Over the years so many of them have sailed before our eyes: since 1929, some 2600 Sparkman & Stephens yachts of various rigs and descriptions. These triumphant Rangers and Lightnings and Intrepids have, at various times, and for good reason, stirred national pride. But they also represent-these Sparkman & Stephens winners of the Bermuda Race and the Faslnet, of the Whitbread, of races from New Zealand to the Mediterranean-high points of what has become a truly international sport. Within the pages of this long-awaited volume, the authors have sought to set forth some 100 of the most beautiful, most beloved S&S vessels, whose designs range across a surprisingly wide are; including not just sleek and powerfuI ocean racers, but everything from productian one-designs to customized mega-yachts. Here the boat is hero; qualiry of design the theme. With each selected yacht, the authors have suggested why that design was of special importance, either because of a technical breakthrough it made, because of trophies won or longevity, or simply because of the pleasure given by its lines to the observing eye. Interviews with and remembrances of the Stephens' brothers and their successors have served as the authors' guides for most of these boat biographies. For others, owners and sailing rivals of the yachts have been tapped for their recollections. Subtly, the case for superiority has been made in the case of each boat, although the authors admit that ultimately the final criterion for selection is quite subjective. Although no single volume, however capacious, could distill the essential elements of yachting in the twentieth century, the wonderfully detailed text and exhaustively (and beautifully) illustrated presentation of these selected significant Sparkman & Stephens designs provides an exceptionally revealing portrait of the evolution both of yacht design during the twentieth century and of racing and sailing practices.