The Great Ships

by Patrick O'Brien

Here is a collective "biography" of the greatest ships the world has ever known. Since the time people first ventured into the oceans in their primitive boats and rafts, the sea has been a source of adventure, travel, exploration, and glory. Countless vessels have traveled the seas-ships of all shapes and sizes-carrying hopes and dreams, conquerors and pilgrims, traders and explorers. Their names and their stories, carried down through history, remain as vibrant and alive as the people who sailed them. Patrick O'Brien profiles twenty of the world's greatest ships, including the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria; the Mayflower; Blackbeard's Queen Anne's Revenge; the Bounty; "Old Ironsides"; the Amistad; the Monitor; the Titanic; and a fleet of others. These are ships that have made their mark through triumph, through tragedy, or sometimes simply by being in the right place at the right time. Patrick O'Brien's in-depth research and unparalleled skill with a paintbrush bring them to life on the page. Climb aboard and experience some of the magic and excitement that made these ships the greatest in maritime history.

Genres: History, Picture Books, Nonfiction

40 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2001

About the author

Patrick O'Brien has been a full-time illustrator and artist since 1985. His clients have included National Geographic, The Discovery Channel, and the Smithsonian. His art has appeared in magazines and newspapers, on posters and greeting cards, and even on billboards.

Patrick is the author and illustrator of twelve picture books for children. These are mostly non-fiction books about things like knights, pirates, ships, and dinosaurs, although he has done a couple of science-ficition books about dinosaurs in space.

In 2003 Patrick began creating oil paintings of maritime scenes. In 2010 the U.S. Naval Academy Museum mounted an exhibition featuring twenty-eight of his maritime paintings. In 2012, The National Maritime Historical Society awarded O’Brien with their Distinguished Service Award for his body of artwork. See www.PatrickOBrienStudio.com

Patrick teaches part-time in the illustration department at The Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, MD.

Reviews

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been fascinated by the appearance of old sailing ships. Sailing on these ships sounds so exotic; the reality, I'm sure, was much less so. Still, reading about the great sailing vessels and other famous seagoing ships is fun. The inside cover and facing page has a to scale rendering of all the ships in the book; some are so tiny; some are so huge! The book also has information about where some of these ships are now. The watercolor and gouache illustrations are great.

[GradenG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

[Debra Millan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features seventeen of the world’s most prestigious ships and their Captains. The history of the selected vessels is presented in chronological order beginning with the Viking Gokstad ship from 1880 to the Enterprise aircraft carrier launched in 1960. Each ship is featured on a two page spread. One page contains the written history of the ship and Captain, while the other page is an elaborate painting of the vessel. I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed reading this book.

[Rose]

387.2 OBr