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Engineers
Full of incredible tales of achievement and ingenuity, Engineers celebrates the greatest engineers that ever lived and the stamp they have left on our world.
Learn all about how engineering projects have changed the course of history and added to human progress, from those who built the Great Pyramid in Egypt to the Industrial Revolution and beyond. Discover the impressive structures of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the first forays into space travel, and the pioneering computer scientists of today.
From initial concepts to prototypes and finished designs, Engineers is full to bursting with technical drawings, specially commissioned artworks, blueprints and virtual tours that help bring engineering's greatest structures, inventions and technological breakthroughs to life.
Learn all about how engineering projects have changed the course of history and added to human progress, from those who built the Great Pyramid in Egypt to the Industrial Revolution and beyond. Discover the impressive structures of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the first forays into space travel, and the pioneering computer scientists of today.
From initial concepts to prototypes and finished designs, Engineers is full to bursting with technical drawings, specially commissioned artworks, blueprints and virtual tours that help bring engineering's greatest structures, inventions and technological breakthroughs to life.
360 pages, Hardcover
First published April 16, 2012
8 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 28, 2021
This book was okay but it wasn't great. The people who were covered were covered pretty interestingly, and the overall design was generally good, with good images, layout, etc. (except that there are a lot of timelines that are not to any scale which annoyed me).
The real problem with this book is the choice of who got included: almost all (especially in the 1700s-on) are European or American, and all but one are male! The book also buys into the myth that nothing interesting got done in the European Middle Ages, which given the invention of gothic cathedrals and stuff is pretty clearly false. I would have liked to see more diverse ancient engineering, including pre-Columbian engineering in the Americas and engineering in Sub-Saharan Africa. I would also have liked more diversity in the more recent (say, 1800's-on) engineers. Like, more than one woman, and some non-white folks.
I also would have liked a little more on the negative side of some of these inventors/their inventions. Like, was the guy a Nazi or a slave-owner? Say so! Or how the cotton gin really contributed to a resurgence of American slavery.
Overall the book was interesting and informative but it could also have been much better.
The real problem with this book is the choice of who got included: almost all (especially in the 1700s-on) are European or American, and all but one are male! The book also buys into the myth that nothing interesting got done in the European Middle Ages, which given the invention of gothic cathedrals and stuff is pretty clearly false. I would have liked to see more diverse ancient engineering, including pre-Columbian engineering in the Americas and engineering in Sub-Saharan Africa. I would also have liked more diversity in the more recent (say, 1800's-on) engineers. Like, more than one woman, and some non-white folks.
I also would have liked a little more on the negative side of some of these inventors/their inventions. Like, was the guy a Nazi or a slave-owner? Say so! Or how the cotton gin really contributed to a resurgence of American slavery.
Overall the book was interesting and informative but it could also have been much better.
July 23, 2015
A terrific book covering the many persons that have contributed to applied science over the years. Starting with advances in Egypt, Greece and Rome, the book reviews advancements chronologically through to the LHC.
The articles pay careful attention to the individuals who made the advancements, many of whom introduced a variety of new ideas. While many are reasonably well known, the book includes a number whose contribution is less well known.
A wide variety of technologies is covered, including civil, electrical, mechanical and metallurgical.
The book often leads one to the web to find out more about the various technologies mentioned in the book - a single article can lead to an hour or more of additional exploration.
The articles pay careful attention to the individuals who made the advancements, many of whom introduced a variety of new ideas. While many are reasonably well known, the book includes a number whose contribution is less well known.
A wide variety of technologies is covered, including civil, electrical, mechanical and metallurgical.
The book often leads one to the web to find out more about the various technologies mentioned in the book - a single article can lead to an hour or more of additional exploration.
May 14, 2018
Very Eurocentric. Learnt about a few obscure engineers.
August 23, 2023
This book gives me a profound insight into the engineering world.
There are several inventions from ancient times to modern times that sometimes we overlooked and it makes me realize how capable human beings can be. Moving through the ages, the book seamlessly transitions to the modern era, where the intricate interplay of scientific knowledge, technological advancement, and human perseverance has given rise to some of the most groundbreaking achievements. One of the standout sections discusses the challenges and innovations in space exploration. From the colossal Saturn V rockets of the Apollo era to the cutting-edge spacecraft that currently navigate the cosmos, the narrative shines a light on the brilliance of engineers who pushed the boundaries of what seemed feasible.
There are several inventions from ancient times to modern times that sometimes we overlooked and it makes me realize how capable human beings can be. Moving through the ages, the book seamlessly transitions to the modern era, where the intricate interplay of scientific knowledge, technological advancement, and human perseverance has given rise to some of the most groundbreaking achievements. One of the standout sections discusses the challenges and innovations in space exploration. From the colossal Saturn V rockets of the Apollo era to the cutting-edge spacecraft that currently navigate the cosmos, the narrative shines a light on the brilliance of engineers who pushed the boundaries of what seemed feasible.
February 15, 2024
This book is an encyclopedia that introduces the achievements of engineering predecessors and architects from around the world, along with photographs.
From pyramids to spaceships, all historical buildings were created by engineers.
My Buddhist teacher taught me that the hands are the most creative part of the human body.
Among the many buildings, the pyramids of ancient Egypt are one of the mysteries of the world.
It is a geometrically perfect structure that cannot be reproduced by modern engineers with the latest equipment. And yet, it was built more than 4,500 years ago.
From pyramids to spaceships, all historical buildings were created by engineers.
My Buddhist teacher taught me that the hands are the most creative part of the human body.
Among the many buildings, the pyramids of ancient Egypt are one of the mysteries of the world.
It is a geometrically perfect structure that cannot be reproduced by modern engineers with the latest equipment. And yet, it was built more than 4,500 years ago.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews