All five volumes in the history of French Line’s Normandie, at an amazing 20% discount.

In these five volumes, the reader can follow the entire history of this liner, from concept, through design. From construction to launch. From finishing to trials. And then the triumphant maiden voyage!

This was to be the greatest floating Art Deco masterpiece ever assembled, with work from every famous French artist and decorator from this period. The company and the nation were determined to make Normandie represent the best of France.

Normandie‘s full history

The five successful years of her commercial life are detailed in these beautifully illustrated and published books.

Internment, fire and salvage

Following the events of September 1939, Normandie was laid up at New York, pending the outcome of the situation in  Europe. Once America had entered the war, plans were drawn up for the best use of Normandie – aircraft carrier, aircraft transporter, hospital ship, troopship. Finally conversion work to a troopship was started, but following a series of incompetent decisions and careless workmen, tragically she caught fire and rolled over at her pier.

Too badly damaged to be worth trying to save, the decision was taken to undertake the largest salvage operation to date. After months of dangerous work by divers and salvage crews, she was righted, and then towed off to be scrapped.

A marvellous resource (the full Normandie set) – I wish this had been available years ago! John Maxtone-Graham

Your Normandie books hold a revered space on my bookshelf. Mario Pulice

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700+ pages, 2,600+ photographs and three throwout deck plans.
£152.00 plus shipping

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A hardback book covering the sad demise of French Line’s historic liner Normandie. This is the fifth volume in a monumental series.

Following the tragic events of September 1939, Normandie was laid up at New York. She was  carefully guarded pending the outcome of the situation in Europe. Once America had entered the war in 1941, plans were drawn up for the best use of Normandie. Ideas included an aircraft carrier, aircraft transporter, hospital ship or troopship.

Conversion of Normandie

Finally conversion work to a troopship, to be known as Lafayette, was started. Following a series of incompetent decisions and careless workmen, tragically she caught fire. Despite heroic efforts, she rolled over at her pier. The fire and capsize is thoroughly covered in detailed text and photographs.

The world’s largest salvage operation

Too badly damaged to be worth trying to save, the decision was taken to undertake the largest salvage operation to date. After months of planning and discussions, the near super-human task of salvaging Normandie began. She lay on her side, deep in the mud at New York City’s pier 88. Following lengthy and often dangerous work by divers and salvage crews, the hulk was righted. Finally she was towed off to be scrapped at the Lipsett scrapyard in New Jersey.

Her demolition brought an end to the story of what was arguably the greatest ocean liner ever.  

Other books in this series cover the design and construction, the Art Deco interiors, the maiden season winning the Blue Riband on the North Atlantic and the following years of service.

A marvellous resource (the full Normandie set) – I wish this had been available years ago! John Maxtone-Graham

Your Normandie books hold a revered space on my bookshelf. Mario Pulice

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152 pages with 550 photographs. £38.00 plus shipping

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A hardback book covering the last four years’ service of French Line’s historic liner Normandie. It is the fourth volume in this monumental series.

This volume takes a look at the rest of her service life for the next four seasons after the maiden year, as Normandie settled into regularly crossing the North Atlantic.

Also covered are the epic battles between Queen Mary over the Blue Riband, to which eventually she reluctantly had to concede defeat.

Normandie‘s famous Rio cruises

Normandie also undertook two stunning cruises to Rio in 1938 and 1939, timed to coincide with the world-famous Rio Carnival.

Four glorious years – then internment

Events surrounding Normandie are also covered, including the fires on board Paris and Lafayette, and the build-up to the outbreak of World War Two, ending with her internment in the apparent safety of New York harbour.

Other books in this series cover the design and construction, the Art Deco interiors, the maiden season winning the Blue Riband on the North Atlantic and the fire and salvage.

A marvellous resource (the full Normandie set) – I wish this had been available years ago! John Maxtone-Graham

Your Normandie books hold a revered space on my bookshelf. Mario Pulice

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148 pages with 550 photographs. £38.00 plus shipping

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A hardback book covering the life of French Line’s historic liner Normandie. It covers the triumphant maiden voyage and the first year of service. This is the third volume in this monumental series of five volumes.

Volume Three covers the festivities in preparation for Normandie‘s maiden voyage from Le Havre, the ship’s departure, her call at Southampton, and then the triumphant arrival at New York harbour, proudly flying the Blue Riband, before settling down to a glorious maiden season on the trans-Atlantic service.

Normandie‘s first year of service

Normandie‘s entire first momentous season is examined in carefully researched detail. Dozens of items of ephemera, menus, advertisements, etc. are featured.

Also covered is her dry docking for a refit that would help to eliminate her troublesome vibration, and increase her speed beyond that of Cunard’s Queen Mary, in an attempt to regain the coveted Blue Riband. 

Other books in this series cover the design and construction, the Art Deco interiors, the following years of service and then the fire and salvage.

A marvellous resource (the full Normandie set) – I wish this had been available years ago! John Maxtone-Graham

Your Normandie books hold a revered space on my bookshelf. Mario Pulice

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144 pages with 600 photographs. £38.00 plus shipping

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A hardback book covering the interiors of French Line’s historic liner Normandie. This is the second volume in a monumental five-part series.

This volume is devoted to the stupendous interiors – the greatest floating Art Deco masterpiece ever assembled. Every famous French artist and decorator from this period had their work included: the company and the nation were determined to make Normandie represent the best of France.

It covers public spaces for all classes as well as detailed accounts of the accommodations.

Guided tour through Normandie‘s interiors

Initially the reader follows a first class passenger as they board the liner and then accompanies them from bow to stern. From the main entrance hall we pass by the ornate lifts and then look at the chapel, then the swimming pool and gymnasium. After the grand Dining Room we pass through the Long Gallery to the Grand Salon and the Smoking Room, before looking at the Winter Garden and the Grill Room. Tourist and Third Class public areas are also covered.

We are then taken through the Deluxe suites, including the luxurious Deauville and Trouville suites: terrace cabins, and standard doubles and singles are also covered. Second and third class public areas and cabins are examined, as are crew accommodations including the captain’s quarters. 

Other books in this series cover the design and construction, the maiden season winning the Blue Riband on the North Atlantic, the following years of service and then the fire and salvage.

A marvellous resource (the full Normandie set) – I wish this had been available years ago! John Maxtone-Graham

Your Normandie books hold a revered space on my bookshelf. Mario Pulice

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A hardback book covering in great detail the design, construction, launch and trials of French Line’s historic liner Normandie.

The first volume in this monumental five-part series, it covers the conception, design, construction and trials of Normandie. French Line’s flagship from the mid-1930s, her interiors were an Art Deco masterpiece. However, it was Yorkevitch’s hull design that was to prove the breakthrough in marine engineering, and is the basis for most liner hulls today and ensured her place in maritime history.

CGT’s early history and design of Normandie

This volume covers the early history of CGT (French Line) and their earlier vessels. It then explains the reasons behind the design and building of the ship. It also examines the need for a new hull design, the best method of propulsion and the new slip and drydock needed to accommodate the vessel. From keel laying to trials, all aspects of Normandie‘s construction are covered. This volume also covers engineering and crew areas. 

Other books in this series cover the Art Deco interiors, the maiden season winning the Blue Riband on the North Atlantic, the following years of service and then the fire and salvage.

A marvellous resource (the full Normandie set) – I wish this had been available years ago! John Maxtone-Graham

Your Normandie books hold a revered space on my bookshelf. Mario Pulice

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126 pages with 550 photographs. £38.00 plus shipping

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