It is impossible to understand the Titanic without appreciating the broader historical context in which it was created. This includes the rise of the White Star Line and its competitors in the decades leading up to the ship’s construction; intense Anglo-German rivalry; British anxieties over the “American peril” as foreign capital increasingly controlled British shipping companies; and the rapid advances in shipbuilding and maritime technology. This definitive reference volume explores the lead-up to the construction of Olympic and Titanic , offering a detailed, step-by-step account of the design and planning process. It examines the financial, logistical, and political challenges faced by their builders, traces the successes and setbacks of Olympic ’s maiden season in 1911 and 1912, and provides a clear summary of Titanic ’s tragic final voyage. Drawing on extensive primary-source research and presenting a wealth of previously unpublished data, this book is both an invaluable reference and an essential guide to understanding a pivotal moment in maritime and industrial history.