"The Sway of the Grand Saloon: A Social History of the North Atlantic" by John Malcolm Brinnin, first printing of Barnes & Noble edition with full number line on the copyright page, 2000; illustrated.

Original dust jacket, hard boards, original black cloth spine, gold lettering, 6.1/4" x 9.1/4", 600 pages including Index, very good condition.

"This book is a chronicle of the ships that traveled between Europe and North America, from the 1800's sailing ships, to steamships, leading up to the modern day. It includes lots of interesting vignettes from each time period, including contemporary accounts from travelers.

Though the technical details of the great liners are fascinating, the purpose here is to examine the relationship of the glorious ships and the people who owned them, sailed them, and traveled on them. They provide a compact illustration of society as it was in Victorian times and society as it is now, and it's not much different..." [a review]

“And a thoroughly enjoyable book it is too, Brinnin brings alive the Brunel and Cunard ambitions and achievements and writes the adventure-story of the challenges and competition of the early transatlantic crossings, by steam rather than the glorious "cloud driven" sailing packets and schooners of the East Coast and the Maritimes. From the first `hybrids' of steam-assisted clippers through to the close of the glorious trade of the super-liners with their swaying Grand Saloons the author humanizes a history peopled by many strong and daring characters. [a review]

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