An irresistible world unfolds in this fascinating voyage through the heyday of the great ocean liners. For over a century, from the 1850s to the launch of the Queen Elizabeth II in 1969, great ships like the "Queen Mary, Normandie," and "Brittania" were undisputed monarchs of the sea, when the transatlantic crossing was still the swiftest route between Europe and America. "Luxury Liners" presents a sumptuous illustrated history of the glamorous life onboard these enormous ships. The book's organization mimics an actual crossing: the mountains of cargo crammed below decks before embarkation; the crossing itself, with entertainment that might include trained seals; the danger of shipwrecks; and finally, arrival. Illustrated with rare, unpublished photographs from private collections, "Luxury Liners" is ideal for maritime history buffs and lovers of a bygone era.