Isambard Kingdom Brunel: Engineering Knight Errant

by Adrian Vaughan (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1991

  $3.25

  This biography attempts to show Brunel as he actually was. Adrian Vaughan, drawing on evidence ignored or suppressed in Rolt's classic life, reveals not just an engineer of genius, a fountain of original ideas and nervous energy, a born actor and a courageous leader, but also a man who was obstinate, unjust, dictatorial and, in the end, paranoid. Outwardly indomitable, Brunel was driven by his blue devils : fears and insecurities he confided only to a journal he kept locked. This drive cost others dear: the Thames Tunnel cost lives, including nearly his own; the Great Western Railway, the finest work in England , left contractors bankrupt; his experiments with the atmospheric railway cost shareholders their savings. He was an engineering knight errant, not interested in mundane solutions for the benefit of shareholders but in dramatic projects that would make his name. Throughout his life he ruthlessly pursued fame, and he worked himself to an early death. Brunel's superbly engineered railways, daringly designed bridges, and three great ships - more ambitious than anything attempted for decades afterwards - serve as his monument. Much of his work is still in place, as serviceable as when it was built. But he sold his soul to ambition, and like Faust he paid.

• Used

  Paperback
  2003

  $3.25

  Brunel very nearly amazed us all by being named outright winner on BBC TV's Greatest Britons, where he was presented by Jeremy Clarkson. In this classic biography, Adrian Vaughan draws on evidence never used before to reveal not just an engineer of genius, a fountain of original ideas and nervous energy, a born actor and courageous leader, but also a man who was obstinate, unjust, dictatorial and in the end paranoid. Outwardly indomitable, Brunel was driven by his 'blue devils': fears and insecurities he confided only to a journal he kept locked. His drive cost others dear: lives and fortunes were lost in the execution of his dramatic projects. He was an engineering knight-errant, not interested in mundane solutions but in daring experiments that would make him famous. Brunel's superbly engineered railways and bridges, and three great ships, serve as his monument. Much of his work is still in place, as serviceable as when it was first built. But he sold his soul to ambition, and like Faust he paid.