This is a shortish but well-illustrated account of Brunel's projects and achievements, covering his railway works, bridges, viaducts, tunnels, canals, and ships. He was a great (some say a genius) engineer and innovative designer, in some ways ahead of the technology of his time (as exemplified by the Atmospheric Train). Vaughan makes clear also that he was a deeply flawed human being, in his treatment of his collaborators, contractors and employees.This is not just in hindsight; at the time he was criticised both for his cavalier attitude to workplace safety and for his habit of late payments for work done under his management. Which had consequences for his success, as some of the major technical firms became reluctant to work with him, and his reluctance to take advice (he tended to make up his mind and stick to it come what may) led to personal and commercial difficulties.

160pp large format hardback; many b/w and coloured illustrations, diagrams and line drawings; index; short bibliography