Review by Choice Review
Why another biography of James Watt? There are dozens, ranging from concise panegyrics to Richard Hills's comprehensive three-volume study (2002--06). Miller, a two-decade Watt scholar (emer., Univ. of New South Wales) takes a course between these extremes with a very large, single-volume biography that differs in several respects from previous texts. For one, he replaces the usual chronological narrative with a well-crafted compromise between chronological and topical approaches. Moreover, Miller focuses on themes often underdeveloped in prior works. He devotes considerable attention to "Team Watt": the family (especially James Watt, Jr.), friends, and collaborators who contributed to Watt's success but have received little attention. Miller emphasizes Watt's abiding interest in monetary gain, estimating how much money Watt actually made. He analyzes the role of natural philosophy in Watt's work, especially his "chemistry of heat," and his skills as a businessman. He includes a long chapter detailing the posthumous legends that arose from Watt's life, and how these were exploited. Miller's coverage of these and other previously underdeveloped topics, his insights into Watt's personality, his solid scholarship, and his excellent prose fully justify this biography. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers. --Terry S. Reynolds, emeritus, Michigan Technological University
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
