Jason Ford, news editor, The Engineer
A remarkable piece of writing, evoking the era and the struggle to get Hackworth's legacy acknowledged. Norman combines the skills of a virtuoso storyteller with an acute attention to historical detail. All railway enthusiasts should add it to their reading lists.
A remarkable piece of writing, evoking the era and the struggle to get Hackworth's legacy acknowledged. Norman combines the skills of a virtuoso storyteller with an acute attention to historical detail. All railway enthusiasts should add it to their reading lists.
Pete Waterman, OBE
There can be no argument as to Hackworth’s contribution to the story of railways. Happy with his place in the world, it would be for others to shout about his skills and this book does that.
There can be no argument as to Hackworth’s contribution to the story of railways. Happy with his place in the world, it would be for others to shout about his skills and this book does that.
Dave Reynolds, Director of Shildon Heritage Alliance
Mike Norman's revealing new book looks at the rise of steam locomotive power from a fresh perspective.
Could it be that we've accepted and perpetuated a misleading understanding of what really happened?
Mike Norman's revealing new book looks at the rise of steam locomotive power from a fresh perspective.
Could it be that we've accepted and perpetuated a misleading understanding of what really happened?
Anthony Coulls, Senior Curator of Rail Transport & Technology, National Railway Museum
The narrative style, augmented by new research from papers and documents that exist in the USA, creates a real feeling of a personal story, seeking to establish Timothy Hackworth’s contribution to the development of the steam locomotive in an accessible way for the 21st Century.
The narrative style, augmented by new research from papers and documents that exist in the USA, creates a real feeling of a personal story, seeking to establish Timothy Hackworth’s contribution to the development of the steam locomotive in an accessible way for the 21st Century.
Jane Hackworth-Young, great-great granddaughter of Timothy Hackworth
Using his own knowledge of working at the front-edge of technology, together with new papers that have been found, Mike Norman has compiled an intriguing story. It will appeal not only to the experienced engineer but also to anyone who enjoys a family quest for recognition and social justice.
Using his own knowledge of working at the front-edge of technology, together with new papers that have been found, Mike Norman has compiled an intriguing story. It will appeal not only to the experienced engineer but also to anyone who enjoys a family quest for recognition and social justice.
Reviewer
Superb adventure into the history of steam locomotive pioneers, filled with details history sought to leave unmentioned and unanswered. You step right back to that time with ease, it grabs your interest and doesn't let go.
Superb adventure into the history of steam locomotive pioneers, filled with details history sought to leave unmentioned and unanswered. You step right back to that time with ease, it grabs your interest and doesn't let go.
Gary Dawson, Chairman, A V Dawson, Middlesbrough Docks
..not only informative, but an intriguing and immersive story.
..not only informative, but an intriguing and immersive story.
Reviewer
Meticulously researched and engagingly written, it reads like a thinking man's thriller.
Meticulously researched and engagingly written, it reads like a thinking man's thriller.
Editor
This book provides some real insights into the themes playing out today in many industries - competition, inventiveness and timing are all as important in the world of Amazon, Apple and Google as they were in the past.
This book provides some real insights into the themes playing out today in many industries - competition, inventiveness and timing are all as important in the world of Amazon, Apple and Google as they were in the past.
Pete Thomas, Director, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
Locomotives, inventions, defeats and triumphs - all along with a cast of real characters including George Stephenson and Timothy Hackworth - are all part of this intriguing, informative and impeccably researched historical narrative.
Locomotives, inventions, defeats and triumphs - all along with a cast of real characters including George Stephenson and Timothy Hackworth - are all part of this intriguing, informative and impeccably researched historical narrative.
Gripping from the start to the end, it is impossible not to come away with some real insights into the industrial revolution that brought railways to the world and how it was driven by two English engineers and businessmen.
Largely - and unjustly - sidelined by history, Timothy Hackworth was arguably the most important of the soot-soiled early railway pioneers who eventually set the whole world in motion. Mike Norman eloquently puts the case for the humble and hard-working Darlington Methodist who was effectively cheated of his legacy by the Machiavellian showmanship of entrepreneur George Stephenson.
Very enjoyable, informative book. Even without the locomotives it is a fascinating human story.