Few of the early civil engineers, who built the railways, polarise opinion quite like Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Was he the work-driven genius who died at the pinnacle of his career, as depicted in L.T.C. Rolt’s biography? Or an arrogant, eccentric experimenter who compensated for his lack of physical stature by a cavalier disregard for spending other peoples’ money? Does the truth lie somewhere in between, perhaps? It usually does.
I’ll freely admit that I’m a fan. I’ve never worn a big top hat but I am much about the same stature. I’ll admit to being
