Landscape with Canals: The Second Part of his Autobiography

Volume Two of L.T.C. Rolt’s classic autobiography ‘Landscape with Machines’ ended with Rolt fulfilling his dream to convert the narrowboat Cressy into a floating home in which he could travel the then almost unknown 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 the beginnings of Rolt’s writing career with the publication of his first book, Narrow Boat. This sequel explores the same conflicts as in Volume 1, the disparity between Rolt’s simultaneous love for the landscape and machines, but here it is at least partly resolved as we see a man trying out his gift for imparting to others his knowledge and love of life. AUTHOR: L.T.C. Rolt trained as an engineer, but his fame rests on his classic biographies of Brunel, Telford, Trevithick and the Stephensons, and his superb volumes of autobiography, and transport history. He founded the Inland Waterways Association and was instrumental in encouraging interest in Britain’s industrial heritage at Tal-y-llyn and elsewhere. He died in 1975. His son Timothy Rolt continues to promote his work SELLING POINTS: . A new edition of this classic work . Volume Two explores Rolt’s life on canals, when he succeeded in moving onto the water and beginning his writing career . With a new foreword by Harry Arnold, journalist, author, photographer, and IWA national vice- president . With photos from the family archive showing this period of Rolt’s life 26 b/w illustrations