Examines the life and career of William Francis Gibbs (1886-1967), the Philadelphia native whose lifelong ambition was to build the biggest, fastest, safest liner ever.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Preface : The way it was -- Book I : The man and the vision -- Size, luxury and speed -- Escaping the rich boys -- Mauretania -- J.P. Morgan's Titanic -- Pipe dreamers at work -- Prizes of war -- A giant lives again -- The parvenu -- Mrs. William Francis Gibbs -- Malolo -- A German sea monster -- Death by fire -- FDR's new Navy -- The Queen and the America -- A full measure of toil ; Book II : Building the dream -- A very pleasing appearance -- Primacy on the seas -- The might sweet baby rises -- American moderne -- Turn her up -- Crewing up the big ship -- Truman on the attack -- The new sea queen arrives -- A very fast lady -- Masters of victory -- The Halcyon years -- Trouble ashore -- No time to say good-bye -- Secrets told -- Epilogue.