Page de couverture de Launching Liberty

Launching Liberty

The Epic Race to Build the Ships that Took America to War

 Aperçu

1 mois d'essai gratuit à Audible Standard

8,99 $/mois à la fin de l’essai. Annulation à tout moment.
Essayer pour 0,00 $
Autres options d’achat

Launching Liberty

Auteur(s): Doug Most
Narrateur(s): Chris Henry Coffey
Essayer pour 0,00 $

8,99 $/mois après 30 jours. Annulable en tout temps

Acheter pour 33,29 $

Acheter pour 33,29 $

À propos de cet audio

 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. Forces armées Guerres et conflits Ingénierie Militaire Guerre Sous-marin U-Boat Franklin D. Roosevelt Famille Roosevelt
Tout
Les plus pertinents
Was surprised to learn how sophisticated ship building was during WWII, especially the speed. The engineering decisions were, for the most part, ahead of their time (though be sure to listen to the epilogue). I finally understood who there were so many photos of women smashing champagne on the keels of boats from this era. It was also interesting to learn about the employee health plans of the day.

Interesting

Un problème est survenu. Veuillez réessayer dans quelques minutes.