From Publishers Weekly
This engaging, lavishly illustrated history covers all things nautical, from dugout canoes to nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Naval historian Lavery emphasizes the evolution of maritime technology, delving into advances in naval architecture, navigation, rigging and propulsion, and spotlighting such storied specimens as the Greek trireme, the Viking longboat, the Spanish galleon and the World War I Dreadnought. He also explores the economic and world-historical impact of these advances in the fostering of long-distance trade, exploration, European imperial expansion and the growth of port cities. Lavery’s lucid exposition is enhanced by a wealth of illustrations, including diagrams, period paintings and color photo spreads of Nelson’s HMS Victory and other restored sailing vessels. The result is a superb coffee-table accouterment that is packed with enough information and lore to fascinate hard-core nautical buffs.Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Book Description
Looking at every aspect of water-going craft and the people who have sailed them - from dugout canoes and the boats of the Ancient Egyptians to battleships and modern cruise liners, Ship is the ultimate guide on maritime history. Covering everything from the endeavors of the great explorers as they mapped the globe to the impact of ships on trade and industry, this is a vast reference, with over 1,500 images, for nautical buffs and curious readers.

About the Author
Brian Lavery is Curator of Naval History at Britain's National Maritime Museum and has published numerous books about the history of ships. He was also a consultant on the 2003 film Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Looking at every aspect of water-going craft and the people who have sailed them - from dugout canoes and the boats of the Ancient Egyptians to battleships and modern cruise liners, Ship is the ultimate guide on maritime history. Covering everything from the endeavors of the great explorers as they mapped the globe to the impact of ships on trade and industry, this is a vast reference, with over 1,500 images, for nautical buffs and curious readers.