Building the Titanic

[Paul Lee]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1844425401/ref=pd_ir_b/202-7747151-2392603

- it has at least one error: a misidentified Father Browne picture.

Paul

 

[Michael H. Standart]

Interesting. Is it any good otherwise?

 

[Paul Lee]

When I saw that glaring error I didn't bother buying it. It seems to be a re-hash. YMMV though.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>When I saw that glaring error I didn't bother buying it.<<

Things like that tend to leave me with a bad impression as well. I tend to look a bit deeper if I have the time. If it's just one gaff...well...things like that happen. Even the best of them have a few. However, when I see a persistant pattern of it, I'm a lot more likely to leave it on the booksellor's shelf.

 

[Fiona Nitschke]

Building the Titanic: An Epic Tale of Modern Engineering and Human Endeavour
Rod Green
Carlton Books Ltd, 2005
ISBN 1844425401

I saw this new book in a local bookshop over the weekend and was wondering if anyone had read it and would offer an opinion. Quite frankly, it's a lot of money even allowing for it being a hardback of significant dimensions. There's also only so much one can read while sitting in the aisles.

Michael Tennaro lists a description of the book, but no review as it's not been published in the US yet. See New Book Alerts for 5 July 2005.

The one brief user comment on Amazon.co.uk suggests it isn't much chop: Olympic/Titanic photo mix ups, not much in the way of new images, the all too usual. Quite sad really, as Carlton Books do put out some fine and well illustrated art, design and history books.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

I've been aware of it, but after reading the same review you did, I've been reluctant to touch it. Why bother with mass market pap when I have the far better Shipbuilder specials at my beck and call on my bookshelf?

 

[david wilson]

Last night I was watching 60 minutes.There was a segment on shipbuilding in south korea.The presenter reckons that the Daewoo yard turn out 270 of vlcc's or super container ships in one year & each yard worker is paid us$50,000 per annum.What standard of living would this salary allow the average us citizen?
regards.
dw.

 

[David F. Smith]

$50,000 in US dollars? I live very comfortably on less than that. Not extravagantly, but comfortably. I would think that $50,000 in US dollars would let you live like a King in South Korea.

 

[Bob Godfrey]

The most reliable means of comparing living standards is by reference to the Gross National Income (GNI - formally known as GNP) per capita for each country. The league tables tend to swap positions from year to year, but Luxembourg generally tops the list, followed by Switzerland, Japan, Norway and the US in 5th position with around $33,000. The UK is 7th with around $25,000. The US and UK have fallen back a bit in recent years, but despite some wild fluctuations South Korea has rocketed from less than $100 in the early '60s to around $17,000 in recent years. Might well overtake us all within the next decade. In the meantime, move to Luxembourg!
.

 

[Jesse D O'Neill]

David W

Where I live in PA 50,000 is Considered slightly above average for the normal working class job, I am not sure about other states though, although I have been told that incomes are lower down south (below Mason Dixon Line), however when I was down there I noticed that the Products and other stuff for sale was considerably less. so i would say it depends on what part of the US your talking about.

 

[david wilson]

Thanks everybody for the input.I think I will brush up on my Korean & dust off the old toolbox.Korea here we come!
regards.
dw

 

[david wilson]

Nobody took me up on the 270 ships per year!This equates to a ship every 11/2 days.H&W in the 70's were struggling to do one in a year.
Have the Koreans discovered the secrets of the ancients e g the pyramids,stonehenge or the standing stones on easter island?On 60 minutes they certainly didn't give any secrets away.
H&W had 2x840t gantry cranes,samson & goliath but the amount of steel & welding involved in the lifting arrangement was astronomical.
It's like comparing the present space project with star trek voyager,there has to be a better way.
regards.
dw.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

David, for whatever it's worth, you can read a transcipt of the story HERE. If this story is true...and I have my doubts...then that's one helluva production system they have set up there.

 

[david wilson]

Michael,thanks for that transcript,I was starting to wonder if I was dreaming when I was watching the show.I'm like yourself,I have my doubts.I wouldn't believe 27 in a year,nevermind 270.
Maybe Jean Luc Picard donated them his replicater!!!
regards.
dw.

 

[Dave Gittins]

I think if you read the transcript correctly, the 270 refers to all Korea.

It's only 60 Minutes anyway!