The cruise ship market is a 30 billion-dollar industry; and in 2013 it is estimated that it will carry more than 20 million passengers; nor is there any sign of a slow down in the seven percent annual growth. What keeps the passengers coming in such huge numbers isn’t the food; the ports or the entertainment. They come for the magnificent floating palaces themselves; the giants of the sea.In this new book; the author showcases the most influential cruise ships of the last three decades beginning with Royal Caribbean’s groundbreaking Sovereign of the Seas. When she was launched in 1988 she was the largest passenger ship constructed since Cunard’s Queen Mary entered service some 48 years earlier; and her entry into service sparked a fiercely competitive building boom that continues to this day. The reader is taken aboard thirty of the most spectacular ships to reveal how their innovative designs changed the landscape of modern cruising. By employing original and archival photographs; deck plans; cruise programs; as well as the author’s intimate knowledge of many of these vessels; a unique picture is built up of these great ships and it becomes clear that the true Golden Age of Cruising is not in some distant past but exists right now; and that its origins can be traced back to one ship; launched in 1988. A truly sumptuous and fascinating book for all those drawn to the world of the modern cruise ship.
#755216 in Books 2010-09-21 2010-09-21Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.48 x 3.30 x 7.23l; .36 #File Name: 184603953348 pages
Review
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Solid treatment of the Soviet Union's battlefield helicopterBy Steven PetersonThe Mi-24 was a battlefiend helicopter; it was bigger than equivalent American choppers (such as the Huey). This helicopter could carry up to 8 soldiers and had anti-tank capability. Indeed; the Hind apparently is still used by 60; countries and has shown considerable longevity as a weapon.Its history began in the 1960s; as the Soviet Union looked to develop a "battlefield helicopter." It actually entered service in 1970. The book goes on to describe the variety of Hinds as the helicopter evolved over time. There is also discussion of its use in actual battle; including Afghanistan and elsewhere. Attrition was pretty high in Afghanistan; especially after American-made Stingers (shoulder launched surface to air missiles) were supplied to the Afghan rebels.Very nice--albeit brief--introduction to this heavy duty battlefield helicopter.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Decent overview of the MI-24 "Hind" gunship.By Stone DogFirstly; this is a typical Osprey title in many ways. There are many and very good color plates; photos and illustrations. Osprey does a fine job of making a book that is visually informative and appealing.The author does a credible job of relating the process of design-to-build cycle; the technical aspects of the aircraft; powerplants; the weapons systems that were incorported into the helicopter as well as the changes made to it over the years. The author makes the reader aware of national militaries that bought the "Hind" in addition to Soviet/client states. He writes of the conflicts in which the MI-24 took part in a very limited fashion.This is where I feel the book fell down. There is very little information on how it performed in combat. The author is able to tell us sorties and loss rates; but very little else. Unlike a number of Osprey weapons titles I have read; there's no "first person" accounts or evaluation of the Hind in battle. Does a big; heavy gunship offer any advantage in combat over the lighter; smaller helicopters that US/NATO countries deploy? Is the bigger MI-24 able to absorb more punishment than; say; an AH-1 Cobra?The author writes in a clear; cogent fashion; but didn't really make it an interesting or fun read. This Osprey title seems very thin at only 48 pages and was difficult to for me to justify paying almost $20 for it. To me; this book is just okay and gets three stars.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Good introduction to the "Flying Tank"By James D. CrabtreeAs a Stinger gunner in the 1980s I was trained to respect this awesome helo. Armor protection; a wide spectrum of weapons and even the possibility of airlanding ground troops... it made for a pretty dangerous aircraft. On top of that; the Soviets experiences with Stinger in Afghanistan meant that you had to plan your shot REALLY carefully.Now on to this book. I liked that it discussed the background on the design process and looked at a Kamov design as a possible competitor (even though the prototype didn't look nearly as capable) and saw a lot of good material discussing the evolution from the "greenhouse" cockpit to the bubbles. Very good material. However; the book seemed to taper off a little towards the end. Osprey books tend to pack a lot of information in a slim volume but this one seemed to fall short a little bit. Nevertheless; a fine book and one that includes some great photos and artwork.
