SS: Red, White, and Blue Riband, Forever

I was really looking forward to receiving this book in time for my brother's birthday. He is obsessed with the SS United States. The book arrived very quickly which I appreciated and was packaged nicely.

How much outside guidance and help were furnished by whom? The real reason for the extra help.

I disagree with the prior reviewers of this book. If I had been able to do a pre-purchase review, I would not have purchased it. I have been enthralled by ships since I first set foot on the Queen Mary in 1951 at age 4 during a family bon voyage party. I have studied the history extensively... and my library on ships contains well over 400 titles. The Amazon promo paragraph about Mr. Maxtone-Graham and his book uses the word "Arguably" with following superlatives; further, the excellent print on the dust jacket emphasizes potential for quality to come when the cover was opened. I was sincerely disappointed.First, the promo, concerning the book's, content, places the "color illustrations" in the over 200 range. After scanning the book several times I could not reach that total. Further, I found no color exterior "photographs" taken during the ship's active period (the 1950s thru the 1960s). During that period, admittedly, the world of photography was in transition from predominantly black and white to color (best in seen in Kodachrome). Why is this important ? I saw the ship several times close up during that period -- at the pier and in the harbor. The most lasting memories during that period were the vivid colors, the massive red, white, and blue funnels, and the consistent pristine condition of the ship. Black and white does not do justice to the ship. A new book (using color words in its title) listed at a $75 price should have had a wealth of color pictures in order to support that (and future historical ) value in my opinion. In total I found only a few interior shots and promo material from that period in color. So, you say, the color exterior photos probably don't exist. In response, I direct your attention to author Andrew Britton's 2012 book on the SS United States with a wealth of exterior color photos. His chronological ordering needs some help --- but is forgiven due the number of great excellent photos presented. I just ordered a second copy of his book.The word "articulate" would also seem to cover the accuracy of the labeling of picture content. In my opinion, there are a number of picture labeling flaws. One example I believe appears on pages 140 and 141 (labeled on page 139) . While there is in existence a picture of the USS Enterprise and the SS United States side by side in the Norfolk docks, this is not the one. And, yes, the Enterprise did go in for refueling in October 1964. However, I am not certain about the date of this photo which appears to be of the USS America, still under construction. (Mr. Maxtone-Graham --- please observe the name banner on the stern of the carrier) Regardless, the picture is not as represented --- there are others; too many of them in my opinion for an author of Mr. Maxtone-Graham's purported reputation. Another item -- noted in the author's book "Normandie" - appears on page 53. In my opinion, this is not a picture of "T6" as represented --- rather it is the "France" (circa 1960s) while it was under construction; prelaunch. Look at the hull (welded vs predominantly riveted on the Normandie) and the anchor pocket configuration.There are a number of other books on the SS United States written by knowledgeable authors -- Frank O. Braynard, William H. Miller, and others; and now Andrew Britton.My thought .... if you are writing an expensive book for a knowledgeable audience, and it is designed to compete with prior writings, it must have something new to emphasize.This was a big disappointment to me. In my opinion, one of the best points was the dust jacket, but unfortunately, mine was damaged when the book arrived.

It was in the boys clothing department sittimg up high. four feet long ?? or more. The big U LIGHT ON THE INSIDE. I bought my FIFTH version of : ''The Only Way to Cross". As I ordered SS Unites States, I also needed to order my fifth copy of "The Only way to Cross"". Lucky me, it was a special version signed by the author.I carried my first edition around with me for some years, until it was borrowed and returned by a replacement, that wasn't what the original was. Settling in Miami Florida some big ships turned up from time to time. I sailed three times on the "Norway". The first time an old first class staterrom from the ''France era''. Gigantic bath tub. There was a tape of the history of ships, near to the ''Only way to Cross''. Boy I wish I knew where to get another.John is a Treasure. To say I have read all of his books..no, not really, But I have read most of them. I wish I could write the way he does; I wish I could speak the way he does.USS United States was designed to look Gigantic. Sorry. The word has a bad luck expression, forgive me for saying what everyone knows.Be careful as you first hold the book. This marvelous painting of the ship flying off the book...... yes,, direct to your face. I was never so mesmerized by an image painted. I am an artist. Grahams words and the artists portrait of the ship, United States, by God we are flying OVER THE SEA. Quite a story. I pray we meet, dressed in our best to share dinner. Keep writing. May our path cross some day. Blessings to you. M.The story is told as if someone was speaking to you. Some have suggested that his English is too hoity-toity. Sometimes the author uses a word that is a pose point, one does, and immediately wants to know what happened ,,,, the diary kind of letter from husband to wife to Vita Sackville-West before I knew anything of Ms West, their marriage, her garden etc. Their boys etc. Forty plus years to learn how to be quiet with a good book. And father and son are still trying to conquer the the dreadful Atlantic on ,,,,,, damn it, Normandie.The author is a national treasure. M.

First, I have to say that of Maxtone Graham's three "coffee table" size ocean liner books ( previous: Normandie and France/Norway) I liked this one the best, mostly because his prose style is much more down to earth. The cover picture is stunning and the fold out deck plan is a big plus. A big negative is that you have to read about 1/3 of the book before you hear about the ss United States and some of the photos a repetitive. Any ocean liner buff will pick up a few errors. But overall the Big U gets the treatment it deserves in a big well illustrated volume.

If you have an ocean liner buff in your life, they'll love to get this book.

I've been a big fan of the United States since I was a child, and even have driven from Texas to see her in Philadelphia.This book is almost a total waste of money. Most of the photographs I've seen elsewhere, and again- like several other books by this author- there is virtually nothing about her propulsion plant- and that, folks, is what made her special. How can you write an entire book about the ultimate blue riband holder and not show one picture of her engine room or even a diagram?Another thing that bothers me about this book. It says "United States" on the cover- not "Leviathan" or "America" but the book spends about a third of it's pages talking about them- plus even earlier ships.I should have known better when I bought this author's book on Normandie- where he did the same thing- wrote about the accommodations and not the whole ship.

A very good book with first - class illustrations on an iconic liner.

Much saught after book for my partner. Good rare pictures inside, and a reasonable price.

Great summary of the life and times of the 'United States', with some superb photography and illustrations.

Maxtone-Graham puts in another solid single ship study. I do not think it achieves the same level of detail as his work in Normandie, but excellent nonetheless. As is typical the vocabulary is colourful and varied. They went with large foldout leafs for the deck plants for this book which is a huge relief compared to previous books in this genre. This book should probably be a part of any ocean liner enthusiast.

What a coffee table book - so perfect that I am scared to turn the pages for fear of creasing / staining them.