The great age of Mediterranean passenger liners begins in earnest in the 1920s when the Italians built their first big ships, such as the Augustus, Saturnia and Conte Grande. Then, in the 1930s, things grew more exciting with the creation of the superliners Rex and Conte di Savoia. The book then concentrates on the 1950s and '60s as Italy built a huge post- war fleet and France, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Israel commissioned their biggest ships yet. Some were new- builds, like Israel's Shalom, France's Bretagne, Portugal's Vera Cruz and Spain's Cabo San Roque; others were converted, sometimes lavishly refitted ships with fascinating histories. Italy's former Franca 'C', a converted freighter, still lives on, having reached her 100th birthday. AUTHOR: Wiilliam H. Miller has written some 85 books on passenger ships and he is an acknowledged world expert in his field. He has received the National Maritime History Award in the US, the Silver Riband Award, and he created the passenger Ships Database for the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. He has appeared in numerous documentaries and news broadcasts and he is a frequent guest lecturer aboard cruise ships. SELLING POINTS: . Latest in the successful series, looking at great passenger liners by nationality . Mediterranean region has a fascinating maritime history . Featuring unpublished photographs and a stunning colour section . Fascinating histories, from sleek, innovative new builds like Giulio Cesare, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to converted ships such as the Irpinia, Anna 'C' and Fairsea 120 b/w , 50 col illustrations