Andrew Britton – författare

Abstract economic theory may be timeless and potentially universal in its application, but macroeconomics has to be seen in its historical context. The nature of the policy regime, the behaviour of the economy and the beliefs of professional economists all interact, and influence each other. This short historical account of monetary regimes since 1900 shows how the role of policy has changed, and how this has related to experience of inflation and the real economy, as well as to changes in political philosophies. The narrative concentrates on developments in America, Europe and Japan from the era of the classical gold standard, via the era of policy intervention and reduced faith in the market to the present 'neo-liberal' regimes. The 'grand narrative' of the century is a journey 'to Utopia and back'. It is argued that no school of macroeconomics is right for all time; different theoretical models may be appropriate, for different periods and regimes.

This history book tells the story of RMS Queen Elizabeth, the ship which, along with her running mate Queen Mary, successfully worked Cunard's transatlantic service for much of the twentieth century. She was launched in September 1938, the largest passenger liner built at the time and for many years after. Entering service as a troopship in the Second World War, she had a successful career before retiring in 1968, after which she was sold to a Hong Kong businessman with plans to convert her into a floating university. But it was not to be and she was capsized in a mysterious fire in the harbour in 1972, a bizarre and unbecoming end for one of Cunard's most faithful servants. Andrew Britton delves into his comprehensive maritime collection to present a wealth of unpublished photography and ephemera, aerial photography and even Queen Elizabeth's original purchase receipt, to cover every detail of this historic liner.

This colourful history tells the story of Cunard’s RMS Queen Mary, who along with her running mate Queen Elizabeth covered the transatlantic route from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg, the British answer to the German and French superliners. She was launched in May 1936 and immediately won the coveted Blue Riband, winning it again in 1938, before she served as a troopship in the war. She then carried on plying the Atlantic route with Queen Elizabeth until the jet age changed the world again and she was retired, now preserved as a floating museum and restaurant in Long Beach, California. Andrew Britton presents a wealth of unpublished photographic material and ephemera from his unparalleled collection to tell the story of this historic liner, including rare wartime views, shots of her ‘grey ghost’ paintwork, unique behind the scenes photographs, from the air shots, interior views and a wide selection of menus, log books, timetables, tickets and much more besides. Even including captain’s invitations, this superlative book offers a captivating trip through the history of this great liner.

This colourful history covers the SS United States’ active service from 1952 to 1969 when she dominated the seas of Atlantic, sweeping all rivals before her. The astonishing operational capacity of this national icon of the United States, with her red, white and blue funnels, sleek streamlined hull and silver coated fittings, was shrouded in secrecy in case she was ever required to be converted to a troop carrier. Andrew Britton presents a revealing insight into the record-breaking liner, how she performed in the secret sea trials and her epic maiden voyage. Compiled from a wealth of previously unpublished material, drawn from the author’s own unparalleled collection and others from around the world, this special commemorative book is packed with historical colour photography from both sides of the Atlantic, including the maiden voyage departure from New York. This evocative book will be a must for all shipping enthusiasts and is sure to enhance the fine reputation of the preserved SS United States for future generations.

New York Harbor: where the grandest, fastest and most celebrated luxury liners gather and have gathered since the nineteenth century. With Luxury Liner Row, and being one of the largest natural harbours in the world, this is certainly a special place for all those that consider themselves shipping enthusiasts, or even for those that just enjoy the finer things in life. Here Andrew Britton uses his unrivalled collection of ephemera, photographs and illustrations to present New York Harbor as it has never been seen before. See into a bygone age when this was the busiest ocean liner port in the world and Manhattan saw the arrival of such greats as Olympic, Ile de France, Liberté and the Cunard Queens.

Southampton is one of the most important maritime centres in the UK – ‘the Gateway to the World’, as it is often described. The docks is the cornerstone of the city, both past and present. Here Andrew Britton explores this rich history. From four-funnelled liners and flying boats to power stations and refineries, this volume depicts all that happened in the docks, the living heartbeat of the city. Rare old photographs, previously unpublished behind-the-scenes shots of the dock at work, of captain’s logbooks and tickets – even some ships’ menus –all evoke the authentic flavour of dock life. Southampton Docks is a real treat for anyone interested in the city and its maritime heritage.

In the post-war era, TS Bremen was one of the most popular liners operating across the Atlantic – but she had a remarkable wartime history. Built for the French as the SS Pasteur, in 1940 she made a dramatic escape in the face of invasion, carrying 200 tons of French gold bullion reserves to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Requisitioned by the British, she became a hospital troopship and played a major support role in the Battle of El Alamein. Indeed, Charles de Gaulle claimed that Pasteur’s contribution ‘significantly helped bring . . . Hitler to his ultimate end’. Her sale in 1956 to North German Lloyd Line as their final flagship – refitted and renamed Bremen – sparked protest in France, but Bremen sailed on unperturbed, now the pride of the German nation. Though she had been celebrated as one of the safest liners ever built, Filipinas Saudi 1, as she was then known, sank in 1980 in the Indian Ocean. It was a sad ending to a life filled with glamour, excitement and danger. Here Andrew Britton tells the story of this distinguished and much-loved vessel in intimate and colourful detail.