Dynasties of the Sea: The Shipowners and Financiers Who Expanded the Era of Free Trade

by Lori Ann LaRocco, Lawrence B. Lindsey (Foreword), Matthew McCleery (Preface)

Dynasties of the Sea is the first book to examine one of the most powerful forces in global trade and economic development: world shipping and the magnates who drive the industry. Operating from Monaco to Hong Kong, London to Athens, Singapore to Oslo, shipowners and their financiers have changed the world in every way. From transporting agricultural products from Brazil to Africa and the Middle East, to delivering Australian iron ore to China, to carrying Middle East crude oil to Asia and the Americas, to carrying almost every article of clothing you are wearing and every electronic device in the world, shipowners have enabled global economic development and helped raise the global standard of living. While ocean shipping remains one of the most important businesses in the world, it is also one of the most volatile. Affected by such imponderables as weather and political upheaval, shipowning cultures have maintained their commitment to an industry that has endured for centuries - and will continue to endure for centuries to come. The candid and detailed first-person profiles that comprise Dynasties of the Sea provide critical insight into the psychology of today's generation of shipping magnates, from how they view risk - politically, economically and environmentally - to what they see transpiring in the world tomorrow.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, History, Economics, Finance, Maritime

290 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2012

Reviews

[Tanja Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in terms of understanding the market I am currently, but given its publishing date of 2013, rather outdated. Still, worth my time, from a business point of view.

[Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the book blurb by Donald Trump,"Powerful!", come on... I bet he never even read the book. How is a book about shipping industry people supposed to be 'powerful' anyways?

Second, this book was poorly edited. Even the dust cover is cheaply printed and misaligned.

Now to the actual contents of the book: Definitely an interesting selection of shipping personalities. I had hoped the book focused on the history and background of these people, as well as their leadership philosophies. In most of the cases its just superficial interviews with each person, talking about how they see the market and what they expect for the future. This means the book is not timeless, focusing on the current down-cycle.

This book could have been much more. I still enjoyed it and some of the interviews are quite good reads.

[Joseph · Rating 1 out of 5]

I grew up in a family with several members working in the harbor. I even applied for a job on the docks at 18. However, while the author captures some of the excitement of the sea this is a really poorly written book. It reads like a corporate research project gone awry. Poorly edited (like this post). A global shipping book and no discussion of Cabotage ?


One key takeaway: In 17th century shipping powered finance in London and assumingly Europe. That has now reversed.

[Clare · Rating 2 out of 5]

An orgy of poor editing - learn about "analytical analysis" and how certain correlations are highly correlated. More detailed review here: http://www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blo...

[Denise Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at some of the "movers & shakers" of modern shipping. They are a mix of bulk ship owners, oil rigs, ship management companies, financiers, and at least one container ship operator. Their skill set is interesting: fiscslly conservative, but willing to make a deal if the pruce is right. People are as important an asset as ships and they all love what they do.

I enjoyed recognizing some of the names and deals mentioned, including one company I worked for as well as a couple of current customers. Ms. LaRocco manages to keep the jargon to a minimum, which made this an enjoyable read.

[Phoebe Nguyen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title gave me high expectations. I had hoped to really know more about the characters that made the industry so interesting... But the book offers nothing more than a collection of Tradewinds interviews. Perhaps overreaching to expand the list to way many characters and in the end no indepth story of any...

[Nick Harriss · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book on a subject whose importance to the world is often forgotten. It deals with the most recent history of the industry, so the likes of Onassis only appear in passing. Well worth a read.

[Erich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book about an industry not covered publicly.

[Ken Hamner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative overall education of the shipping industry.