Passenger Ships: Books - History and Shipping Lines (1/3)

Ocean Liners : An Illustrated History

The growth of the ocean liner was driven not only by political and social changes, and developments in marine technology and design but also by increased competition as new companies were established to meet the demands of travellers.
The story starts in the ninetheenth century with the greatest migration ever seen.
Communications around the world were also rapidly improving with the introduction of railways, the opening of the Suez Canal, a universal postal system and, most importantly, the laying of undersea telegraph cables.

Tourism as we know it took off in the 1870s and 1880s. This was also a time of colonial expansion which would see Britain and other countries establishing empires around the world.
To meet the demand, passenger ships became increasingly important with great advances being made not only in ship design but also marine engineering. These technological innovations soon included the introduction not only of the turbine but also diesel engines.
Ocean liners also became statements of national pride and artistic achievements.

The story concludes in the 1960s when, despite increasing numbers of travellers choosing to fly rather than travel by sea, a final flurry of liners were built, many of which had shorter lives than planned. The unique text is supported by over 250 carefully chosen photographs, many of which have never been seen before.
A truly unique and evocative book for merchant ship enthusiasts and historians.

Information

Author:	Peter Newall
Details:	192 pages, 27 x 25 x 2.3 cm / 10.6 x 9.8 x 0.91 in, hardback
Illustrations:	259 b&w photos
Publisher:	Seaforth Publishing (GB, 2018)
ISBN:	9781526723161

The Liner - Retrospective and Renaissance

The iconic ocean liner, with its towering dark hull and brilliant white superstructure, remains a powerful symbol of human endeavor. This unique two-hundred-year retrospective takes us from the liner's origins in mail services to its role as nineteenth-century mass transportation, in wartime and in immigration to the New World, and finally to its modern renaissance in the Queen Mary 2, the first liner to be built in thirty years. With cruising now a major tourist industry, this new liner has emerged with a clear stylistic lineage from some of the most illustrious vessels of the past.

Along with the design and construction of established favorites and lesser-known ships, The Liner explores the human story of the engineers, builders, crew, and passengers. Illustrated throughout with photographs, artworks, and plans, some specially commissioned, this is an essential work for all liner enthusiasts, maritime historians, and anyone who has sailed aboard these fine vessels.

Information

Author:	P. Dawson
Details:	256 pages, 28 x 23.5 x 2.4 cm / 11 x 9.25 x 0.94 in, hardback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	WW Norton & Co (USA, 2007)
ISBN:	9780393061666

Floating Palaces - The Great Atlantic Liners

From the mid-1890s a race was on between the merchant navies of the recently unified Germany, Britain and France. That race was to make the most luxurious and fastest ocean liners and it started with the Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, the first of fourteen four-stackers built between 1897 and 1921. The large vessels that followed each tried to outdo the previous one in terms of size and interior design.

Using many of the most famous of interior designers, every part of the new ships was 'designed', from the cutlery to the china, from the furniture to the paneling, and from the bedrooms to the boat decks. Through Kronprinzessin Cecilie, Mauretania, Aquitania, Olympic, Titanic, Imperator, Vaterland, Ile de France, and Paris, the development and design of the ships grew grander and more luxurious.

The process continued into the 1930s, with the Empress of Britain and the fabulously Art Deco Normandie, the finest and most expensive liner ever built, and designed to be a showcase for all that was France, as well as with the Queen Mary, a rather more traditional vessel, but one, nonetheless, which pushed the boundaries of design away from the traditional country house look of the Edwardian era. Each new vessel brought with it the finest of interiors, from the plush and palatial to the modern look of the time.

Even today, the influence of these floating palaces can still be seen in vessels such as Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and the multitude of new cruise vessels, all vying for the public's interest and affection.
The large liners were truly floating palaces, and here, William H. Miller brings together a collection of fabulous images of the finest ships ever built, showcasing the style and elegance of a time when 'getting there was half the fun'.

Information

Author:	William H. Miller
Details:	128 pages, 17 x 24.5 x 1.4 cm / 6.7 x 9.7 x 0.55 in, paperback
Illustrations:	220 photos
Publisher:	Amberley Publishing (GB, 2015)
ISBN:	9781445650470

Die berühmtesten Schiffe des 20. Jahrhunderts

Who doesn't think of freedom and adventure, Moby Dick and Treasure Island, Titanic and Pirates of the Caribbean when they think of ships?
Ships have always been important means of transport. They enabled the discovery of foreign continents and the transfer of culture and goods between peoples. This close relationship between man and ship led to impressive achievements in shipbuilding.

This volume by Hans Karr brings together the most famous ships of the 20th century and describes their technical features. Anecdotes from the often "spectacular" histories of the ships round off the portraits in an entertaining way.

Information

Author:	Hans Karr
Details:	192 pages, 24 x 30.5 cm / 9 x 12 in, hardback
Illustrations:	130 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Pietsch Verlag (D, 2018)
ISBN:	9783613508712

Nordatlantikrenner - Legendäre Schnelldampfer im Wettlauf ums Blaue Band

The Blue Riband was a symbolic trophy for the fastest North Atlantic crossing by a passenger ship. Ever faster, larger and more luxurious passenger ships sailed from continent to continent with a wealthy public. Some of the fast steamers and luxury ships that took part achieved legendary fame.

This book deals with them: It brings together the most famous fast steamers from 1888-1951. Each ship is portrayed in an entertaining way based on its special features and anecdotes from its "history" as well as numerous illustrations and the most important technical innovations.

Information

Author:	Hans Karr
Details:	224 pages, 24 x 30.5 cm / 9 x 12 in, hardback
Illustrations:	300 b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Pietsch Verlag (D, 2020)
ISBN:	9783613509115