SS Normandie (Classic Liners)

This book surprised me, and I almost didn't get it. However, I only bought it to round out the collection in the series, and I was pleasantly surprised. Along with the usual stock photos of Normandie from my other big volume books, there are some very nice unseen, by me, photos in colour of the raising of Normandie at pier 88, and some lovely photos of the collection of Mario Pulice from the exhibition at the South Street Seaport Museum that I unfortunately missed in 2010. I'm glad I got this one, and its not to be missed by the SS Normandie enthusiast.

Another in the potted history of great Atlantic Liners, Bill's specialty.For liner enthusiasts it's a bit more of the same. A4 Paperback at 95 pages limits the author to relating the story familiar to many enthusiast but a good read to the novice or Art Deco fan.Lots of photos that puts 'Normandie" into perspective with her contemporaries. Especially when lined up along side her rival, 'Queen Mary'. The Normandie was design streets ahead of the old dowager! Sadly, 'Normandie's' career was short lived, burnt out at her New York Pier in 1942. A part of her history that may have been expanded on.Good coverage of the 'French Line' history but more interesting is Miller's volume on the 'Ile de France' and Liberte' in the same series. That book covers the histories of two ships normally out of the limelight and is something refreshing to the usual.

Bill Miller has been pumping books out about ocean liners for a number of years now - which is a good thing! Lots of great photos and a concise history of the ship and/or ships in his numerous books. He's now taken on doing a book on the beautiful French liner "Normandie" - probably the most noted and collected liner except for the "Titanic". Unfortunately the "Normandie" had a short career too. Well worth the price for the great selection of photos alone. Mr. Miller keep up the good work.

The Normandie was truly one of the most beautiful ships ever built. A great beauty that ended tragically. So this book was a must have. Anyone who loves ships will love this book. From the laying of the keel to completion this book is a gem. The Normandie was a beauty queen by anyone's measure.

Item arrived timely and as advertised.

This book is a highly abbreviated history of the SS NORMANDIE and consists of limited text and many photographs with brief captions. Virtually all of the photographs of the ship itself are in black and white, are generally small, and are of fair quality. Almost all of the color illustrations are of travel posters and of selected memorabilia from a South Street Seaport exhibition; although, there are a few color photographs of the ship itself that are interesting.My primary problem with this book is that the ship itself is poorly described. A coherent presentation of her principal characteristics cannot be found nor can much information regarding her design and systems. There is no inboard profile showing the general internal arrangements beyond an almost illegible page from a brochure. An argument could be made that much of this can be found in other books; however, this is also true of the basic content of this book. A significant portion of the book (13 out of 95 pages) is devoted to the aforementioned travel posters, which while visually interesting, tell little about the ship.It appears as if the book was assembled from the author's large collection of passenger liner photographs and memorabilia. It conveys the impression of an assemblage of odds and ends for the sole purpose of pulling together yet another book on passenger liners. The contents are poorly integrated and do not really add anything to the body of knowledge associated with the SS NORMANDIE. It is too superficial for the knowledgeable enthusiast and is not sufficiently complete or well organized for a neophyte wanting to learn about the ship.

A nice, concise overview of the short and tragic career of this illustrious ship, the most beautiful and luxurious liner of all time.The cover art was worth the price of the book alone - really captured the spirit of this grand vessel.

well illustrated for its size, though photo coverage of the ship's interior is not extensive, there are color photos of furnishings from museum exhibits which is a +.

Excellent

This book is in the usual Bill Miller format - lots of photos - he has definitely heard the phrase "A picture is worth a thousand words" ! Mr. Miller turns his attention to the beautiful "Normandie' - which many people think was the most beautiful liner ever built - the text is short but concise - and the photos are well chosen - the only shame is that she lived so short of life. I'd recommend it to any ocean liner collector or to just an interest in ship - plus the fact that the "Normandie" was Art Deco afloat.

Having obtained framed illustrations of S S Normandie from period magazines I was interested in the art deco interiors. This was an excellent overview and outline of the history of a remarkable ship.

Another great book by w Miller. Well laid out, good pictures and as expected well researched.A worth while addition to the list of books on great liners

A lovely book very well illustrated full of period nostalgia taking one from her birth to a very sad end.