The Great Ships [Paperback]

Patrick O'Brien (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

Here is a collective "biography" of the greatest ships the world has ever known. Since the time people first ventured into the oceans in their primitive boats and rafts, the sea has been a source of adventure, travel, exploration, and glory. Countless vessels have traveled the seas-ships of all shapes and sizes-carrying hopes and dreams, conquerors and pilgrims, traders and explorers. Their names and their stories, carried down through history, remain as vibrant and alive as the people who sailed them. Patrick O'Brien profiles twenty of the world's greatest ships, including the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria; the Mayflower; Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge; the Bounty; "Old Ironsides"; the Amistad; the Monitor; the Titanic; and a fleet of others. These are ships that have made their mark through triumph, through tragedy, or sometimes simply by being in the right place at the right time. Patrick O'Brien's in-depth research and unparalleled skill with a paintbrush bring them to life on the page. Climb aboard and experience some of the magic and excitement that made these ships the greatest in maritime history.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 3-8-O'Brien tells the stories of 17 of the world's most illustrious vessels (or groups of vessels). Delivered in a more or less chronological order, the text offers brief information about each of the celebrated ships, describing the events or sea captains that made them famous. The author includes accounts of Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind, Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge, Columbus's trio of Spanish caravels, and the disaster-destined Titanic. A double-page spread is devoted to each story, with a dramatic watercolor-and-gouache illustration on the left and history on the right. Spot-art outline drawings and a painting or map also decorate each spread. While there is no table of contents or index, the last spread is devoted to a few lines about the fate of the individual ships. The endpapers are decorated with line drawings of all the ships, depicting their comparative size. O'Brien has combined his fascina-tion for the topic with his background in naval architecture to create a captivating and beautiful volume for any collection.

Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3-6. O'Brien, whose previous books include Steam, Smoke, and Steel (2000), offers a handsome volume that focuses on individual ships of historical significance. Each spread introduces one vessel, from the Viking Gokstad ship, uncovered in 1880 after lying buried for a thousand years, to the Enterprise, an aircraft carrier launched in 1960 and still part of the U.S. Navy. Most of the 17 entries feature British and American ships, with the age of sail well represented. More unusual subjects include a fifteenth-century Chinese junk, Cheng Ho's "treasure ship," and the Nautilus, the first nuclear-powered submarine. Each spread includes a few paragraphs of basic information, a full-page painting of the ship or ships, a small painting or map, and a delicate, sepia-ink drawing of the vessel. Richly colored, the paintings often feature dramatic effects of light on sea, sky, and sail. Useful for introductory information, this volume is also a visual feast for would-be seafarers to savor. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens (March 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802777163
• ISBN-13: 978-0802777164
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 11.1 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #922,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, very interesting, November 22, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Great Ships (Hardcover)

Our 8 year old son really enjoyed this book, reading about one ship a night until he completed it. He usually enjoys fiction, not technical information, but this book contained interesting history about the ships, people and events, and the beautiful layout and illustrations really captured his attention. Sparked by this book, he now draws ships all day long!