Normandiewas unquestionably the most beautiful ocean liner ever built. The world"s largest at the time, she also became the world"s fastest. Her art deco interiors were unrivaled: capacious, elegant, and chic, decorated by teams of France"s most talented artists. Yet Normandiewas plagued with frustrations'"never attracting more passengers than the competition and tragically ending her days in flames at New York"s Pier 88.Celebrated maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham confesses to a hypnotic fascination with Normandie. In this comprehensive volume, enriched by over 200 photographs and illustrations, he documents every aspect of the vessel"s decorative antecedents, design, construction, and service. Always articulate, entertaining, and devastatingly well informed, Maxtone-Graham has created the definitive Normandiepanegyric, a comprehensive and, at times, heartbreaking account of this fabled liner.

A magnificent tribute to the illustrious and ill-fated steamship.

John Maxtone-Grahamhas written numerous works, including The Only Way to Cross'"'the bible of the ship buffs.' He spends half the year lecturing aboard ocean liners. Ashore, he lives in New York City.