Review by Booklist Review
Macaulay's nonfiction has enlightened many of us, explaining topics from architectural wonders to household gadgets to the human body in his classic The Way Things Work (1988). Here he offers a somewhat personal glimpse at oceanic vessels and the steam engines that powered them. In 1957, 10-year-old Macaulay and his family emigrated from Britain to the U.S., traveling on the SS United States, the fastest steamship of the day. Macaulay treats readers to a history of steam engines (and their many improvements), leading up to a detailed account of the construction of the United States, designed by engineer William Francis Gibbs. Macaulay's succinct, explanatory text propels the narrative, drawing readers into his meticulous, captioned artwork that further clarifies the discussion. The illustrations are varied (cutaway views, aerial perspectives, spot art, and full-page spreads) and often depict the artist's hand at work: building models, executing a drawing, and lifting the page to remind readers of the Macaulay family. The most amazing spread is a triple gatefold depicting the entire ship, featuring both cutaway and exterior views. Juicy tidbits (the ship was outfitted with an operating room, a morgue, and seven caskets) augment scientific and historical details, and Macaulay's memories of his own voyage add a child's perspective. Appended with an afterword, time line, and photos, this is not to be missed.--Kay Weisman Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
More than 30 years after the publication of The Way Things Work, Macaulay continues to amaze with his architect-trained eye for detail and ability to make the complex understandable. His latest demystifies steam power and its use in ships through the mid-20th century. Bookending the steamship chronicle is the story of the author's boyhood immigration from Great Britain to the U.S. in 1957 aboard the fastest transatlantic passenger steamship at the time, the SS United States. After delving into the mechanics of steam power, the narrative introduces naval architect William Francis Gibbs and details construction of Gibbs's dream ship-the same one that carried the author to his new home. The final of four chapters recollects his family's ocean crossing. Macaulay's trademark diagrammatic illustrations, with varied perspectives, cross-sections, explanatory captions, and a dose of subtle humor, offer a multilayered reading experience. Particularly impressive is a massive gatefold that offers a stunning bow-to-stern cutaway of the SS United States. A timeline, selected reading list, and archival photos accompany an afterword that entreats that "we must look back ... to see where we've been and to be reminded of our accomplishments," as it discusses a conservancy's efforts to preserve the historic vessel. Ages 10-14. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 6 Up-An in-depth informational text surveying the history of steamships, focusing on the SS United States. Master author/illustrator Macaulay combines expository and narrative nonfiction, explaining how William Francis Gibbs and his brother engineered the building of the SS United States and how his family eventually immigrated to America journeying on that very ship. The author's personal connection provides a solid foundation for the information. Macaulay's beautifully detailed illustrations illuminate the blended text, and are so engaging that they will draw in readers otherwise reluctant about the content of the book itself. An afterword and time line provide back matter that will further round out the readers' experience. VERDICT This book is a necessary addition to any collection serving middle grade readers and is perfect for collections in need of STEAM texts; a must-buy for any and all collections.-Amy McInerney, Falmouth Elementary School, ME © Copyright 2019. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Macaulay chronicles his own mid-twentieth-century immigration story in full color and a wide trim sizealong with plenty of diagrams and technical descriptions of the ship that brought his family from England to America. Macaulay tells readers that his journey had been under way for much longer than I had realizedand then proves his assertion through thoughtfully scaffolded and scrupulously researched chapters. The development of the steam engine, beginning in the eighteenth century, launches the primary narrative arc of the book. Nearly two hundred years of engineering innovation follow before readers are introduced to the life and work of ship designer William Francis Gibbs, the person responsible for the innovative and record-breaking superliner SS United States that would eventually transport a young Macaulay in 1957. An effective combination of expository text and technical illustrations conveys the construction and functionality of the United Statesmost impressively displayed through a massive double-gatefold. Macaulay concludes the book with his own recollections of crossing the Atlantic Ocean on the great ship, providing charmingly childlike memories (I stared pathetically at the windows of the bridge, hoping for an invitation to go up and try the wheel). Beyond the impressive scholarship and impeccable draftsmanship, Macaulay rounds out the reading experience with moments of humor (both written and visual), pleasingly atmospheric spreads, and a humanistic view of applied science. Back matter (absent of an index) includes an afterword, a timeline, acknowledgments, selected reading, and photographs. patrick gall September/October 2019 p.113(c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Childhood memories, as well as loads of historical and archival research, anchor a history of ocean liners from the invention of steam pumps to the magnificent SS United States.Linked by recollections of his own family's 1957 journey from the U.K. to New York aboard the United States, Macaulay traces the development of steam-powered ships from a small 1783 paddle-driven experiment to the 990-foot monster that still holds the record for the fastest Atlantic crossing by a ship of its type. Ignoring the Titanic-like tragedies, he focuses on design and engineeringmixing profile portraits of dozens of increasingly long, sleek hulls with lovingly detailed cutaway views of boilers, turbines, and power trains, structural elements being assembled (sometimes with the help of a giant authorial hand reaching down from the skies), and diagrams of decks and internal workings. All of this is accompanied by sure, lucid explanations and culminates in a humongous inside view of the United States on a multiple gatefold, with very nearly every room and cupboard labeled. Having filled in the historical highlights, the author turns to his own story with an account of the five-day voyage and his first impressions of this country that are made more vivid by reconstructed scenes and family photos. A waiter in one of the former is the only person of color in clear view, but human figures of any sort are rare throughout.Personal notes give this stirring tribute to speed, power, and technological prowess an unusually intimate air. (timeline, further reading) (Nonfiction/memoir. 11-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
