The '50s still saw the building of large passenger vessels and their service on traditional routes. However, by the end of the decade the numbers launched had steadily decreased and the dominance of the aeroplane had become established. The mid '60s onwards brought a change since the large liners coming into service were gradually being used mainly for cruising, for example the famous Canberra and Oriana of P & O covered in this volume. The traditional passenger routes have also altered and become centred on Africa, Asia and the Pacific. The ship of the present and for the years ahead has become the cruise liner, and the first part of the '70s has seen a renewed increase in the numbers launched and on order. Of growing importance is the new concept of the very large car ferries often exceeding 10,000 GRT and providing an indication of the increased mobility of people in this present age. In line with the previous four volumes, the technical and historical data of each entry is clearly presented after careful research by the author. At the end of this volume is a detailed list of all those builders and owners whose names have appeared in more abbreviated form in the first four volumes of the series. . Arnold Kludas, currently working in the library of the Deutsche Schiffahrtsmusaum, Bremerhaven, was formerly a technical engineer in a Hamburg shipyard and has also been the mariti me consultant for a publishing firm in Germany. His constant concern for accuracy and updating of material in each volume has earned him well-deserved praise for the English editions of his series which will prove an invaluable collection for all true ship lovers.