“A fascinating historical account…A snapshot of the American Dream culminating with this country’s mid-century greatness†(The Wall Street Journal).THE STORY OF A GREAT AMERICAN BUILDER AT the peak of his power; in the 1940s and 1950s; William Francis Gibbs was considered America’s best naval architect. His quest to build the finest; fastest; most beautiful ocean liner of his time; the S.S. United States; was a topic of national fascination. When completed in 1952; the ship was hailed as a technological masterpiece at a time when “made in America†meant the best. 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 the S.S. United States. William Francis Gibbs was driven; relentless; and committed to excellence. He loved his ship; the idea of it; and the realization of it; and he devoted himself to making it the epitome of luxury travel during the triumphant post–World War II era. Biographer Steven Ujifusa brilliantly describes the way Gibbs worked and how his vision transformed an industry. A Man and His Ship is a tale of ingenuity and enterprise; a truly remarkable journey on land and sea.
#3761524 in Books 2011-10-17Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.70 x 1.60 x 6.90l; 2.75 #File Name: 1444330152646 pages
Review
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Absolutely Essential Reference Source for Thomas JeffersonBy Ronald H. ClarkCurrently; still more books on Thomas Jefferson are being released. For example Jon Meacham's very well received biography has attracted considerable positive attention. I have certainly found it interesting and plan to do a review on shortly. Henry Wiencek's recent study of Jefferson and slavery has stirred up quite a fuss as his methodology and conclusions have been challenged by some students of TJ; including Annette Gordon-Reed; who has herself been quite critical of Jefferson.Since the flow of Jefferson books and articles will undoubtedly continue forever; it is a fortunate time for Frank Cogliano to release his "A Companion to Thomas Jefferson." The 600 page book is a compendium of essays by a number of Jefferson scholars on virtually every dimension of Jefferson's life; thought; political activities; and retirement that one could think of. It is one of a series of "companions" that Wiley-Blackwell is releasing on American presidents and other American topics and places.This particular companion evidences a very high quality of expertise and care in putting these studies together in a useful format.The essays are grouped under three headings: the first is "Jefferson's Life and Times." Included are essays on Virginia; the Declaration; the "Notes;" the Virginia Statute for Establishing Religious Freedom; the Paris years; the Election of 1800; and his retirement. All critical dimensions of his life.I found the second group; "Themes;" especially interesting. Here the authors address important issues such as Jefferson's libraries; TJ and the law; Sally Hemings; TJ and slavery; TJ's interest in the ancient world; and his views on education."Legacy" heads the final grouping of essays which probably deals with the questions most of us living today have about the actual significance of Jefferson. One key issue here is why does TJ continue to fascinate (or anger) us coming up on 200 years since his death in 1826? Another issue is whether Jefferson can still speak to us today; hence essays are included on his papers and the role of Monticello and its associated research arms. Each essay has suggested readings attached to it; and there is an outstanding and quite extensive bibliography at the end of the volume.A similar collective study is Frank Shuffelton's "Cambridge Companion to Thomas Jefferson." It has a few authors in common with the Cogliano collection; but some of the essays deal with topics not really examined there. At 200 pages; it is less hefty in bulk; but equally rich in ideas and insights.Just this week; there were several critical letters about Jefferson in the "New York Times." TJ has gone through many stages of public acceptance and criticism since he died. We should be thankful that we have access to these two fine and insightful collective studies of the man and his impact to help us sort out our feelings toward him.
