| Title | : | Grand Ambition: An Extraordinary Yacht, the People Who Built It, and The Millionaire Who Can't Really Afford It |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1416576002 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781416576006 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 256 |
| Publication | : | First published March 5, 2013 |
DOUG VON ALLMEN, a self-made man who grew up in a landlocked state dreaming of the ocean, was poised to build a 187-foot yacht that would cost $40 million. Lady Linda would not be among the very largest of the burgeoning fleet of oceangoing palaces, but Von Allmen vowed that it would be the best one ever made in the United States. Nothing would be ordinary. The interior walls would be made from rare species of burl wood, the floors paved with onyx and exotic types of marble, the furniture custom made, and the art specially commissioned.
But the 2008 economic crisis changed everything. Von Allmen’s lifestyle suddenly became unaffordable. Then it got desperate to reverse his losses, he fell for an audacious Ponzi scheme. Would Von Allmen be able to complete Lady Linda ? Would the shipyard and its one thousand employees survive the financial meltdown?
The divide between the very rich and everyone else had never been greater, yet the livelihoods of the workers, some of them illegal immigrants, and the yacht owners were inextricably intertwined. In a sweeping, high-stakes narrative, the critically acclaimed author of The Proving Ground and Hooked weaves Von Allmen’s story together with those of the men and women who are building his yacht. As the pursuit of opulence collides with the reality of economic decline, everyone involved in the massive project is forced to rethink the meaning of the American Dream.
Grand Ambition: An Extraordinary Yacht, the People Who Built It, and The Millionaire Who Can't Really Afford It Reviews
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Really interesting in the beginning - thought it would have more information about why the owner, but mainly focused on the yacht building process in general. Two complaints:
1. he wanted everyone to cooperate so he didn't take any sides or agree with anyone so it was kinda reporting he said, she said without then either choosing a side or showing facts that backed one opinion as being correct. I guess I expected a more investigative approach.
2. He was very detailed oriented and focused in the beginning, but the ending was like he either ran out of time or had to meet his deadline. We were left with a very sketchy last chapter and ending to the book. -
I am not a boat person, and this is not a book about boats. Nor is it a "travel" book like the cover says. It's a unique view of how the world is connected with welders in Louisiana, sheikhs in the MIddle East, woodcrafters in Australia, politicians, bankers. Just fascinating.
I know one could easily make fun of the indolent rich and their $50 million dollar yachts, but it's a fascinating world that supplies livelihoods, and the opportunity to be creative. I'm beginning to think it's better than rich blokes meddling in politics.
Anyway, I'm glad I stumbled on this book in the library. I'm glad the editors took a chance on this idea for a book, and really glad he stumbled on the complexities that the world economic crisis exposed as the construction of this yacht was underway. -
Pretty cool story and a fascinating peek at the lives of the super-rich. But overall, could have been much better.
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A glimpse into a world rarely seen. This is a story of scale. From the welders and pipefitters to the yacht designers and owners, each link in the chain provides scale to all the others. Just when you're sure there can be no more excess at the level of 40 million dollar pleasure palaces, say hello to yachts worth TEN TIMES as much. A truly fascinating look at how the wealthy live and what it takes to keep them there. The additional narrative on how boats of this scale are constructed one weld at a time is mind boggling. A well written chronicle of celebrity status on the high seas. I couldn't put it down.
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Interesting book on all involved in the building of a yacht during the most recent financial crisis. Lower rating is probably based on two facts that are not fair to the author - one being that the owner of the yacht is extremely irritating individual who fits the often thought of mold of someone with two much money all to well, and a somewhat weak ending - would have preferred seeing the owner go to jail or maybe go down with the ship on his maiden voyage. Guess thats why I prefer fiction - better endings.
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Tracy Kidder set the gold standard with HOUSE, but Knecht does an almost comparable job in terms of the building of a VERY expensive yacht. A world beyond belief where millions are spent in the blink of an eye, and stupid Republicans rant about illegal immigrants, totally unaware of the fact that just the people they accuse of being shiftless are working on their luxury boats under very hazardous circumstances.
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This one was a decent book. Not super great, but it did hold my attention. This is totally not my world, though. I can't even imagine the cost to build one of these things, much less the upkeep on them. I think one of the guys said that maintaining and staffing his yacht cost him 85% of his total expenses every year. Wow. Even if I had the money, there's no way I'd have the desire. Glad I can send this one back to the library, instead of having to pay for it all...
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Interesting story that brings larger questions of politics and economy into the mix. Also includes fascinating details about the making of yachts. To review for Shelf Awareness.
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Enjoyable insights into the worlds of both yacht builders and owners, two very different planes of existence.
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a great reas
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Was an interesting book. Great details on all the work that goes into building a yacht; never would have known all this unless I had read this book. The concept of money was rather interesting in the book. How differently the spending of it is viewed by all the different people involved in the process of building this yacht was presented made it interesting as well.
