Book Review: Iron, Stone and Steam: Brunel's Railway Empire, by Tim Bryan

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US 

Anyone who has visited the SS Great Britain or crossed one of his bridges has to be impressed by the talent of Isambard Kingdom Brunel.  This new book by Tim Bryan reveals an unexpected side to this visionary engineer.

The launch of the SS Great Britain in 1843 (Wikimedia Commons)

His ideas were often opposed by his engineering contemporaries, and his proposals for a new approach to railways was at odds with thinking at the time, such as his rivals George and Robert Stephenson.

Surprisingly modern in his approach to self publicity and promoting his 'brand', behind the facade Brunel's diaries reveal a much less certain, even pessimistic man, full of self doubt.

At the same time, he shows great leadership, working hard to set an example to his team, as well as what we would now call formidable project management skills.

In the end, it was the hard work, long hours, and endless 'trademark' cigars that finished Brunel. Incredibly detailed yet a very readable account, I recommend this book to anyone with an interest in the history of railway engineering.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Tim Bryan spent twenty-one years working as curator at the GWR and STEAM museums in Swindon and is now Head of Collections at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. He is the author of more than fifteen books, and many articles on railway and heritage topics. You can find him on Twitter @timb6000