Brunel's testament.

BRUNEL: THE MAN WHO BUILT THE WORLD

By Steven Brindle (introduction by Dan Cruickshank). London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson. 2005. [pounds sterling]25

This year, the 200th anniversary of I. K. Brunei's birthday, will witness yet another surge in popular interest in the man who the British public recognise as second only to Churchill in greatness. Why this should be so can only be that, like Churchill, he changed our world, and his legacy is just as tangible today as it was 150 years ago.

There are many books, both to read and as reference on the great Victorians, and Brindle's book neatly bridges a gap, serving as reference and inspiration as well as being a good read--albeit too large and heavy to take on holiday. Its lavish contemporary illustrations, with beautiful photography, foldout drawings, sections and paintings give one a sense of being in the archives. Brindle brings a refreshing quality to a story already well told, and combined with the illustrations, it makes one long for more. The text is neither overly technical nor learned and is perfectly capable of being read by anyone with an interest in Brunei, the period or in engineering in general. However, one weakness is that, for those who would like to delve deeper, it lacks any sourced references.

The book breaks down into eight substantial chapters which carry the story by focusing on father and son; his early life in London and Bristol; family life; his office team; his professional life and legacy; and a major chapter each on railways, bridges and ships. This format makes the story compelling and easily comprehensible, but in the process, Brindle begins to see his subject in the context of the projects rather than of the time and, irritatingly, finds it surprising that 'while furiously busy with the design of his railways he should have found time to think about a completely different subject [ship design]'. That Brunel was not alone in seeking to change the world and assist his fellow men in maintaining their regional, if not national, superiority should not be in question. Brunei's testament is that he found the answers and delivered, often far in excess of what might have been expected. If one could return to those times it would not just be to witness Brunei meeting with his fellow engineers, but also to be at meetings with the directors of the GWR, and the merchant families, artists and musicians with whom he also spent time. (His wife's family, as the book points out, was singularly cultivated.)

In writing about people such as Brunei there is a tendency to pigeonhole them as either one thing or another, suggesting that because he was involved in muck and brass he may have lacked more refined tastes. The fact that he could deal with contractors in a more than robust manner might suggest that he was less sensitive to the world and people around him. Brindle's book goes some way to resolving this but, of necessity, dwells on the hugely busy fife he led in building his legacy, and in the process, misses again the opportunity to describe his life in the manner that was so beautifully achieved by Kate Colquhoun in her story of Joseph Paxton. Perhaps this will be addressed later in the year as further books are published.

The book has an introduction by Dan Cruickshank which one imagines may advance its sales. Unfortunately, however, it dwells far too intensely on the world of architectural critique and while deserving, is somewhat misplaced. I suggest that you skip it.

This is a book for anybody who loves engineering--it can be read in part or in whole and is a worthy addition to any library.

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