Launching Liberty : The Epic Race to Build the Ships That Took America to War
Language: English
Published by Simon & Schuster Aug 2025, 2025
- Hardcover
- New

Seller: AHA-BUCH GmbH, Einbeck, GermanyAHA-BUCH GmbH
AbeBooks seller since August 14, 2006
Condition: New
US$ 52.59
Quantity: 2 available
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Neuware - Out of nothing but the government’s behest, a few bold men conjured a giant ship-building industry in 1940 and launched the ships that took America to war and to victory.In 1940, the shadow of war loomed large over American life. President Roosevelt understood that it wasn’t a matter of if the United States would be pulled into battle, but when. He foresaw a "new kind of war," one that hinged on efforts at home. Long before the attack on Pearl Harbor, German U-boats were relentlessly attacking American vessels, prompting Roosevelt to launch a monumental ship-building campaign. He knew that no matter how much weaponry and how many tanks, planes and trucks America built, the "Arsenal of Democracy" would be useless unless it could be brought in massive volume, and at breakneck speed, to troops fighting overseas. Launching Liberty tells the remarkable story of how FDR partnered with private businessmen to begin the production of cargo freighters longer than a football field—ships he affectionately dubbed "ugly ducklings." These colossal Liberty Ships took over six months to build at the start of his $350 million emergency shipbuilding program, far too long. The government turned to Henry Kaiser, the man who had delivered the Boulder Dam ahead of schedule and under budget, but had never built a ship in his life. Kaiser established a network of shipyards from coast to coast and recruited tens of thousands of workers eager to contribute to the war effort. Many, particularly African Americans and women, traveled from some of the most downtrodden, rural parts of the nation to help their country and to find a better life of greater equality. As German U-boats maintained their pace of attack, Roosevelt and Kaiser initiated a bold, nationwide competition among shipyards to see who could construct ships the fastest. Driven by duty and the thrill of innovation, workers reduced the shipbuilding timeline from months to weeks and then to days. Launching Liberty is a tapestry of voices reflecting the diverse American experience of World War II. From the halls of the White House to the cramped quarters of half-finished cargo ships, we hear from naval architects, welders, nurses, engineers, daycare providers, and mothers balancing family life with the demands of wartime economy. This book uncovers the inspiring, untold stories of those who rose to the challenge during one of America’s most tumultuous times.…
Seller Inventory # 9781668017784
- Title
- Launching Liberty : The Epic Race to Build the Ships That Took America to War
- Author
- Doug Most
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster Aug 2025
- Publication year
- 2025
- Condition
- Neu
- Binding
- Buch
- Language
- English
- ISBN 10
- 1668017784
- ISBN 13
- 9781668017784
- Item weight
- 635 grams
- Dimensions
- 236x160x33 mm
.
With the shadow of war looming large over American life in 1940, President Franklin D. Roosevelt knew it wasn't a matter of if the United States would be pulled into battle, but when. He foresaw a "new kind of war," one that would demand the nation be prepared in ways like never before. America's most critical need in preparation was not drafting more soldiers or manufacturing more guns. It was building more ships that could carry enormous supplies of weapons, vehicles, medical gear, food, and clothing to US and allied troops around the world. One ship could feed three million men for a day—an entire fleet could sustain troops for years.
Launching Liberty tells the remarkable story of how FDR partnered with private businessmen to build 3,000 vital cargo freighters longer than a football field—ships he affectionately dubbed "ugly ducklings." To lead its emergency ship-building operation, the government turned to Henry Kaiser, who had delivered the Boulder Dam ahead of schedule and was beginning to revolutionize healthcare for workers—but who had never built a ship in his life. Kaiser led the way in creating a network of shipyards from coast to coast and recruited tens of thousands of workers eager to help protect their country and carry America to victory on board the Liberty ships.
Launching Liberty is a tapestry of voices reflecting the diverse American experience of World War II. From the halls of the White House to the cramped quarters of half-finished cargo ships, we hear from naval architects, welders, nurses, engineers, daycare providers, and mothers balancing family life with the demands of wartime economy. As union tensions rose, tired prejudices toward working women and people of color came crashing down, giving rise to Rosie the Riveter and her cousin Wendy the Welder. This book uncovers the inspiring, untold stories of those who rose to the challenge, to protect not only their freedom, but their country's democracy.
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|---|---|---|
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