Cabin Class Rivals: Lafayette & Champlain, Britannic & Georgic and Manhattan & Washington

"Cabin Class Rivals" certainly ranks at the top of the class of ocean liner books now being published by The History Press. It is well researched and very well written. The authors provide an informative history of the use of the term "cabin class" and put it into the context of the shipping industry from before WW1 through the Depression to post-WW2, when it was replaced by "first class". The term addressed marketing rather than technical issues. Owners of older luxury liners, unable to meet competition from newer, bigger, more luxurious ships, might prolong their commercial lives by re-naming "first class" accommodations as "cabin class", and offer reduced fares with very little change in service, thus garnering more passengers. This became a winning business model as the Depression continued, and White Star, the French Line & US Lines responded with the six ships featured in this volume. As the authors note, there were many other cabin class liners for other shipping companies.The ships' histories are not limited to their civilian service, but the authors include complete details, with photographs, of their wartime duties as troopships and fates. The pre-war loss of Lafayette is detailed as well as the harrowing attacks on Georgic (bombed in Port Tewfik, Egypt) and Manhattan (bombed in Singapore), as well as the loss of Champlain to a mine and a devastating fire aboard Manhattan in the summer of 1942. They also detail a little known US military action that began while the US was officially still neutral. In November 1941 Manhattan, Washington and America (taken over by the US Navy as Wakefield, Mount Vernon and West Point), with other former US passenger ships and a US naval escort including an aircraft carrier and cruisers, boarded several thousand British troops in Halifax for transport around Africa to Egypt and the far east. The three named ships came under Japanese air attack in Singapore on this mission.Although the book contains very many photographs, I would have liked even more, but that seems to be the case with every book I've ever seen on ocean liners! I have 16 books published by The History Press or at least in the same format. Only Derek Grout's "RMS Empress of Ireland" is equal to "Cabin Class Rivals". The others range from mediocre to embarrassing (I will probably never buy another book by William Miller, who desperately needs an editor--although I have already helped his bank account). I highly recommend "Cabin Class Rivals".

This is a wonderful book about a little remembered part of ocean traveling of the past. David Williams is famous for writing ocean travel by ship, past and present. Here, he has done an outstanding job This book has many fine photos and the narrative is excellent. These books tend to be published by British and other non American firms which I suppose accounts for the high retail prices. However, The Amazon price is a bargain. This is a rewarding purchase and experience

This is a must have if your an ocean liner fan! When it comes to ocean liner books, there is no shortage of books about the Cunard Queens, Normandie, Lusitania, & of course Titanic, but not much out there in regards to the cabin class liners discussed in this book. Sure these cabin class ships weren't built for speed & luxury like their front line fleet-mates, but they are impressive in their own right & very much deserve to have a well put together book about their history.

Not the most exciting liner book available, but the many nicely reproduced photos of these and other less familiar smaller ships are certainly welcome. In the recent past, there were only a handful of volumes about ocean liners - notably William Miller's great series for Dover. Today, there are dozens upon dozens of such books. While they may focus on the same ships, they often present different images of these vessels.A dedicated liner buff can't possible have too many views of say, the Mary or Normandy.

Terrific book about six fascinating liners that don't get as much attention as their larger and faster sisters. One quibble: wonder why there are so many photos of those more famous liners, which can be seen in other books? Seems like a waste of space

Another typically excellent collaboration by these two fine maritime authors. I love the ships they chronicle here and fimnd their work pretty damn good!

Well written book about liners that get lost in the shuffle when it comes to passenger vessels from the Golden Age of Sea Travel. So refreshing to learn about ships other than the Titanic and Queen Mary.

A really well written, informative book, about what became an important segment of liner history

Taking the idea of the three rival pairs of liners as its starting point, this book looks at both the ships and their service, but also the impact of the cabin class idea on transatlantic liner service. It puts the ships in context with references to other ships or even proposed ships st the same time. The text is further enhanced by first hand accounts, particularly of the White Star pair. Recommended for liner enthusiasts

An interesting, if little publicised, era in the history of the ocean liner is well covered with many excellent pictures of the six ships featured and of other ships of the time. If you are a passenger liner enthusiast, I would recommend it.

A well- researched book that thoroughly explains the concept of the "cabin liners" of the 1930s. Impressive, but lesser-known liners are discussed here. A great read.........

Beautifully illustrated book with interesting text accompanying it.

Much appreciated book covering some less well documented ships.