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BECKETT, DERRICK: : BRUNEL'S BRITAIN

UK.NEWTON ABBOT,DEVON.DAVID & CHARLES (PUBLISHERS) LIMITED,1981.[2nd imp.]

ISBN 0715379739.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,2nd imp.[First published by this publisher 1980,this example,its 2nd impression.1981.] FINE/FINE.No owner inscrptn and no clip to dw/dj - absence of publisher's price - generally believed to be an export edn. Bright,crisp,clean,glossy,wrap-around colour pictorial illustrated dw/dj with dark brown lettering within a yellow panel to front, similar lettering to spine whose colour illustration continuation is inevitably sunned/faded,rear panel with 3 montage'd assorted contemporary sepia photographs; with negligible shelf-wear, bumping,creasing to edges and corners - no nicks,tears or splits present.Very minor, minimal and superficial scoring/indents to either panel - without penetration,nor affecting the boards beneath.Top+fore- edges bright and clean; contents bright, tight,clean,solid and and sound - virtually pristine - no dog-ear reading creases to any pages' corners,appears unread,apart from my own collation.Bright, crisp,clean,sharp-cornered,publisher's original,plain dark brown cloth boards with bright,crisp,blocked gilt letters to spine,and immaculate plain white endpapers.UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,2nd imp, 8-222pp [paginated] includes author's preface+acknowledgements,an introduction,a chronicle of events,11 chapters,80+ b/w illus/ diagrams,60+ b/w photographs - all interspersed throughout the text and the book,a gazetteer,technical appendices(11), a 2pp bibliography and an index.Plus [unpaginated] half-title whose reverse is part of double-paged scenic b/w photographic illustrated title page,a contents list/table,with Prince Philip epigram to its reverse and 2pp blanks at the rear of the book. What Brunel achieved in his short career, and the way he changed the face of parts of Britain,were truly astonishing.His most famous works such as the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash,the Clifton Suspension Bridge,Paddington Station and Bristol Temple Meads too,have long been accepted as part of our heritage,but four generations after his death,there are numerous lesser known structures still functioning efficiently - and often more in harmony with the landscape than later projects. Here is the first systematic appraisal of Brunel's engineering achievements, arguably the greatest contribution to 19thC industrial architecture.They are seen in historical perspective and in close-up from the engineering and architectural points of view.Why did Brunel decide to do it that way; what were his alternatives? Was he wasteful? Daniel Gooch,his locomotive engineer,and later chairman of the GWR,once said: 'The commercial world thought him extravagant, but although he was so,great things are not done by those who count the cost of every thought and act.' and yet we learn here that Brunel's attention to detail was usually meticulous. A gazetteer encourages the reader to inspect what remains of structures engineered with an enthusiasm,imagination and flair the life of which has rarely been equalled.The text is enhanced by over eighty beautifully drawn diagrams,some likely to be of particular interest to the modeller,and over sixty outstanding photographs which where mostly taken for a public exhibition on Brunel's life and work. Please contact seller,for correct,insured shipping/P+p quotes - particularly ALL overseas customers - BEFORE ordering through the order page! ** N.B. UK,buyers please note,stocks' actual shipping/P+p costs are adjusted and any difference is refunded,after order receipt and before the order's despatch, especially if item is offered P+p included. ** N.B. US customers please be aware: US standard AIR postage from UK to US can now cost more than the price of the book! If speed is not of the essence,then Economy rate is recommended - at approx. 1/2 to 2/3rds of standard US AIR quote/rate - sometimes arriving long before the quoted 42 days - but not always.

UK,8vo HB+dw/dj,1st edn,2nd imp.
Not SIGNED.

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