Key features of the book: Expectations are re-set to realistic goals; The formulation throughout highlights what the thermodynamic processes of different engines have in common rather than what distinguishes them; Design by scaling is extended, corroborated, reduced to the use of charts and fully illustrated; Results of extensive computer modelling are condensed down to high-resolution Nomograms; Worked examples feature throughout. Prime movers (and coolers) operating on the Stirling cycle are of increasing interest to industry, the military (stealth submarines) and space agencies. This book fills a gap in the technical literature and is a comprehensive manual for researchers and practitioners. In particular, it will support effort world-wide to exploit potential for such applications as small-scale CHP (combined heat and power), solar energy conversion and utilization of low-grade heat." -- Unedited summary from book.