Man and His Ship : America's Greatest Naval Architect and His Quest to Build the S. S. United States

by Ujifusa, Steven

• ISBN13: 9781451645071
• ISBN10: 1451645074
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2012-07-10
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Summary

In the tradition of David McCullough's grand histories, the sweeping story of one man's quest to build the fastest, finest ocean liner in historyset against the politics, culture, and enterprise of twentieth century America.Taking readers back to a golden age, when America's industrial might, innovative ambition, and maritime dynamism were unmatched, Steven Ujifusa's groundbreaking debut sheds light on a forgotten genius and the sleek vision to which he gave birth. William Francis Gibbs was an American original, on par with John Roebling of the Brooklyn Bridge and Frank Lloyd Wright of Fallingwater. Forced to drop out of Harvard following his family's sudden financial ruin, he overcame debilitating shyness and lack of formal training to become the visionary creator of some of the finest ships in history. He spent forty years dreaming of the ship that became his post-World War II masterpiece, the S.S. United Statesa cutting-edge ocean liner whose hull and engine room designs were classified top secret. Capable of carrying 2,000 passengers at the record-breaking clip of 35.59 knots, she could be transformed into a troopship capable of delivering 14,000 soldiers over 10,000 miles without refueling. In telling the story of this iconic vessel that delivered people from all walks of life across the Atlantic for almost two decades, Ujifusa captures a perfect storm of man and machine, when one innovator's dream stamped its mark on an era. A Man and His Ship is a first-rate work of history that heralds the arrival of an exciting new talent.

Author Biography

Steven Ujifusa serves on the Advisory Council of the S.S. United States Conservancy. He received his master’s degree in historic preservation and real estate from the University of Pennsylvania and his B.A. in history from Harvard University.