Stephen Biesty studied illustration, specializing in historical and architectural cutaway drawings. Since becoming a full-time illustrator in 1985, he has worked on a variety of information books for both adults and children. His first book for Dorling Kindersley, the best-selling Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections, was published in 1992. That volume was the inspiration for a new range of cross-section books, of which Man-of-War, published in 1993, was the first, followed by Castle, published in 1994. Stephen followed these with the spectacular Incredible Explosions, published in 1996 and Incredible Everything, published in 1997. The Author Richard Platt began Iris career as an engineer. He then completed a degree in graphic design and worked in a London design studio for many years. In 1980 he began a new career as a freelance writer, creating books on many diverse subjects including photography, ornithology, and smuggling. Richard then worked with Stephen Biesty on the best-selling Incredible Cross-Sections, Cross-Section Man-of-War, Incredible Explosions, Incredible Everything, and with Brian Delf on In the Beginning and History, the really Interesting Bits. Richard lives in Kent with his wife and various animals.