Book Review: The Great Passenger Ships Of The World
The Great Passenger Ships Of The World
By Raoul Fiebig, Frank Heine and Frank Lose
The five-volume Great Passenger Ships of the World by Arnold Kludas, Germany’s leading shipping historian, was first published by Patrick Stephens between 1975 and 1977. Covering every passenger ship over 10,000 gross registered tons, this series with regular updates has become the main reference on the subject for forty years.
Now published by Koehlers Verlagsgesellschaft the eighth edition of Great Passenger Ships of the World has been written by Raoul Fiebig, Frank Heine and Frank Lose under the watchful eye of Arnold Kludas. The result is a fantastic hardback, 308-page reference book covering 858 ships. The large format, 24 x 30 cm, has also ensured that every ship is illustrated in glorious colour with carefully chosen photographs. As well as key data, the information for each vessel also covers a complete history of the ship. Although the ships are mainly listed chronologically, sisters/series are grouped together. This is very useful when looking at the evolution of a particular type. The appendices cover cargo ferries and temporary passenger ships, former passenger ships, passenger ships under construction and passenger ships withdrawn since the last edition in 2010.
This indispensable guide to passenger ships has been printed on high quality paper and should be in every ship lover’s library. Bravo Raoul Fiebig, Frank Heine and Frank Lose for producing such a wonderful book.
Available on Amazon UK for £34.44 or Eur39.90
www.amazon.co.uk/Great-Passenger-Ships-World/
Available on Amazon USA for $27.23
www.amazon.com/Great-Passenger-Ships-World/
Review by Peter Newall
I have been delighted over the years with my volumes of this indispensable series of books and the bounty of facts and pictures contained within the covers.
One can always find what what may be looking for on line, however, it is the tangible heft of the book and the sensory feel and the satisfaction that only the printed book can offer. This is one must for all ship passenger ship enthusiasts
Thanks Peter for bringing this wonderful collection to hopefully new readers.
I have such a delight reading these books I am driving my wife mad however after 47 years of marriage I’m sure
she knew what she was getting herself into when we met on the ss Orcades in 1965 as 18 year olds during a 14 night South Pacific cruise. Married in 1970 had two sons
and still continue to cruise – 3 so far this year 3 more to go. The family say I am a cruise fanatic – agree and if not on a cruise the books help me fill in my day. What a life.
Thanks for delivering my daily dreams.
An interesting footnote re: this current, excellent reference book: Liner enthusiasts will note the drastic differences in nautical design of the listings of vessels in this excellent volume. Alas- there are very few “classic” ships to be cataloged. Also- many more ferry liners seemingly outnumber their passenger (only) counterparts.
This volume is a must have for those who’cve collected Kludas’ original 6….which, if one bothers can be found by many book resellers.
Picked mine up from Barnes Noble I ordered it thru them. I have book from early nineties and almost all ships have been scrapped. The new book is fantastic. I would of never knew about it if it wasn’t for maritime matters. I get excited whenever I get new book. I also ordered new book today about the Bremens flight to Germany from New York. Thank you always for book reviews and I almost always buy every book you talk about.
I just got book and it is great for anyone’s collection . High quality well done.