Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

  • Apple
  • Android
  • Windows Phone
  • Android

To get the free app, enter your email address or mobile phone number.
Download to your computer
Kindle Cloud Reader
Facebook Twitter Pinterest <Embed>
Buy New
$15.45
Qty:1
  • List Price: $19.95
  • Save: $4.50 (23%)
FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books.
Only 11 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
The Big Ship: The Story o... has been added to your Cart
Want it Thursday, April 7? Order within and choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout. Details
Ship to:
Select a shipping address:
To see addresses, please
or
Please enter a valid US zip code.
or

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon
Flip to back Flip to front
Listen Playing... Paused   You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition.
Learn more
See all 2 images

The Big Ship: The Story of the S.S. United States Paperback – July 5, 2011

by
Frank O Braynard (Author)
› Visit Amazon's Frank O Braynard Page
Find all the books, read about the author, and more.
See search results for this author
Are you an author? Learn about Author Central
Frank O Braynard (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 25 customer reviews
See all 4 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Price
New from Used from
Kindle
"Please retry"
$7.89
— —
Hardcover
"Please retry"
$29.24
$21.23 $16.97
Paperback
"Please retry"
$15.45
$12.54 $10.46
A History of Violence: Living and Dying in Central America by Oscar Martinez
"A History of Violence" by Oscar Martinez
This is a book about one of the deadliest places in the world and provides an unforgettable portrait of a region of fear and a subtle analysis of the North American roots and reach of the crisis, helping to explain why this history of violence should matter to all of us. See more | See related books
$15.45 FREE Shipping on orders with at least $25 of books. Only 11 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Frequently Bought Together

  • The Big Ship: The Story of the S.S. United States
  • +
  • SS United States: Lady in Waiting
Total price: $33.26
Buy the selected items together

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
This shopping feature will continue to load items. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading.
Back
  1. SS United States: Lady in Waiting
    Walter Cronkite
    4.7 out of 5 stars 28
    DVD
    $17.81 Prime
  2. A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S.S. United States
    Steven Ujifusa
    4.8 out of 5 stars 112
    Paperback
    $12.93 Prime
  3. A Man and His Ship: America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S.S. United States
    Steven Ujifusa
    4.8 out of 5 stars 112
    Hardcover
  4. SS United States: Red, White, & Blue Riband, Forever
    John Maxtone-Graham
    4.7 out of 5 stars 32
    Hardcover
    $54.24 Prime
  5. SS United States (Classic Liners)
    Andrew Britton
    4.3 out of 5 stars 10
    Paperback
    $26.74 Prime
  6. SS United States: Speed Queen of the Seas
    William H. Miller
    4.7 out of 5 stars 14
    Paperback
    $30.76 Prime
Next
NO_CONTENT_IN_FEATURE
China
Engineering & Transportation Books
Discover books for all types of engineers, auto enthusiasts, and much more. Learn more

Product Details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Turner (July 5, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1596527641
  • ISBN-13: 978-1596527645
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,122,126 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Customers Viewing This Page May Be Interested In These Sponsored Links

  (What's this?)
1.  American History Books opens new browser window
  -  
Choose one of our history sets. As low as $2.95--plus a free book.
www.loa.org/
2.  United States Shipping opens new browser window
  -  
Find United States Shipping Fast: Get Results from Multiple Engines!
united-states.findsmarter.com/
3.  The Winter of History DVD opens new browser window
  -  
Author Neil Howe explains 4-turning rhythm of American history
www.lifecourse.com/4tdvd

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsThe Big Ship..........
By AFL. III on November 29, 2001
Format: Hardcover
This is a story, not of only the SS United States, but also of the man who designed it, and lived the story. Mr. Gibbs' passion for this project is compelling from the very start. Following "Big U" from inception, to construction, to service, back to out of service. A wonderful book that is more in depth than the William Miller book "The SS United States, the story of America's fastest liner." This is a "MUST OWN" book and well worth any price. GREAT illustrations, and just you will not wish to put it down!
1 Comment 13 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
4.0 out of 5 starsLast Word on SS United States
By James J. Varela on July 17, 2011
Format: Paperback
This book is the last word on the rise and fall of the SS United States. Very well done research on the behind the scenes events from the building of the liner to the infamous labor strife that was rampant in the U.S. Merchant Marine, the endless bickering over government subsidies and finally the decision to pull the plug on The U.S. passenger fleet. One area this book lacks it is very short on photos for a book of this type. Most are of celebrities of the age on their Trans Atlantic crossings over the years. The index too looks like someone forgot to complete it. It is tragic the British Queen Mary was saved and sits in Long Beach California while the SSU was allowed to be sold off in 1977 to an under-capitalized businessman for a pittance and allowed to decay over the years.
Comment 10 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsThe Greatest Ship
By Dale Boulton on March 1, 2016
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Mr. Braynard is a long-time author about ships and the sea. Mr. Braynard has done a great job defining the designer of the SS United States - William Francis Gibbs. He talks about the work of the Gibbs brothers from the days in the 1910's to the 1950's when the SS United States was constructed at the largest privately owned shipyard in the world - Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company. Unlike previous ship launchings, SS United States was built in a drydock and floated out of the drydock at the launching. Because of the SS United States glamorous presence with her rounded front superstructure, her low and sleek looking upper decks and her massive funnels which were raked to look fast. the United States had an aura that attracted celebrities to travel to and from Europe. Mr. Braynard has a writing style that makes the ship and her crew come alive. I have read many of Mr. Braynard's books over the last 50 years and I have some of his books in my personal library including this book.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
4.0 out of 5 starsGlory of bygone days
By Bill McConnell on February 21, 2013
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
I was a USAF weather observer stationed in England when the "United Sates" made it's maiden voyage across the Atlantic. We, of course, received weather reports from all the ships at sea and plotted thier name and weather report at lattitude and longitude onto our maps,to be able to track storm systems long before they reached Europe. One could follow the dwadling progross of the various ships as they made their way to their destinations.
However, the "United States" progress was a completely different and amazing thing. We couldn't believe that a ship could cross the Atlantic so fast! A source of American Pride, indeed!
Reading this book of the trials and tribulations of the architect is fascinating story - a bit slow a times, but is well worth the time and money to read about just how the greatest American ship came about.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starslike a single malt straight up!
By Amazon Customer on June 15, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
Frank Braynard was a brilliant, charming and chatty ocean liner historian that actually lived the history and it shows in this richly cogent history of what was once highest in style and technology. It's like listening to a favorite uncle tell tales about your favorite subject. His words really take you there, so to speak.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsGreat Fast Read
By Kindle Customer on August 18, 2014
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Great read lots of unknown information to me. After reading I went and made a donation to The S/S United States Conservatory. This ship must be saved. There will never be an opportunity like this again. Read this book and see what your missing. Couldn't put it down!
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
5.0 out of 5 starsBig U Update
By TomEnroute on June 15, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
A revised and updated edition of one of the classic ocean liner books written by one of the all time great maritime historians. If you don't have the original, then this is a must for any ocean liner enthusiast.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
4.0 out of 5 starsVery enjoyable read about a great ship.
By Karl Slingsby on October 26, 2014
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
The book starts off slow during the design phase of the ship, but I found the middle years of service to be very interesting. By the end of the book, you are left very sadden by what has become of this great ship.
Comment Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsIf you are interested in ships and want a great read, I highly...

Read this several years ago. Watched the ship being built as a teenager and vowed I would one day sail on it. I did in 1955 at the age of 20 and was wowed by the beauty and speed. Read more

Published 11 days ago by Sandra Reiseman
4.0 out of 5 starsWe need more people like him to make us great again

It was a very interesting history of American engineering. We need more people like him to make us great again.

Published 2 months ago by Jch
5.0 out of 5 starsGood to see this reprinted

Good to see this reprinted. Original large format publication was hard to locate and usually sold for $345 used, and now everyone can enjoy this Braynard book, in this new smaller... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Amazon Customer
4.0 out of 5 starsI visited this ship in Bremerhaven in 1961 while sailing ...

I visited this ship in Bremerhaven in 1961 while sailing for American Export. Some of my classmates from the Merchant Marine Academy were engineers aboard. Read more

Published 6 months ago by upperroad
5.0 out of 5 starsJohn Graham about the special lady and the wonderful treatment that...

Recognized as The Definitive book on the SS United States or the Big U as she is known to all in her home town. I have spoken with Mr Braynard in the past as well as Mr. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Gene Carter
5.0 out of 5 starsPresent for my sister.

Present for my sister. She came to the USA on the ship

Published 12 months ago by Janette H Pfaff
3.0 out of 5 starsInteresting history of the SS United States from inception to ...

Interesting history of the SS United States from inception to end of service. A bit too much detail on her voyages over the years

Published 13 months ago by halskis
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Good book on the creation and life of a great national treasure.

Published 17 months ago by B. Clarke

Set up an Amazon Giveaway

The Big Ship: The Story of the S.S. United States
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
This item: The Big Ship: The Story of the S.S. United States
Set up a giveaway

There's a problem loading this menu right now.

Learn more about Amazon Prime.