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2nd out of 28 books
—
9 voters
Titanic Survivor: The Memoirs of Violet Jessop, Stewardess
A bestseller both in the U.S. and U.K. now available in paperback. This biography succeeds due to its unique authenticity and wrenching firsthand account of that unforgettable tragedy. Jessop served as a stewardess for first-class passengers aboard the TITANIC, and, four years later, was a nurse on the ill-fated hospital ship BRITANNIC when it struck a mine and sank to the...more
Paperback, 238 pages
Published
March 25th 1999
by The History Press Ltd
(first published October 25th 1997)
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The most amazing thing about this story is Violet Jessop, not only was she on board the Titanic sank but she was also on the Britannic 4 years later as a nurse. She was also on the third ship the Olympic when it collided with another ship.
She sounds like a fascinating woman, who after a long hard life had a great deal of experience.
Have to admit though if I was about to go on a cruise I'd make sure she wasn't on board.
She sounds like a fascinating woman, who after a long hard life had a great deal of experience.
Have to admit though if I was about to go on a cruise I'd make sure she wasn't on board.
Thank God. Thank God she survived not one, not two, but three ship wrecks. When I listen to her describe the sinking of the Titanic while she watched from a boat bobbing in the water next to it, it gives me a whole different perspective than just what writers write about it. She also introduces you to her people on board these ships and you can finally connect with the people who LIVED on these ships. These ships were their homes.
But the description of the sinking of the Britannic is what is ho...more
But the description of the sinking of the Britannic is what is ho...more
Seriously, how many times can you be on a ship that sinks? This is the diary of a woman who was a ship stewardess and gives an interesting look at the world at that time. One bit that fascinated me was that she learned when the Titanic sank how much she missed her toothbrush after they were rescued. The next time she was on a sinking ship, she got her toothbrush before she went to the lifeboats. Isn't that so typical of life...it's the little details that seem to get you.
Violet Jessop was an ocean liner stewardess and nurse who achieved wordwide fame by surviving the disastrous sinkings of both the RMS Titanic and the HMHS Britannic in 1912 and 1916 respectively, as well as RMS Olympic collision on October 20, 1910. The book Titanic Survivor contains some passages of Violet Jessop memoir written in 1934, originally named Neptune's Greenroom. Violet Jessop life story is indeed a mesmerizing one and makes up for an amazing tale of endurance and survival. In additi...more
The "Titanic Survivor" provided a rare glimpse into the Titanic's sinking through the eyes of one lucky survivor, Violet Jessop. I was surprised to learn that not only was Violet Jessop a "Titanic Survivor," but she also survived the sinking of the Britannia a few years later. Until this book, I thought the famed 'Unsinkable' Molly Brown was the only woman to claim that honor. Violet's memoirs were written not long after Titanic, but were rejected by publishing houses! What fools! Found after he...more
Really it's 3 1/2. Violet Jessop was a stewardness on the Titanic's first and last voyage. She only takes one chapter for that event, but you won't be disappointed. These are Miss Jessop's memoirs, tho it seems she left a lot out, like a failed marriage and she is very discret about the love of her life. She was born in Argentina which she describes beautifully. Her parents were emigrants. After her beloved father dies the family moves to England. From there Violet goes into service on luxury li...more
Bought as a tree book new off Amazon - it had a blueish cover, later finding it at half price used on ebay.
I enjoyed the book so the extra cost was not wasted.
Violet Jessop was a Titanic Survivor' and the book includes an exciting description of the sinking though this is only a small part of the book other parts of Violet Jessop's life were interesting.
Her childhood in Argentina was affected by illness and the illnesses of other siblings. Her later years were spent at a convent school in Kent...more
I enjoyed the book so the extra cost was not wasted.
Violet Jessop was a Titanic Survivor' and the book includes an exciting description of the sinking though this is only a small part of the book other parts of Violet Jessop's life were interesting.
Her childhood in Argentina was affected by illness and the illnesses of other siblings. Her later years were spent at a convent school in Kent...more
Random discount book I picked up that had the most amazing true story about a woman who worked on (and survived) all 3 great ocean liners. Unbelievable ending.
I was a little skeptical when first approaching this book, because seeing as it was republished in '97 the whole Leonardo Dicaprio Titanic thing was in full swing, so I was thinking that possibly the producers would manipulate the memoir to serve as a promotional tool (I know, my mind works in strange ways).
Thankfully I was wrong. The memoir barely concerns itself with the Titanic (as you read it, you quickly discover you're reading about Violet Jessop's life at sea, not the great unsinkable), d...more
Thankfully I was wrong. The memoir barely concerns itself with the Titanic (as you read it, you quickly discover you're reading about Violet Jessop's life at sea, not the great unsinkable), d...more
I thought this was a great book. It is about an Irish woman who as a young girl started working as a stewardess on an ocean liner and ended up with a 40 year career. She describes how she survived the night of the Titanic sinking and 4 years later when the Britannic started sinking she couldn't believe this was happening again. Her quick wit, sense of humor, easy manner and courage are evident as she recounts many other stories about passengers and her life at sea. Some are funny and some are sa...more
An awesome book! Following Violet along on her journey in carrying for her family and what lead her to be on the Titanic as well as the Brittanic was extroidinary! She survived the horrorsof theTitanic disaster only later to sail on Titanic's sister ship Brittanic, whip was converted into a hospital ship during, I believe, the first World War, Violet's survival from the Britannic was much more heart-pounding and life threatening. I won't say more than that. I don't want to spoil anything.
Had a difficult time getting into this book, but was determined to finish and glad I did - the long awaited parts about Violet's experience during the Titanic and the Britannic disasters were actually just a small part of the saga of her life and came late in the story. Since most of her time as a steward on the big ships was during the Victorian era, much of the writing (and even the editor's comments) were in the language of the time, which was sometimes heavy. It was easy to get bogged down o...more
I really enjoyed reading this biography, but I knew before I read it that the memoirs were of her whole life, not just of the four days she worked on the Titanic. I can understand that promoting this book as if it is all about the Titanic would leave some people disappointed.
Violet Jessop was cursed to live an interesting life.
Violet Jessop was cursed to live an interesting life.
The title says it all. Jessop was a stewardess on both of these liners and survived the sinkings as well. (You'd think after that she'd look for another line of work). Her writing style was actually quite engaging and opened one's eyes to what the life of a employee of the White Star Line was like.
Amazing book by someone who survived both the Titanic and Brittanic sinkings. I think it would be rare these days to find someone who had put 20 years into working for the cruise lines and worked for all that time as a stewardess. A demanding yet sometimes rewarding job.
I read this during my Titanic phase, which occurred after seeing the James Cameron mega-hit film. Fascinating that a woman who worked for the White Star Line had the misfortune of being on not one, but two, ships that sank. Also covers her years after.
A bit difficult to read at times, but very interesting. The editor was a bit annoying at times, breaking in to explain details he knew, but where Violet's actual memoir rambled a bit, the editor could also be quite helpful. Fascinating (albeit brief) first hand accountings of the Titanic and Britannic disasters.
I wasn't too keen on this book, the spelling and language had been Americanised. I found Edith Haisman's 1995 book 'A Lifetime on the Titanic' a much better read. Edith's story was very moving.
An amazing life and career from a strong and independent soul. She had witnessed and been involved in so much that so little would have or will ever be apart of. An inspiring read!
If you want to know about the life of a liner stewardess/maid, this is your book. If you want to know about the Titanic, there is only one chapter and it doesn't offer anything new. I was bored.
I only read her accounts of Titanic and Britannic, but it was an incredible account. A first hand story of this miraculous woman's survival, twice.
Great memoir of Violet's career as a stewardess with various ships. She grew up in Argentina. The Titanic part was short but interesting.
Violet Jessop is a true survivor! A survivor of more than just the Titanic she also survived the sinking of the Britannic. Not to mention surviving illness and injuries. She is a remarkable woman and her memoirs leave you wanting to know more a bout her.
Violet spent too much time whining about how she felt she should have been compensated for her ordeal.
It was AMAZING! I can not believe she was in three ship disasters! She was courageous.
Excellent book! This memoir is truly phenomenal and not just because of the Titanic stories. Violet's life was extremely unique and this book is a fantastic read!
Very interesting historical view of the times then.
Absolutely loved this book. What a fabulous lady Violet was. The only thing I didn't like about this book was John Maxtone-Graham's comments throughout the book. I would have preferred just Violet's memoirs without somebody trying to get on the bandwagon.
Very interesting, not all that well written, but she was a stewardess, not an author.....
Brilliant! An extremely engaging and well written first person account of Violet's childhood and career as a stewardess. It is fascinating to hear her tell of the two ship sinkings she survived. The editor's comments are for the most part unnecessary. I loved this book.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| I wonder if she was ever banned from sailing on another boat? | 6 | 9 | Apr 26, 2013 12:24am |
Jul 23, 2012 04:42am