projects were not always successful, they often contained innovative solutions to long-standing engineering problems. During his short career, Brunel not only created the Great Western Railway and constructed numerous important bridges and tunnels, but he achieved many engineering 'firsts', including assisting in the building of the first tunnel under a navigable river and development of SS Great Britain, the first propeller-driven ocean-going iron ship, which was at the time also the largest ship ever built. Although much has been written about the great man, this new book takes a unique angle and looks in depth at his letters and writings, revealing much about the real person. The author aims to make readers feel that they are standing next to Brunel as he works at his desk, and are travelling with him through Victorian Britain. They will feel the detail of his worries, his difficulties and tensions and ultimately realise his humanity - his genius and his fallibility. There is an ocean of research available and the author has concentrated on his early diaries, his work in planning and constructing the Great Western Railway, his relationships with assistants and contractors, with his enemies and close friends and relations. Included are some letters not written by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Some by his father, Marc Isambard because these relate to I.K Brunel's very early life and domestic affairs of middle age and a couple by his trusted assistant, John Hammond because they show how those close to him understood their master's drivers.
Code No. 015270, 288 pages, ISBN 9780711032804, $39.95