Victorian Engineering (L.T.C. Rolt Collection)

Bought as a present and it bought some escape from the pain, plus a distraction for someone who is normally active. Thanks

History has become a popular TV and coffee table book subject over the last few years and often done well. However, often I'm left feeling I need to know a little more and therefore I look for additional books on the subject. This appealed because it focus' on possible Britain's greatest ever period, the Victorian one.Not sure exactly when this book was written but late 60's or early 70's. The author therefore comes from an era when readers where understood to be intelligent human beings with the capacity to think and to understand information and opinion without resorting to gimmicks. This is not a 'pop' history book.Nor is it a heavy unreadable one. It is written for those who have an attention span greater than the life of a soap bubble and who can read and digest a book minus large amounts of pictures. There is a wealth of information and reasoned opinion from a man who has clearly done his research well. It's probably the best book covering engineering of this period that I've read and a must for those who find the subject of the huge engineering changes exacted over the Victorian period interesting.Overall, a brilliant book.

In "Victorian Engineering" LTC Rolt provides a wonderfully readable history of the industrial revolution in Britain from the perspective of the magnificent engineering triumphs achieved. The book celebrates the well-know greats of engineering, but also many others we should know more about. Mr Rolt also comments on the decline of Britain's leadership of the field of engineering - putting this down to snobbery and a lack of vision. As the title suggests, the book focusses on the Victorian era and only gives limited coverage of earlier developments (with the exception of James Watt). Mr Rolt's prose is elegant, fresh and energetic and this is a great read. This book was published nearly 40 years ago and remains compelling reading for anyone interested in the subject.

I am a devotee of Tom Rolt's writing but I have to say that this publication of this book does him no justice, indeed I believe poor Tom may be turning in his grave. I am enjoying the writing but already by page 27 there are so many silly typos that it is clear no proof reding was done. Much more serious is that already two dates are wrong, seriously wrong, by 100 years each. According to the text George Stephenson died in 1949, he would have been very old by then! That one is obvious, but here is another. The dual tunnel at Woodhead was bored in 1949, not 1849 as stated, anyone not familiar with the subject would not be aware of the discrepancy. It is a poor compliment to LTC Rolt that this publication is so badly presented.

LTC Rolt is a master of his subject and as such manages to write very well informed and interesting books on the wide subject of engineering history. He also provides some quite amusing asides along the way that serve to add a lighter note to the detail. All in all,a very enjoyable read.

This is a Christmas gift for a friend - I hope he likes it

Good price and delivery. Interesting book. Would have liked more illustrations to support the descriptions of engineering advances.

For budding engineers