John Maxtone-Graham

Farthest north, farthest south - in the heroic age of polar exploration at the beginning of the twentieth century, the race was ferociously contested. British, American, Swedish and Norwegian expeditions all vied for the greatest prize of all - the poles - knowing that they might forfeit their lives in the attempt. On the way they faced horrific conditions, frostbite and starvation rations, exhaustion and too often also the bitter clashes of personality that beset men under extreme stress. In these days of modern technology, it is almost impossible for us to imagine the hardship these explorers endured. Sledgers camped overnight in subzero agony, their sweat-soaked furs frozen into icy suits of armour as soon as they stopped moving. With no vitamins and no easily preserved food they faced scurvy and worse. This hair-raising account covers every aspect of the polar great game, the renowned names such as Robert Peary, Roald Amundsen, Salomon Andree, Fridtjof Nansen, Ernest Shackleton, and Robert Scott are all here, their ponies, dogs and sledges, their daily experiences, and always, the addictive quest for polar immortality.

The Heroic Age of Polar Exploration

Safe Return Doubtful

Violet Jessop

This is a unique eye-witness account of the most written about disaster of the 20th century. Joining the Royal Mail Line in 1908, Violet Jessop spent her entire career at sea, travelling on more than 200 voyages. She was a stewardess for the first-class passengers on the Titanic when it sank on its maiden voyage in April 1912 after hitting an iceberg. Her description of the sinking is chilling as she sees to the needs of the passengers before finding a warm coat for herself. Four years later, she was a wartime nurse aboard the hospital ship Britannic when it struck a mine and sank to the bottom of the Aegean.

Titanic Survivor

In January 2004, Cunard Line's latest flagship, the stupendous Queen Mary 2, sailed on her maiden voyage from England. Not merely a cruise ship, this fourth Cunard Queen is a true ocean liner, able to cross the Atlantic in all weathers at high speed, sustaining the company's celebrated heritage. She is the most expensive, ambitious and largest passenger cruise ship of all time. The Queen Mary 2 book documents the creation of this remarkable vessel from keel laying to christening and features stunning four-colour photographs and paintings, details of design, construction, engines, lavish interiors, sea trails, and christening. It also contains archival images juxtaposing her significance against her predecessors. An eight-page gatefold shows a detailed cutaway of the remarkable interiors.

The Greatest Ocean Liner of Our Time

Queen Mary 2

Maxtone-Graham has yet again produced a profusely illustrated tribute, this one to America's most famous and historic liner.

John Maxtone-Graham

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