Fantastic treasure
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I was given this book as a present and it is truely a beautiful production. The illustrations and diagrams are plentiful and superb. Steven Brindle's text is both well researched and understandable, giving fine examples to illustrate his point. I cannot think that M. J. Clarke below has spent much time with this book as there are diagrams gallore and the pull out illustration of SS Great Britain is a delight.
Dan Cruikshank writes a beautiful introduction and the story of Brunel is both interesting and informative with accurrate facts and it is obviously well reseached. After all Wasn't it Brindle who discovered Brunels early bridge behind Paddington Station - he should know his stuff.
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Don't understand why this is so highly rated
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I'm disappointed with the book, and slightly perplexed with the reviews it has been given to date.
Firstly, the style is feels awkwardly 'casual' to me - it obviously isn't aimed as a particularly formal history book (fine), but tries to impact some 'Jeremy Clarkson' enthusiasm which doesn't ring true to me (awkward like my Dad trying to dress casual!)
I was disappointed by the limited technical explanations on the engineering - I realise that the book need to be accessible to all, but it left me unsatisfied. Some more diagrams please! My imagination isn't as good a Brunel's!!
There are lots of comments like "...its complexities can only be hinted at here" and disclaimers all over the place. At less than 200 pages of large type I also felt short-changed by the quantity. The editing was also rather poor, with some sentences seeming repeated during the book - a little slap-dash on the old copy-and-paste!
Repeatedly throughout the book there are disclaimers such as: "It is important to remember that there is no catalogue of Brunel's works...". Brunel always 'seems' or 'appears' to have done something - it's all a bit vague (or that might be Brindle's attempt at a down-to-earth style), and that's all contradictory to comments that Brunel "must be one of the most well-document individuals...in British history". Maybe the answer relates to Brunel "leaving a huge archive of documents...much of this immense collection remains unexplored" - I can't see much evidence of primary research - the book seems to be a mainly a quick re-hash (and cash-in) of other biographies. I was looking for some substance.
Not that it's all bad by any means...some positive have already been pointed out in other reviews.
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Brunel: The Man Who Built the World.
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This book is quite amazing: brilliant in fact and comes with the highest of recommendations. The author combines documentary research, social history and the most appropriate of illustrations into a beautiful volume.
The fold-out pages are incredible: being something quite imaginative and different which the publishers should be justifiably proud of. The stunning visual impact of the illustrations all but masks the superior quality of the text – which is deceptively easy to read. I say deceptive because it is not everyone who can explain technology, mechanical engineering and architecture etc. in such a clear and accessible style. Take, for example, the chapter explaining Brunel’s effect on traditional assumptions re ship design and steam power which he ‘blew apart with an inimitable blend of mathematics and instinct.’ – stylish indeed.
Observation of things I had taken for granted, or barely noticed before like ‘skew bridges’ are highlighted and explained so that it now seems blindingly obvious, but only as a result of the author’s undoubted skill and mastery of his subject.
I didn’t know a lot about Brunel before I started reading but at the end felt I knew not just about his life and works but about his character and what he might have been like to live and work with. Steven Brindle conveys all this with enthusiasm and a genuine appreciation and admiration for his subject - whilst still revealing flaws in the great man’s character with understanding and perception. Moving too in places: as demonstrated by his colleague Daniel Gooch’s tribute to him after his death and with a lighter touch in recording his treatment of another employee: Fripp.
Am also impressed by the price for such a lavishly illustrated book – although am not complaining …more of the same, please.
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Fabulous Present
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This book was given to me and it is so beautifully written and illustrated I shall treasure it always. It has a wonderful introduction by Dan Cruilshank and excellent text by Steven Brindle who has obviously done his research well. The book is written in an easy, flowing manner and is really makes you feel that you know the true Isambard Kingdom Brunel -what a man!
I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in engineering, social history, or just Brunel. It looks great on a coffee table too and I tend to lose all hope of conversation with anyone who picks it up, as they are instantly absorbed in this book. Excellent idea for Christmas presents.
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