Product Description

Prepare to take a journey back in time. step aboard the decks of one of the world's largest, fastest, and most beloved ocean liners, and experience the LUSITANIA in all her splendor.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #501474 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 316 pages

Customer Reviews

Lusitania: Ship of Splendour - Absolutely Superb
Numerous accounts of RMS Lusitania have focused exclusively on her premature demise. Her tragic sinking on 7 May 1915 was indeed the 9/11 of the First World War and will be remembered that way. However, in J. Kent Layton's account, he not only discusses this chapter in history, but has compiled the most phenomenal, detailed account of her stellar career in a riveting, compelling and easy-to-read book that makes you crave more with each page. When she sailed on her maiden voyage in 1907, she was the largest moving object ever built by man, had completely innovative means of propulsion and possessed an interior harking back to the days of Edwardian splendour. She was the preferred vessel between she and her eventually faster sister, Mauretania, for her more light and airy interiors. Whether you marvel at the gorgeous Edwardian decor of the ship's lavish accommodations or her state-of-the-art engineering and architecture, you will simply relish Layton's book. I cannot highlight how thoroughly researched and well thought out this publication is. I'm very much enjoying the signed copy of this book in my possession and most definitely recommend it to everyone, from the layman in maritime history to the avid enthusiast of this wonderful and marvelous vessel. I look forward to more books from this author.

Lusitania - Indeed, a ship of splendour
Having known the author for some time and of his previous works, I was delighted to hear of his latest book detailing the history of this beautiful vessel which was once the flagship of the Cunard Line at the turn of the 20th century. J.K. Layton's attention to detail not only in words but 100s of superb images, many of which are seen here for the first time is truly remarkable. Like any other 'Lusitania' book before it, we do get the insight into the tragic sinking of the liner on May 7th 1912. But the author goes one better in the form of eyewitness accounts of the sinking. But what makes this book shine from all the other books in print about the history of the R.M.S. Lusitania is the (at times) breathtaking insights into how this ship was built, from the keel upwards. The main bulk of the book concentrates on the ship itself. Deck by deck, stateroom by stateroom, with the author not leaving many stones unturned in his quest to bring this ship to the reader. The book starts from the liners conception, through her buidling, sea trials, early years at sea, right up to the time she was sunk by a German U-boat.

If there in 'one' Lusitania book you MUST have sitting on your bookshelf, then this has to be it. This book is indeed a book of splendour about the ship of splendour - R.M.S. Lusitania

Fascinating and marvellous.
I bought this to find out more about a ship associated with my family (on the last voyage) and wanted to learn more. What an eye opener!

Now I can understand why the Lusitania was in the public eye at the time, a spectacular and technical innovation of her day and at the very top end of trans-Atlantic technology and comfort. This book opens up the full detail in the construction and operation of the world's fastest ship and, althought the Mauretania may have overtaken shortly afterwards, this pair of ships operated for many years at the very front of top-line service. More than anything else, this book shows what the Lusitania delivered in routine day to day service for Cunard and why it was the envy of the world at the time, crossing the Atlantic ocean year-in year-out.

The disaster ending the Lusitania is described as it happened, we can only wonder if and how the Lusitania might have fared if she'd survived like the Mauretania into oil propulsion in place of coal. Both ships used coal originally, and the Lusitania was renowned for its airy and original fittings compared with the dark wood of the latter.

If anyone wants an insight into how great service was provided to cross to and from America before plane travel, this is it. A definitive book which I will keep for reference for many years. Very good indeed.

Anyone interested in the great liners (the Titanic came and went while the Lusitania sailed) will find this book totally enlightening.