Lining up liner histories
Tales From Great Passenger Ships, by Paul Curtis, and Serving on the Big Ships, by William H. Miller
Two recent releases from The History Press and Fonthill offer captivating insights into the world of passenger liners from different yet complementary perspectives.
Tales From Great Passenger Ships: A Jaunt Through Time is a journey through the histories of 36 iconic passenger ships. Author Paul Curtis brings these ships to life in chronological order, personifying them as entities with lifespans that begin with their 'births' and end with their 'deaths'. Each ship is presented with a fact file, including specifications such as length, number of crew and passengers, and speed – which adds a layer of depth to the stories. This journey through time sends readers right back into history, providing a fascinating glimpse into the maritime past.
In contrast, William H Miller's Serving on the Big Ships: Life on the Liners focuses on the human element aboard these grand vessels. Through a series of short stories and personal anecdotes from crew members, Miller sheds light on the lives of those who work behind the scenes to keep the ships running smoothly, addressing the often-overlooked experiences of the crew. The book is lavishly illustrated with vibrant images that bring the stories to life. Miller's book spans from the early days of ocean liners to the present, including the impact of Covid-19 on cruising staff, providing a comprehensive look at the evolution of life at sea.
Both books excel in their ability to transport readers back in time and immerse them in the world of passenger ships. Curtis offers a macro view, focusing on the ships themselves and their historical context, while Miller provides a micro view, focusing on the people who lived and worked aboard these vessels. Together, they offer a well-rounded and richly detailed panorama of maritime history. Whether you are fascinated by the grandeur of the ships or the stories of the people behind them, both books are sure to captivate and educate, making them valuable additions to any maritime history collection.
- Find out more here about one of the most famous liners of all time
Tales From Great Passenger Ships: A Jaunt Through Time
By Paul Curtis
History Press, £18.99
ISBN: 978 18039 92112
Serving on the Big Ships: Life on the Liners
By William H. Miller
Fonthill, £35
ISBN: 978 17815 58973
Buy this book in the Nautilus Bookshop
While you're there, why not browse the rest of the titles in our unique maritime bookshop, which sells all the books reviewed on these pages.
Buy nowMore Books
Titanic connections: the other ships on the scene
The Titanic Fleet: the ships involved in the Titanic disaster By Richard M. JonesRichard Jones has explored another aspect of the sinking – the stories of 30 other vessels that were connected in some way to the famous liner.
A different perspective on Titanic's sinking
Titanic’s Lifeboats: Disaster and Survival During the Liner’s Sinking By James W. BancroftFor the true collector, Titanic’s Lifeboats presents the harrowing stories of each of the lifeboats launched on that fateful evening, drawn from the testimonies of the survivors.
Female MN war veterans brought to the fore
Supposed Killed or Drowned by Enemy Action at Sea, by Nina BakerThe people whose lives Baker explores in Supposed Killed or Drowned by Enemy Action at Sea are not relatives of hers, but they are part of the Merchant Navy family. They are the Scottish women who served and died in the crews of MN vessels in the First and Second World Wars.
How to 'make it' in the superyacht industry
Superyacht Success, by Brendan O'ShannassyBack in 2022, we reviewed Brendan O'Shannassy's memoir Superyacht Captain. Now Capt O'Shannassy has returned with a new book that focuses on how crew can navigate their careers.