Normandie: Queen of the Seas

This history of the French ocean liner Normandie commemorates the 50th anniversary of its maiden voyage. The magnificent ship, with its Art Deco interior and star-studded passenger lists, had only a brief life. After seven years, a fire on board caused irreparable damage, after which the Normandie was scrapped. The authors discuss the artists who designed and decorated the liner, the engineers who built it, the celebrities who traveled on the vessel and the galas held, then the Normandie's demise. Photos of ship and passengers, paintings inspired by the illustrious vessel and a final chapter on Normandiemania (posters, ashtrays, boat models and ship-like flagons of a ""Normandie'' perfume created by Patou) round out this nostalgic celebration of the ``Queen of the Seas.'' November