The Edwardian superliners : a trio of trios

Three sets of ocean liners, each destined to be of three vessels, dominated the Atlantic in the Edwardian era.

The race to build the biggest and the best began with Mauretania and Lusitania in 1906, followed by the White Star Line's Olympic and Titanic in 1911-12.

Each of these pairs was to see a larger sister, developed as a result of changes needed or desired as a result of operating the two earlier vessels, with Cunard's being Aquitania and White Star's, the ill-fated Britannic.

Germany's answer to these British behemoths was the Albert-Ballin designed trio of Imperator, Vaterland and Bismarck.

Through misfortune or war, two of these vessels would sink but the others led useful lives, with Aquitania surviving two world wars before being scrapped.

Designed to be the absolute engineering achievements of their time, these nine vessels dominated the Atlantic.

J. Kent Layton tells the story of the Edwardian Superliners in this fabulously illustrated volume, showcasing many images previously unpublished and never before seen.

Rarely can one describe a book as definitive, but this volume truly deserves the accolade.