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5th out of 82 books
—
67 voters
The Discovery of the Titanic
The Discovery of the Titanic is the compelling, firsthand account of Dr. Ballard's twelve year quest to find the sunken liner. With the help of dozens of never-before-seen photographs, rare archival pictures, charts, paintings and a 25-inch "photo-mosaic" of the ship, Dr. Ballard recounts the Titanic's fateful last night and describes the moment-by-moment drama of the expe...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
October 1995
by Warner Books/Madison Press
(first published 1987)
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This book is half story of the Titanic sinking and half story of finding her again 70 or so years later. I found it fascinating and very well written. I've been a huge Titanic buff since I was in high school...long before the popular movie came out....and so have read many, many books about Titanic. This one continues to be my favorite. I've read it enough times that I had to buy myself a new copy recently because my old one was falling apart.
Awesome.
I have been obsessed with the Titanic for years, even before the blockbuster movie came out. (Though I do love the movie.) Although this book is a bit dated now, I still enjoyed it. It describes the finding of Titanic, once thought to be the ocean's greatest mystery, in 1985. It is amazing to me to think that 24 years ago when I was just being born, the Titanic was finally found. Subsequent dives by countless other people has made it almost lose its magic, so it was really cool to see ho...more
I have been obsessed with the Titanic for years, even before the blockbuster movie came out. (Though I do love the movie.) Although this book is a bit dated now, I still enjoyed it. It describes the finding of Titanic, once thought to be the ocean's greatest mystery, in 1985. It is amazing to me to think that 24 years ago when I was just being born, the Titanic was finally found. Subsequent dives by countless other people has made it almost lose its magic, so it was really cool to see ho...more
This is one of my favorite Titanic books. Dr. Robert Ballard explains in vivid detail about the expeditions he oversaw to finally locate the Titanic's shipwreck, once and for all. It took 73 years for the Titanic to be found after sinking, and he was the man who did it.
I'm quite amazed at the clarity with which Ballard recalls his expeditions. Every minute detail is documented, making the story lift off the pages in front of your eyes. You're not just reading through a documentary, but an intrig...more
I'm quite amazed at the clarity with which Ballard recalls his expeditions. Every minute detail is documented, making the story lift off the pages in front of your eyes. You're not just reading through a documentary, but an intrig...more
There aren't many non-fiction books I would place in the "page-turner" category, but this one I would (though every book on the Titanic has been fascinating to me). This is such a unique story--I enjoyed "Bob" Ballard's storytelling, which was done with great equity (even to those he deems a nemesis) and humor. He does a great job of not just telling "what happened", but helping you feel *how* it happened.
I was intrigued reading about what it feels like to be in a submersible almost two miles b...more
I was intrigued reading about what it feels like to be in a submersible almost two miles b...more
The second chapter that has the detailed account of everything that happened that night, in order, is very chilling. And so many "what if's" bother you, because so many lives were needlessly lost. As for the book itself, it was a bit slow going until he actually finds the wreck. By that point, I finished the rest of the book in 24 hours, excited to read his account. The part that really saddens me is at the end and has nothing to do with Ballard but of his discovery. As the wreck is not a protec...more
I got this book more for the pictures than for the text but started reading it and got hooked. Nicely written, it gives a captivating account of the search for and exploration of the wreck of the Titanic. As Ballard explores the shipwreck, he gives us flashbacks to the ship and her passengers the way they were on the maiden voyage, keeping us considerate of the lives lived and lost on board.
A friend of mine and I got really into the Titanic in fourth grade. This and one other books were on the shelf at the media center/school library and we dove into them. This is probably the better of the two. The pictures are great. I can't remember how the story was told. I think it's what's happened when the ship sank and then what happened when Ballard and his team found the ship.
Absolutely loved this book!
You truly feel the history of the ship within its pages & it makes you appreciate the ground breaking work of Dr Ballard & Alvin.
It's one of the most gripping Titanic books I've read so far
You truly feel the history of the ship within its pages & it makes you appreciate the ground breaking work of Dr Ballard & Alvin.
It's one of the most gripping Titanic books I've read so far
i was lucky enough to meet the great doctor Ballard (via satellite) and found him so amazing in his accomplishments got this through a book fair shortly after that encounter in the 4th grade
First written after the 1985 discovery of the shipwreck by famed deep sea explorer Robert Ballard, it is still as interesting and fascinating as it was then. A must read for all Titanic enthusiasts.
The rating says it all - a superb book! I've lost count how many times I've read it, and will no doubt read it many more times.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It told the story in full detail from building the ship to the present day.
Very much enjoyed his account of finding the lost ship - not to mention all of the amazing photographs!!
Met Ballard and he signed my copy wayyyyy back when - still an interesting story, even almost 25 years later!
There are so many books that have been written about the Titanic, but for readability and information I consider this one of the best. Ballard's team discovered the location of the Titanic in 1985 and then photographed the massive ship with specially designed remote imaging equipment and a three-man submarine. In this book, the photos are compared to pre-iceberg photos of the same locations. A solid account of the sinking is given along with the story of how they found her. It is a bit dated now...more
Amazing book ;)
Tertatih tatih baca buku ini karena belum ada terjemahannya, tapi tetap enjoy ;)
Tertatih tatih baca buku ini karena belum ada terjemahannya, tapi tetap enjoy ;)
Apr 12, 2012
Alex
marked it as to-read
it was the best book ever every one should try it out i <3 this book becaus it rock
Read it in my 7th grade Lit class.
It was then my interest of the Titanic first sparked.
It was then my interest of the Titanic first sparked.
Excellent. Love the then/now pictures side by side.
Amazing to see the vivid photos of the Titanic.
Bingo! This guy's a genius. And lucky.
Know this story well but more for the pictures than anything else .
A must read for any Titanic buff.
Childhood ahoy!
This book is a wonderful history of the Titanic and the discovery of the wreck in the 1980's. The pictures and maps are brilliantly detailed and totally amazing. My only criticism? I could do without Robert Ballard's preachy ego.
Read it after going to see exhibit on the Titanic at Minnesota Science Museum. Good account of his (and others) search for the wreck. Great photographs. Especially interesting given his interview on 60 Minutes tonight.
May 20, 2013
Mela Martinez
marked it as to-read
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Robert Duane Ballard (born June 30, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas) is a former commander in the United States Navy and an oceanographer who is most noted for his work in underwater archaeology. He is most famous for the discoveries of the wrecks of the RMS Titanic in 1985, the battleship Bismarck in 1989, and the wreck of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in 1998. Most recently he discovered the wreck o...more
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Apr 08, 2010 11:39pm