This highly informative book started out as a new edition of “A History of Hot Air and Caloric Engines” published in 1987, but the re-write seems to have got out of control, as this is a bigger book in every way, and is only Vol. 1. What you have here is a very detail history of machine powered by hot air, mostly Stirling cycle, but including hot air balloons, and smoke jacks etc. Bob Sier is an expert on the subject, and if you are after a comprehensive technical history of hot air engines, this is the book you need. 331 very well illustrated pages. Hardbound. L.A. Mair