It is now just over a century since Lusitania made her maiden crossing of the North Atlantic. For seven and a half years, she crossed that rugged ocean with punctuality and dependability. She fast became a living legend, the ship of choice for many of the transatlantic travelers. Since her sinking on 7 May 1915, however, her wondrous career and technological marvels have largely been neglected. Instead, the focus has shifted to her political importance, and on numerous conspiracy theories about her last voyage and sinking. This illustrated biography of the Lusitania discusses her entire story, from her conception and birth on the Clyde to her career and, finally, to her tragic demise off the coast of Ireland; it reveals her as she has never been seen before. Prepare to take a journey back in time ... step aboard the decks of one of the world's largest, finest, fastest and most beloved ocean liners, and relive her history in all its splendor.
J. Kent Layton (1980-) was born in the Capital District of New York State, and moved to the Finger Lakes Region of Central New York in 1990. He has been fascinated with history and the great Atlantic liners - particularly the "Titanic" and "Lusitania" - since early childhood. A born writer, he channeled his personal obsession into writing engaging and informative books on ocean liners. At first, he self-published his works, but was later signed with Amberley Books and Shire Books.
His forthcoming titles include "Transatlantic Liners" (Shire), "On A Sea of Glass: The Life & Loss of the RMS Titanic" (Amberley), and "The Edwardian Superliners: A Trio of Trios" (Amberley). He divides his time between his writing and research and his work as a piano tuner.
