The Liner: Retrospective and Renaissance

by Philip Dawson

A spectacularly illustrated account of the ocean liner's place in transportation and social history. 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.

Foreword By Stephen Payne, OBE, Chief Naval Architect Of Queen Mary 2 .

Genres: Nonfiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2006

Reviews

[Jerry Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a sailor, cruiser and new travel advisor The Liner is an excellent historical perspective of the growth of the Liner (crossings) and Cruise (excursions) markets. As we prepare for our first Cunard Queen Mary 2 voyage this book whets my appetite. Disney has emulated some of the Cunard lines and theming with Disney flair.

[Mark Yoshida · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lost interest in this soon after I checked it out from the library. Was hoping to find a book about cruise ships -- how they're built, what the crew does when not working, what the engines look like, etc. This wasn't that book, so I just skimmed it. It seemed to cover the history of the industry in considerable not-very-exciting depth.

[Adam]

I have always enjoyed reading about ships. Liners are especially interesting as the forerunners of cruise ships. I want to book passage on a liner one day

[Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a perfect balance of well-written text and very well-chosen pictures. This is really an almost indispensable book for those interested in this area.