During the late nineteenth century, the Atlantic liners underwent a tremendous transformation. Previously only an unpleasant, uncomfortable and slow means of crossing a frequently vicious ocean, they suddenly became symbols of luxury, power, and strength. Each one, in turn, became legend. Some attained this mythic status for their distinct record of service during both peace and war; others are remembered for their catastrophic and ignominious fates. Their stories – their histories – are insightful, fascinating, and inextricably intertwined with the history of the world throughout the first half of the twentieth century.
The wait is over...
Atlantic Liners: A Trio of Trios
New version release
Hardcover 2009 Version of this volume is now in stock and ready to ship through orders placed through our virtual partner, TMB Studios. (All orders 100% secure.)
Atlantic Liners: A Trio of Trios has been released in an all-new version, distinct from the original format publication printed in 2005 and 2006. The hardcover version (which does not have an ISBN number, and is available only through the publisher's site, at Amazon Marketplace, and through the author) is now available. The hardcover version is now available on Amazon.(Plans to release a softcover version have been postponed indefinitely.) The new publication is 8.5" x 11", 434 pages in length (including front and end matter), has over 730 photographs (many never previously published), and 11 general arrangement plans. Click here for further details.
This book commemorates the histories of these great ships, and to study how their careers were so inextricably intertwined. The book specifically focuses on the history of nine ships: The Cunard Line’s Lusitania, Mauretania and Aquitania; White Star’s Olympic, Titanic and Britannic; and Hamburg-Amerika’s Imperator, Vaterland and Bismarck, ships that served after the war as the Berengaria, Leviathan and Majestic, respectively. It is packed with details about the liners, their careers, and their specifications. It also contains many rare and previously unpublished photographs and illustrations of them, including their full general arrangement plans.
Even though the first version was a print-on-demand publication that was not available in bookstores, its sales have also been enthusiastic, and response to the information contained in its pages has also been impressive. The new version is completely revised and updated, expanded (in both text and photographs), and will be a unique volume which stands apart from all others on the great liners of old. Now available!
The Site
This site, newly updated to commemorate the launch of the new volume, is meant to accompany the book and further the ever-expanding realm of online research into the Atlantic liners; it is the “home port” for the beginning of your journey into some of the most memorable ships in history. Here you can find all of the latest updates and research on the vessels, as well as technical specifications and additional information. There are also many photographs and digital illustrations of the liners that could not be included in the finished volume. On the Links page there are many other web pages and sites listed that can help you to continue your journey of research and discovery. In the Books page, you will find a comprehensive listing of some of the best publications available on the Atlantic liners, which have been given the "Blue Riband Book Award."
Five Years and Getting Stronger...
On March 28, 2009, the Atlantic Liners web site will celebrate its fifth anniversary. At this time, there have been some 887,000 individual page loads by approximately a quarter of a million unique visitors, and traffic to this site continues to increase. On any given day there are between 800 and 1,500 page loads by an average of approximately 200-300 "passengers."
Contributing / Materials Use
Since this site was first launched, many have contributed material - either information or photographic and illustrative - to its pages, and to the pages of both Atlantic Liners and Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography. To these contributors go my sincere thanks. If you have material on these liners that you would like to share – either information or in the way of photographs and illustrations, then please feel free to contact Mr. Layton. All photographic and illustrative material supplied by contributors is credited to their collections unless otherwise specified.
On the other hand, if you are interested in aquiring material in Mr. Layton's collection to use in your own project, please feel free to contact the author directly on the matter, via the contact page links.
The author's previous book achievement was a unique look at the history of the Cunard liner Lusitania. Whereas most books featuring the Lusitania give very little attention to her 7 1/2-year career and focus on her sinking and the political aftermath of the disaster, this book does exactly the opposite. Lusitania: An Illustrated Biography focuses on the ship's technical features and on her truly remarkable career, featuring information that has not seen the light of day since the day of her loss, when the sinking overshadowed all of the good time that she had enjoyed as a popular ocean liner between September of 1907 and May of 1915. For those who are interested in details about the sinking, there is also a chapter which deals with the events of that tragic day, and the volume features new and previously unpublished accounts. Many long-held beliefs about the tragedy are quite literally turned on their ear by the revelation of cold hard facts. Mike Poirier and Jim Kalafus, the dynamic pair of Lusitania researchers who have published fantastic research articles on the Lusitania and her passengers, were kind enough to pen an Introduction for the volume. For further details on this book, please click here.
Recently, Kent put together a lengthy article on the possibility that the Titanic was going to be brought into New York Harbor on the night of Tuesday, April 16, 1912, rather than on Wednesday morning, as had originally been scheduled. This is a relatively controversial topic, and this article, entitled, "The Arrival That Never Took Place…" studies the evidence in a clear, objective manner. No article like this has, to this author’s knowledge, ever found its way to print before. The Titanic International Society recently picked the article up and published it in a fully illustrated edition, spanning two of their quarterly issues (Nos. 54 and 55). You can contact the TIS directly to request a copy of either or both of these issues.
Meanwhile, preliminary work is also proceeding to bring to this website the stories of a number of other ocean liners, including the Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Elizabeth 2, Queen Mary 2, Normandie and France/Norway. These pages will be slowly brought on line and expanded as research on them continues.
There are many good sites about the old Atlantic liners, but the information contained within the pages of this site is certainly unique. Make sure to stay tuned for further updates and news through the News Page. It is sincerely hoped that you will enjoy your time spent here, and that you will also be enriched in your knowledge of these great ships. Welcome aboard.
Or pay with your Amazon.com Account (U.S. Customers Only):
Standard Hardcover
($49.99 US + $6.80 s/h = $56.79)
Signed & Numbered Hardcover
($59.99 US + $6.80 s/h = $66.79)
Please note: The special-edition hardcover will also not be in stores. As it will have no ISBN number, it will be available only through this site (via TMB Studios) and directly from the publisher.
