
Landscape with Canals
The Second Part of his Autobiography
L. T. C. Rolt(Author)
The History Press Ltd
Published on 1. February 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
978-0-7509-7017-4 (ISBN)
Description
L.T.C. Rolt's fame was born from his unique ability to produce works of literature from subject matter seemingly ill suited to such treatment - engineering, canals, railways, steam engines, agricultural machinery, vintage cars - such as in his classic biographies of Brunel, Telford, Trevithick and the Stephensons, and in his superbly written volumes of autobiography. In Landscape with Machines Rolt told the story of his youth and his subsequent training as an engineer. That book ended with the fulfilment of his dream to convert the narrow boat Cressy into a floating home in which he could travel the then neglected waterways of England and, he hoped, earn his living as a writer. Landscape with Canals takes up the story at this point. It tells of voyages through the secret green water-lanes of England and Wales, and of the beginning of his writing career with the publication of his celebrated first book, Narrow Boat. The underlying theme of Landscape with Machines was the conflict between Rolt's love for the English landscape and his life-long fascination with machines. In this sequel the same conflict is apparent yet we see how it was at least partly resolved. This is the testament of a man who has given literary shape to the history of the Industrial Revolution and who had a unique gift for imparting to others his knowledge, his enthusiasm and his love of life.
Reviews / Votes
'A fine opportunity to make the acquaintance of a unique man.' * <i>Daily Telegraph</i> * 'Compulsory reading ... enjoyable, readable and thought-provoking.' * <i>Waterways World</i> *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Illustrations
30 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 158 mm
Width: 235 mm
Thickness: 23 mm
Weight
340 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7509-7017-4 (9780750970174)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
L T C ROLT was born in Chester on 9 February 1910 and died in 1974. He was an engineer and craftsman, whose passion for Britain's industrial heritage led him to become one of the foremost historians of the 20th century. He was joint founder of the Inland Waterways Association. He also wrote Narrow Boat, Red for Danger and the famous Landscape Trilogy.