Grand Ambition

Grand Ambition
G. Bruce Knecht (Author)

Download: $12.99 (as of 03/02/2013 03:10 PST)
2 Used! | New! from $12.99 (as of 03/02/2013 03:10 PST)

Nature Travel

G. Bruce Knecht, former reporter for The Wall Street Journal and author of The Proving Ground and Hooked, describes the creation of an outsized yacht in a sweeping narrative centered on the men and women who made it happen. Doug Von Allmen, a self-made man who grew up in a landlocked state dreaming of the ocean, was poised to build his fifth yacht, his biggest yet—a 187-foot behemoth that would cost $40 million. Lady Linda’s interior walls were to be made from rare species of burl wood, her floors paved with onyx and exotic types of marble, her furniture custom-made, and her art specially commissioned. But the economic crisis changed everything. Like many others, Von Allmen suddenly realized that he could no longer afford his lifestyle. Then it got worse: desperate to reverse his losses, he fell for an audacious Ponzi scheme. Would Von Allmen be able to finish the yacht? And if he did, would he be able to keep it? In Southern Mississippi, blue collar laborers are artisans pressed on with their work. The divide between the very rich and everyone else had never been greater, but the livelihoods of the workers and yacht owners were inextricably intertwined. Even $10-an-hour employees knew that no one was ordering yachts like Lady Linda anymore. Knecht transports readers to a world of high seas luxury and ostentation that already seems like a bygone era. But like Tracy Kidder’s House, Grand Ambition takes us deep inside the building process in a narrative that is ultimately focused on the individuals who piece together the yacht.

• Rank: #7076 in eBooks
• Published on: 2013-03-05
• Released on: 2013-03-05
• Format: Kindle eBook
• Number of items: 1

Description #1 by eBay - learco:

This book is guaranteed to be a true First Edition and First Printing copy and have authentic signature. This is a wonderful opportunity to get this terrific book. It is "Grand Ambition"by Lisa Michaels and this is the hard to find TRUE First Edition and First Printing and this copy is HAND-SIGNED by Michaels! See picture of the signature above. This is a very, very good read, and, by far is one of Michaels's very BEST! "Beautfilly nuanced. The intersection of intimate, personal, day-to-day liv

Description #2 by CDS Books and DVDS:

In Lisa Michaels's enthralling debut novel, she weaves the tale of two young newlyweds, Glen and Bessie Hyde, who set out in 1928 to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon. The pair hoped to set a record: Bessie would be the first woman to negotiate that treacherous stretch of the Colorado River. When they failed to appear at their destination on time, Glen's father mounted a desperate search to find them. Based on the few known facts of a true story, "Grand Ambition" contemplates our need for risk and danger, and treats with great complexity the power of youthful passion. Reading Group Guide included. *Author: Michaels, Lisa *Binding Type: Paperback *Number of Pages: 288 *Publication Date: 2002/04/17 *Language: English *Dimensions: 8.34 x 5.58 x 0.63 inches

Description #3 by Paddle.com:

An absorbing affecting and beautifully written novel.-New York Times Book ReviewIn Lisa Michaelss enthralling debut novel she weaves the tale of two young newlyweds Glen and Bessie Hyde who set out in 1928 to run the rapids of the Grand Canyon. The pair hoped to set a record Bessie would be the first woman to negotiate that treacherous stretch of the Colorado River. When they failed to appear at their destination on time Glens father mounted a desperate search to find them. Based on the few known facts of a true story Grand Ambition contemplates our need for risk and danger and treats with great complexity the power of youthful passion. Reading Group Guide included.