International Liners 1865-1940 is a pictorial treasure chest full of fine, large-size images of a good 750 passenger ships from the time that such vessels were photographed predominantly in black and white. It is a ship ‘picture’ book rather than a ship ‘history’ book. Each vessel is characterized in a short caption presenting the main details from the ship’s operational life. As the author himself remarks: “This is not a ‘reference’ book in the standard sense, although I hope it serves as a pictorial reference. The scope of the volume illustrates the progression of ship design through the late 19th and early 20th centuries.” The introduction by the knowledgeable ship-historian Dirk Pilkes is an expert text introducing the reader into the fascinating details of ship design development and transitions in maritime propulsion during the century of naval history this book is covering. In its setup, it is unique in its sort. It is the first of a series that will appear in the coming years, on the basis of various magnificent ship photo-collectors from all over the world.The author, Rich Turnwald, was born in Michigan, USA but has lived for most of his life in Miami, Florida. Over the past 40 years he has worked in the cruise industry: shoreside in cruise line operations management, on board ships in various positions, including Chief Purser, and now owns and operates his own cruise agency. Passenger ships have always been his major focus of interest, leading to his involvement in the Steamship Historical Society of America; he was a former Chairman of the Florida Chapter of SSHSA and is currently a regional editor for their publication PowerShips. Rich has collected ocean liner memorabilia for over 50 years: china, brochures, deck plans, models, books, etc. but it is his vast collection of photographs, postcards, and slides in which he takes the most pride. From that fine collection this book publishes selected photographs of 750 ships, covering the decades of international passenger shipping from 1865 to 1940. Liners of all sorts and sizes are represented in large-size images.In his enthusiastic forward to this magnificent publication, renowned ‘Mister Ocean Liner’ William H. Miller wrote: “This is a wonderful book – and an eye-pleasing compilation of photos of passenger ships: large and small, famous and those less so. I will sit and slowly turn the pages and look, compare, examine. And be excited by the rare and unusual views as well! So, like me, sit back and enjoy this superb book!”