The Only Way to Cross: The Golden Era of the great Atlantic express liners---from the Mauretania to the France and the Queen Elizabeth 2

And one of the best ways to read of crossing the `ditch' on the big liners of yesteryear. Along with John Malcolm Brinnin's work ([Beau Voyage: Life Aboard Last Great Ships]) this book stands as defining the period, and the grace, power and engineering of the industry. The writing is graceful too, and the photographs ravishing and - to my generation - evocative.It was the Jumbo Jets that killed the industry of course, crossing the Atlantic in hours rather than days, and, originally and only initially of course, more economically. Of course, on the liners one was treated not only royally but even - gasp! - as though one was a welcomed guest and even a human being.So, having killed off the competition, except for one or two of the majestic queens of the sea now degraded to floating holiday camps and `cruising', and with a gradual erosion of expectations of service and courtesy, the airlines took over "The Crossing". Then, having evaded true competition, those offering the "economic and quicker passage" rapidly escalated the fares up to near parity, unless one would accept "Steerage" (in Tourist) or pay exorbitant additional fees for a more humane seat and a faint echo of services.But do not bring your bags!

Her is a great history of the great ships that once graced the route of ocean travel. Since the story ended with the birth of the QE2 a follow up book would be awesome in 2017 only 2 of thos ships still exist and one of them may soon be gone as well. This would leave the Queen Mary as the only example of ocean travel. The Hale trophy (for the fastest Atlantic crossing) now no longer to one of these great ships and the last liner to winner is rusting to death at its mooring. The great cruse ships partialy carry on the oceas tradition and it would be nice to continue with their stories.

Back in the early and mid sixties my grandmother used to drop by my parents' house and regale my parents with tales of the ocean liners of time including the France, the Queen Elizabeth, and the Queen Mary, all the ones she'd just sailed on. In 1967 when the Queen Mary took its last voyage to Long Beach to retire she predicted the end of the ocean liner business, losing out to airplanes. That's the theme of this book written by John Maxtone-Graham with a Foreward by Walter Lord and published in 1972. They even include a photo of the France, Rafaello, the Queen Elizabeth, the Constitution, and the United States tied up at Luxury liner Row in November of 1966 which they label "Gotterdammerung". The irony is that now Queen Mary 2, the billion dollar ship, now plies the Atlantic doing crossings at all times of the year. The liner business seems to have been reborn after being reinvented as something for the middle and lower classes and not just the aristocracy. Everything the authors thought they were reporting seems to be an historical blip.by Linda Cargill, author of Key to Lawrence

If you've ever been curious about the passenger liners which plied the North Atlantic between the US and Europe in days gone by, you will probably love this book. It is filled with information about what it was like to travel on one of them, as well as the engineering marvels which enabled them to be built. It isn't at all dry, and is loaded with photographs from the era. In all, I cannot recommend this engaging book highly enough.

This a romance story about an era, nay, a way of life that is gone forever. Made obsolete with the advent of jet travel, ocean crossings - once, the only way to cross - is simply a memory of that declining population that experienced it. It mirrors as well the decline of the British empire that was the symbol of that travel. It was so much more than simply going from one part of the world to another. In many cases, it was leaving one world behind forever. But, in the end, it is the writing that makes this book worth reading again and again. It is a perfect compliment to a great subject. I love this book and its story.

I sailed on two of these great liners- The UNITED STATES and the FRANCE. Brought back cherished memories.

John's mom, Ann is my hero. She'd 'board' me at her Cape Cod guest house (River House) on Bass River in thelate 40's whenever my dad would leave for business. I knew John and his twin, Mike, but they were seldom home.As a single mom, Mrs. Graham was gracious, amazingly competent, and a major boost to my esteem during those challenging times. This is my chance to salute her, publicly. No wonder her twins were so successful. tk

book arrived on time and in condition advertised. I'm good. (Sort of.)

Great book! Had to get it to my Titanic memorabilia. It's full of many unusual facts as well rumours made by people and various kinds of ships. Very rich language and author has a lot of knowledge and also, each chapter is about another ship. Very good buy! 5 stars!

EXCELLENT Interesting facts and stories from a lost era..

just my sort of book. It was Rod Stewarts recommendation for a summer read in the Times. Good on you Rod . tell us about some more.

Really Great and thoroughly enjoyable, well written Book, Nostalgic while giving you the story of Transatlantic travel during the golden years.

You've already read plenty of books about the Titanic. It's time to put all that in context, and learn more broadly and deeply about the culture of ocean crossings that existed in that era. Reading this book is the closest you will ever come to living your dream of travelling on a classic ocean liner. Written in good, rich, quality, old-school English, too. If you get bored reading the chapter about the Mauretania, just skip ahead. I burned through this book real quick.