Includes bibliographical references and index

One of the great minds of the 19th century, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was responsible for some of the most impressive engineering feats of his day. By the age of 26, he had been appointed chief engineer of the Great Western Railway, linking Bristol to London. His love of steamships led him to build a series of revolutionary vessels, including the Great Britain--the first steamship to cross the Atlantic. Illustrated with a wealth of blueprints, drawings, and rare photographs, celebrated British television personality Jeremy Clarkson's new biography tracks the life and achievements of this Victorian-era genius. A fascinating portrait of ambition and innovation, Clarkson's book provides ample evidence to support the claim that Brunel was indeed "the man who built the world."