The Canadian Nautical Research Society gave an Honourable Mention to Eileen Reid Marcil?s The PS Royal William of Quebec: The First True Transatlantic Steamer in the Keith Matthews Best Book Award 2021 Announcement. Wide ranging scholarship to put it mildly on this vessel ... The book is well illustrated, and attractively packaged. The story is told well? This is a good-looking, well-produced book. I very much enjoyed the plethora of visuals included by the author. It tells a good story. The main point of the book is to address the controversy over which steamship deserves the title: first true transatlantic steamer. We must also recognize the work of the publisher, Baraka Books of Montreal, for the production values.
The information Eileen Reid Marcil presents about steamers and the people involved in their history is fascinating, while the many beautiful watercolours, photographs, and illustrations make her book a visual pleasure. Beverly Tallon, Canada?s History>