Engineering In Perspective: Lessons For A Successful Career

Engineering in Perspective provides a unique look into the career of one of Britain's most widely experienced engineers, Professor Tony Ridley. Ridley analyses key moments from his career to identify the real-world skills required for success. Through this, he examines how important it is that a successful engineer has not only traditional engineering skills but also good interpersonal skills coupled with a deep understanding of social, economic and political factors.

Ridley's career case-studies include his time as first Director General of the Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive and working on the creation of the Metro; first Managing Director of the Hong Kong Mass Transit Railway; Chairman and Managing Director of London Underground; the development of the Docklands Light Railway; and working through the trauma of the Kings Cross fire. As Professor of Transport Engineering at Imperial College London, Ridley was involved in national and international engineering bodies, including President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The book contains papers from this time that develop the concept of the 'breadth of engineering'.

Highly relevant for engineering students, newly qualified engineers, educators and employers, this book allows examination of successes and failures of important engineering projects from the 20th century, with lessons and insights for the 21st century engineer.

Readership: Engineering students, newly qualified engineers, educators and employers.

"It provides sound advice to professional engineers and their educators and employers, there is no doubt. The approach recommended will likely stand the test of time and provide inspiration and satisfaction for those who follow." -- Roger J Allport, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, Imperial College

"This book by Prof Tony Ridley is ostensibly an autobiography of his high-profile career; he is undoubtedly one of the giants of the metro schemes of the second half of the 20th century. Overall this book is an interesting history of some major projects, but the real delight lies in the gems contained within the narrative, and Ridley s own belief in the future of civil engineering." -- J K Banyard, Chair Advisory Board at WISE CDT

"Tony Ridley is one of our most experienced and distinguished civil engineers. His book is an intriguing hybrid between an autobiography and a text on lessons to be learned if large projects are to be delivered successfully. His extraordinarily broad career makes him well-placed to offer these lessons: each drawn from personal experience of the events he recounts. The book has an Epilogue summarising Tony Ridley's message on the role of engineers. Educators, employers and aspiring civil engineers should read this book, and take notice." -- Stephen Glaister, Professor Emeritus of Transport and Infrastructure, Imperial College, London