QUEEN VICTORIA: A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY: MY REVIEW OF THE BOOK

Cover of Queen Victoria: A Photographic Journey

This book is part of the "a photographic journey" series by the two massive Cunard fans called Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross.

I have previously reviewed other books by these two Cunard fans,  and so was delighted to see that the Queen Victoria is now available as part of the series.

This is a larger sized book than the QM2 book, and so the images of all aspects of the ship can be enjoyed even more. I think the book benefits from the larger size as fans (or the interested) can better study the pictures.

Like with the other books by Chris and Rachelle, most of the pictures are their own and they cover the outside, passenger rooms and then also take us behind the scenes to see some of the areas of the ship that as passengers we never get to see. Due to their connections with Cunard, they are able to share these with us.

It is also evidence of the respect that Cunard has in their ability to cover the ship that Captain Rynd contributes to the book with his perspective. Also Alistair Greener who runs the official Cunard blog and is one of the Entertainment Directors for Cunard, wrote the foreward.

I have been on the ship just the once, and found the book a great reminder of the full scale and the detail of the ship. And realised too that I had actually missed out seeing some of this large and impressive ship. So it serves as both a way of preparing for a trip, or as a reminder afterwards.

There are some 120 pages in this well produced book that is published by The History Press and first appeared in 2010. The book covers the various accomodation, restaurants, bar and lounges, public rooms and behind the scenes. There is a short history of Cunard and then details and commentary on the various sections.

This is like the others in the series a book that shows passion and has a great balance of content and pictures. 

Another great edition to any Cunard and cruise fans collection.

Read my other reviews:

The QM2 Story

BUY THE BOOK ON AMAZON:

THE QM2 STORY BY CHRIS FRAME AND RACHELLE CROSS: MY REVIEW AND THOUGHTS

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There are quite a few books covering the Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2. So which one or ones to choose if you looking for one?


For me, I look out for people with real passion versus just an academic interest in Cunard and their ships, and Chris Frame and Rachelle Cross are just this.


Chris has run a popular website about Cunard and their ships for many years, and this is in fact how I first came across him. I was researching my first trip on a Cunard ship (Queen Elizabeth 2) in 2004 and found his insight, information and passion one of the best and clearest I could find. The link to his site is at the end of this posting.


He has written a few books with Rachelle, and this is one of his more recent ones published first in 2010 by The History Press as part of their "The Story" series covering various travel icons. These small hard cover books are around 120 pages, compact in size and in the case of "The QM2 Story" packed full of photographs (many taken by the authors themselves) and then this is a very entertaining and readable history of Cunard, stories about the amazing ship itself. At the end there is a date by date history of the ship, and then facts and figures about the fabulous ship.


Chris and Rachelle are very passionate about Cunard and the ship, and this shows through in the book. This passion and knowledge has also led to Chris being invited to talk on Cunard ships, and so you also know that the company sees the authors as experts. 


I found this book fun, entertaining and very informative. I loved it and recommend it, especially if you are looking for a fairly inexpensive way to find out and get your fix and brief on the ship before you travel on her.


I have put links to amazon.co.uk and amazon.com, but the books are also widly available through other online booksellers.


To visit Chris Frame's Cunard site: http://www.chriscunard.com/index.php




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Book review: The Fleet 1840-2004: Cunard's Flagships and Floating Palaces from the Earliest Days of Steam to "Queen Mary 2": Elspeth Wills

I bought this book on the QE2 during the December 2004 crossing.

This is really comprehensive and well laid out little book. It is nicely put together, very visual with just enough text and key facts for each ship to give you a good feel for the history and how the trends developed over time.

It is split into 7 sections and covers 60 ships that starts with “The Atlantic Steamers 1840-1869”, into “Emigrant Ships to Luxury Liners 1870-1899” through “The Elegant Edwardians 1900-1914” and onwards. The last 2 being “Built for the Sun 1946-1996” and finally “New Queens for a New Millennium 1997-2004”.

There is a nice mix of photographs of and on the ships, along with adverts for the ships, anecdotes and quotes.

It is perfect for someone that has passion for cruising and ships, and Cunard in particular but does not the desire to read a large volume of facts, figures and history.

Highly recommended!