A Man and His Ship

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

By: Steven Ujifusa

Narrated by: Pete Larkin

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 40 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, of a truly remarkable journey on land and sea.

©2012 Steven Ujifusa (P)2012 Tantor

Critic reviews

"In his debut, Ujifusa harks back to a time when men were men, and transatlantic ships were serious business.... Written with passion and thoroughness, this is a love letter to a bygone time and the ships that once ruled the seas." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderful

Well written well narrated very interesting information about theUnited States ship, the United States itself, people, the Gibbs’ History and the destruction of this beautiful ship beginning with the unions.

Brilliant stores of Atlantic Liners

A very detailed story of not just the ship and it's designer but a historical view on the challenges of ship building and operation in the United States, England, Germany and later Italy and others. The time frame spans from the early 1900s all the way through present date. As with all books read by Pete Larkin the presentation is excellent.

A Historical Saga of American Ocean Lineers

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Anybody interested in this iconic ship and how it became to be, a good book.

Good read and lots of great history on naval engineering history in the 20th century

Good read and lots of great history on naval engineering history in the 20th century

Loved It!

Great story, just finished Fortune's Children about the Vanderbilts and I was surprised about the early beginnings of Mr Gibbs. The story of the man and the SS United States wad fascinating and enthralling and I'm sad nothing has been done to save such a magnificent ship.