by Chris Frame and Rachel Cross

Cunard’s first ship, Britannia, set sail across the atlantic on 4 July 1840, inaugurating a service that has endured for 175 years.

Cunard’s success can be attributed to many factors including the line’s embrace of technological advances; from wooden paddle steamers to steel hulled leviathans; electric lighting to steam turbine engines. it also benefitted from national pride and the British government’s determination to ensure dominance on the atlantic.

But the ships themselves and the people who built, managed, crewed and travelled aboard them arguably had the greatest impact on the success of Cunard Line, creating shipboard environments that are unique and full of personality.

This book is a celebration of Cunard and it’s history including personal stories and beautiful photography. it is a tribute to the first and last line to operate regularly scheduled steam powered transatlantic crossings; and the people who made it happen.

I wouldn’t call this a history book as it is mainly photographs. However, some of these are very interesting and i would recommend it to our readers.

Hardback: 226mm x 248mm, 120 pp illustrated

Price: £20