The Story

John Kennedy takes us back to the beginning, when steamboats were seen as noisy, dangerous toys. He follows the inventors like Robert Fulton, who fought skepticism to get their 'fire-boats' on the water. The book tracks the technology's spread from quiet rivers to the wild, stormy Atlantic. It wasn't a smooth ride. We read about boiler explosions, fierce competition between shipping companies, and the epic race to build bigger, faster, and safer ships. This is the story of how steam power conquered the oceans, shrinking the world and kickstarting global trade and travel as we know it.

Why You Should Read It

Kennedy does something great here: he makes engineering feel like adventure. You get caught up in the personal battles and near-misses. It's not just about machines; it's about the visionaries who bet their fortunes on them and the sailors who braved the new technology. The book paints a clear picture of a world on the cusp of something huge. You'll finish it and look at a simple ferry ride with a lot more respect, understanding the centuries of trial and error that made it possible.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves stories about innovation and real-world drama. If you enjoy biographies of inventors, tales of industrial revolution change, or even maritime adventures, you'll find a lot to love here. It's detailed enough for history fans but written with a pace that keeps general readers hooked. Think of it as the origin story for our connected world.