I bought this book as visual reference for a film project involving a merchant ship. Lots of photographs here tracing practical ship forms (merchant and passenger liners) from the early twentieth century to today. I confess my five stars are based on my affection for these photos, but the text is great, too. As the author says, this is a field of architecture that deserves more documentation. Ships don't last as long as buildings, but what a rich, timeless subject for design!