"[...] there is currently no similar book on biographies in water engineering; the book therefore fills a gap that is very useful to all those who search for biographical information on hydraulicians [...] The author has again demonstrated his sound overview on the history of hydraulics and the key persons involved, as well as his investigative skills to find relevant biographical information, even including portraits, on persons having lived up to two centuries ago."

Prof. Dr. Robert Boes, Director of the Laboratory of Hydraulics, Hydrology and Glaciology, Zurich, Switzerland

"In a tremendous research work Willi H. Hager collected very rich bibliographic information on 992 hydrauliancs [...] It is fascinating to read what these masters in the field have done during their lives. When one starts reading a biography in this book, the risk is to become so captivated that it leads you from one personality to the other."

Prof. Dr. Anton J. Schleiss, Director at EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland

"This massive third book by Hager follows on his two-volume biographical dictionary (2003) covering the field in Europe over the same time span. It includes almost 1,000 notable scientists and engineers, primarily civil or mechanical, as well as some inventors who died during the period. Each one-page entry notes the individual's education and career, describing the major accomplishments, professional memberships, details of birth and death and, occasionally, personal life, with portraits when available. (...) Because it draws on many historic sources to portray the key contributors to an important field, the book is useful for all libraries maintaining civil engineering collections."

J. J. Meier, Pennsylvania State University, in 'Choice' April 2016 issue.