Liners to the Sun [Hardcover]

John Maxtone-Graham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 15, 2000

This book takes a candid and insightful look at the rich history, construction and crew of the great ships.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This author is best known for his classic on the transatlantic liners, The Only Way To Cross (1972). Here he has writ ten a thorough history of the cruise ship. Most works on liners lament the passing of the transatlantic fleet, but Maxtone-Graham argues that although that era is past, present-day cruise ships carry on the tradition and even surpass it in the luxury and relaxation they provide. Besides providing a fasci nating firsthand description of how large ships are designed and built, he delves into the social structure of the cruise ship, giving the viewpoints of both passengers and crew. Liner buffs should enjoy the chapter dealing with random shipboard emergencies and di sasters. Maxtone-Graham has a very personable writing style, and he inter weaves the facts and technical details into an enjoyable and informative sto ry. John Kenny, San Francisco P.L.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A witty, elegant and evocative exposition on the history, lore and mystique of ocean travel... -- Boston Herald

Indispensable reading...virtually encyclopedic in its approach. (Travel Weekly) The definitive book about cruise ships... -- Fresno Bee

John Maxtone-Graham has assembled a wealth of detail into an urbanely written volume...mandatory reading for all those who love ships, the sea and the ways of travelers...the cruise passenger who is serious about his fun will surely carry Liners to the Sun in his luggage... -- New York Times

John Maxtone-Graham is an irreplaceably charming companion whether aboard ship or, via this book, in my easy chair. The Only Way to Cross made me eager to read Liners to the Sun, now Liners to the Sun is sending me back to re-read the first volume again. -- Donald Westlake

Liners to the Sun is sheer magic. Bravo and thank you, Maxtone-Graham. -- Helen Hayes

The author, John Maxtone-Graham, is perhaps the best writer on the subject of passenger liners...a worthy sequel to his entertaining The Only Way to Cross. -- Christian Science Monitor

The author, who probably writes more interestingly about cruise ships than any other, has done it again...he is an authentic historian and never dull. -- Times Picayune

The master is in top form. This time he covers the cruise ships, giving us the same engrossing blend of pertinent facts, charming trivia, and solid social history that made The Only Way to Cross such a joy to read. -- Walter Lord, author of A Night to Remember

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 512 pages
• Publisher: Sheridan House; 2nd edition (July 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1574091085
• ISBN-13: 978-1574091083
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,522,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Next Best Thing to Booking a Berth on These Seagoing Cities, October 29, 2000

By 

James J. Bloom (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Liners to the Sun (Paperback)

I had been enticed by the hardcover edition at the library and was hoping this softcover brought it up to date from 1985...but the only addenda from 2000 were confined to the new preface. Hence four instead of five stars. That said, this book is truly a celebration of the ultimate seagoing experience ( unless you are a dedicated small boat windsailor). Maxtone-Graham KNOWS and LOVES his ships-- down to the details of welding and design-- their captains and crew, their passengers and their milieux, and the sheer exuberance of unwinding, relaxing, shmoozing, partying or simply vegging on an ocean-going palace. The author's wonderfully cosmopolitan outlook and elegance of expression match the glitz, glamor --- and sometimes grit-- of the wonderful vessels he describes with such evocative precision. He is at home among the hoi polloi, but definitely no effete snob. When addressing the delicate issue of Class versus Crass (yesteryear's sophisticated passenger contrasted to today's alleged boor) the author wisely points out that the Old Guard elite also had their share of back-slapping, spittle shpritzing louts aboard. Those who mourn the passing of Great Liner gentility have forgotten about these annoying ship crawlers. Maxtone-Graham does make distinctions between the most garish of the party-hardy Spring Break specials and the classier cruise ships. He does not neglect the luxurious smaller vessels as so many cruise ship writers do. For example the always interesting Arnold Kludas won't consider any ship under 10,000 gross tons in his multi-volumed compendium. Maxtone-Graham gives a vivid and affectionate review of an Atlantic crossing on one of the first of the modern Mega-Yachts, the 4,250 ton Sea Goddess I (now operated by Seabourn with its sister ship). I particularly enjoyed the lively accounts of the memorable, and gone-forever,grand tours such as the 1938-39 lavish and fun-filled Normandie cruises to Rio and many other such "journeys to nowhere". I did not find the excellent depiction of the down and dirty details of design and construction at all boring, as the author feared. Equally informative is the insight into the economic realities confronting the cruise travel industry as it enters the twenty-first century. Details such as cabin and bathroom design are brought to life by demonstrating the relative comfort and convenience factors of different arrangements. I have never tired of re-reading this wonderfully evocative book. Having missed the author's The Only Way to Cross, the appendix relating some letters he received about the earlier book was a welcome bonus. The illustrations....deck plans, interior and exterior photos and drawings, are quite helpful in visualizing life and luxury aboard. Highly recommended both for bon voyagers and those who would rather read about life at sea from a dry and steady berth.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Liners to the Sun - the Next Generation, October 6, 2000

By 

"gprince5" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liners to the Sun (Paperback)

The natural follow-on to his seminal "The Only Way to Cross," "Liners to the Sun" brings more of Maxtone-Graham's great stories to print. Able to describe technical details with an easy precision, the author also contributes a great deal to the lore of cruising, from the earliest history to the latest developments, from the economics of cruise voyages to rich anecdotal details of what life is like on a long cruise (for some too long!). This review is written from the 1985 edition, and there have been so many changes in the industry that a new edition is not only cause for celebration, but also an incentive to own both books!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars About the realities and experiences of life on the waves, June 19, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Liners to the Sun (Paperback)

Liners To The Sun is an engaging and informative "ocean travelogue" which also offers considerable insight on the past, present, and possible future of ocean cruising. Featuring more than 250 black-and-white photographs and drawings, showcased with an authentically detailed narration, and an attention to the nuts-and-bolts of shipboard voyages, combine to make Liners To The Sun an especially recommended title for anyone wanting or needing to learn more about the realities and experiences of life on the waves in general, and ocean bound cruising in particular.