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Why the Titanic was Doomed
Titanic – the most magnificent ocean liner of her time – was doomed and destined for disaster before she ever left the docks at Southampton. Doomed by her owner, doomed by her designers, doomed by the men who sailed her -- doomed even by her sister ship.
Author Bryan Jackson presents a new and unique look at the many circumstances that came together the night of April 14, 1912 to claim over 1,500 lives and leave Titanic lying in 12,000 feet of water on the bottom of the North Atlantic.
Each chapter details how seemingly disconnected pieces served to create a tragedy that remains as significant today as it was over a century ago. They include flawed design decisions, outdated regulations, substandard materials, weather conditions, lookouts left blinded and warnings never acted upon. Perhaps the most fascinating piece is a look at how events involving sister ship Olympic would result in Titanic being placed directly on course to meet the iceberg which would sink her.
In addition, Jackson offers a look at the circumstances that saved some from perishing in the tragedy. They range from the rich and famous -- to family members traveling in third-class who managed to escape the sinking while the majority of the passengers sailing in those accommodations would not survive.
Also provided is a comprehensive Titanic timeline which details the events which lead to her construction -- and eventual destruction.
Author Bryan Jackson presents a new and unique look at the many circumstances that came together the night of April 14, 1912 to claim over 1,500 lives and leave Titanic lying in 12,000 feet of water on the bottom of the North Atlantic.
Each chapter details how seemingly disconnected pieces served to create a tragedy that remains as significant today as it was over a century ago. They include flawed design decisions, outdated regulations, substandard materials, weather conditions, lookouts left blinded and warnings never acted upon. Perhaps the most fascinating piece is a look at how events involving sister ship Olympic would result in Titanic being placed directly on course to meet the iceberg which would sink her.
In addition, Jackson offers a look at the circumstances that saved some from perishing in the tragedy. They range from the rich and famous -- to family members traveling in third-class who managed to escape the sinking while the majority of the passengers sailing in those accommodations would not survive.
Also provided is a comprehensive Titanic timeline which details the events which lead to her construction -- and eventual destruction.
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Published January 1, 2022
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April 12, 2022
Titanic – the most magnificent ocean liner of her time – was doomed and destined for disaster before she ever left the docks at Southampton. Author Bryan Jackson presents a new and unique look at the many circumstances that came together on the night of April 14, 1912, to claim over 1,500 lives and leave the Titanic lying in 12,000 feet of water on the bottom of the North Atlantic.
Jackson organizes his book around fourteen main chapters with each chapter exploring the various circumstances that may seem disconnected but combined together on the night of April 14 leading to the biggest naval disaster. They include flawed design decisions, outdated regulations, substandard materials, weather conditions, lookouts left blinded, delayed maiden voyage, the coal strike before the voyage, and warnings never acted upon among others. The book also provides a comprehensive timeline that details the events which lead to her faulty construction -- and eventual destruction.
The last section talks about the aftermath of the Titanic. The book goes into great detail—to find out the events after the tragedy including the fate of the crew, owners, some survivors of the tragedy, and also other ships like--the Olympic, the Britannic, the Carpathia, the Californian, which were quite interesting. There are many books about Titanic but very few discuss the events that happened after the tragedy, which were both fascinating and engaging.
The book contains an appendix and some wonderful pictures of the building, launching, and sea trials of the great ship, important people associated with the ship, and various artifacts.
This is a history of the Titanic mostly focusing on the mistakes that all added up to contribute to the tragedy. The book mainly focuses on the “WHY” rather than the “HOW” and does not fall back on pointing out the human errors and corporate greed responsible for some of the ill-fated decisions such as the captain choosing to not slow down in the dark as they entered the ice fields, or not enough lifeboats or faulty design to accommodate more rich passengers and others.
This book has been very well researched and has been well written to include every possible detail. Though there are many books about Titanic and I have read quite a few of them, this book contained lots of relatively unknown facts and has been a fascinating read. The chapters present all the information in clear and concise chapters which were easy to read. If you are interested in reading and understanding more about the Titanic disaster, this book is a must-read for you.
Many thanks to Bryan Jackson, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword for the ARC.
Jackson organizes his book around fourteen main chapters with each chapter exploring the various circumstances that may seem disconnected but combined together on the night of April 14 leading to the biggest naval disaster. They include flawed design decisions, outdated regulations, substandard materials, weather conditions, lookouts left blinded, delayed maiden voyage, the coal strike before the voyage, and warnings never acted upon among others. The book also provides a comprehensive timeline that details the events which lead to her faulty construction -- and eventual destruction.
The last section talks about the aftermath of the Titanic. The book goes into great detail—to find out the events after the tragedy including the fate of the crew, owners, some survivors of the tragedy, and also other ships like--the Olympic, the Britannic, the Carpathia, the Californian, which were quite interesting. There are many books about Titanic but very few discuss the events that happened after the tragedy, which were both fascinating and engaging.
The book contains an appendix and some wonderful pictures of the building, launching, and sea trials of the great ship, important people associated with the ship, and various artifacts.
This is a history of the Titanic mostly focusing on the mistakes that all added up to contribute to the tragedy. The book mainly focuses on the “WHY” rather than the “HOW” and does not fall back on pointing out the human errors and corporate greed responsible for some of the ill-fated decisions such as the captain choosing to not slow down in the dark as they entered the ice fields, or not enough lifeboats or faulty design to accommodate more rich passengers and others.
This book has been very well researched and has been well written to include every possible detail. Though there are many books about Titanic and I have read quite a few of them, this book contained lots of relatively unknown facts and has been a fascinating read. The chapters present all the information in clear and concise chapters which were easy to read. If you are interested in reading and understanding more about the Titanic disaster, this book is a must-read for you.
Many thanks to Bryan Jackson, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword for the ARC.
April 14, 2022
The author shares his aim in the preface of this book, writing:
While most people would attribute the sinking of the Titanic to the iceberg that it collided with, this book aims to show the series of events that led to its destruction prior to it even setting off on its maiden voyage. Despite all of the careful planning and an astonishing budget of 7.5 million dollars, so much was overlooked throughout the process that led to the departure of the ship. Jackson looks at 14 different circumstances, one in each of the main chapters, to illustrate how this series of unfortunate events led to the well-known disaster.
The sinking of the ship, which occurred 110 years ago as of then posting of this review, seemed to be impossible. Not only was this due to the way the ship was advertised; but its sister ship, the Olympic, survived what would have been a fatal collision with another boat if not for its size and the skill of the crew involved. Ultimately, however, this sister ship would heavily contribute to the tragedy of the Titanic, as it not only took parts off the now infamous ship, but also delayed its departure by a month. This seemingly insignificant time period, unfortunately, may be the reason why the ship even encountered an iceberg. This level of detailed insight continues throughout the book, providing a fantastic snapshot of the demise of the ship on its inaugural voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
There was speculation that perhaps the commander of the ill-fated ship, Captain Edward Smith, it’s owner, Mr. Ismay of the company White Star, and other crew were warned about the location of the massive icebergs. While there exist credible witnesses in the 705 survivors (about a third of those onboard), this leads to a curious train of thought about both the hubris and the carelessness of those in charge of the different facets of operation of the famed vessel.
Ultimately, the picture painted by Jackson is one of a perfect storm, where the culmination of the events outlined all likely played a key role in the eventual outcome of the Titanic. Told from an abundance of factual evidence about the ship and it’s plight, Jackson illustrates how all of these coincidental events contributed to the catastrophe. He even includes snippets of transcripts from both the British Inquiry and the US Senate hearing on the disaster, outlining some of the circumstances that contributed to the sinking of the reputed “unsinkable” ship. Another interesting source, of the many included, is the report entitled Metallurgy of the RMS Titanic, which details yet another overlooked flaw in the ship’s construction.
The final section of the book features timelines, statistics and thorough information about both the survivors and what happened immediately after the Titanic sank. This timeline and data served to give more perspective to the magnitude of the death toll, while the details of what came next were just as fascinating as the various reasons cited for the sinking within the book’s main chapters. These final sections also served to show the differences in the ship’s three classes, demonstrating the social hierarchy during the era. Of this appendix section, I was most interested by the improvements made to both the Olympia and other ships following the disaster. If there was to be one bright spot amidst the tragedy, it was the White Star company's understanding of the necessity of ensuring their ships were operating safely, and with enough lifeboats, going forward.
From the aformentioned design flaws, to weather conditions, to the lunar cycle, to incompetence, lack of preparedness, and/or carelessness of members of the crew at practically every level, there were several causes of the eventual fate of the Titanic. While its collision with the fatal iceberg is common knowledge, this book dives into the realities for those involved with the creation, oversight and even for the passengers aboard. Jackson clearly spent a great deal of time researching the information shared, and is clearly fascinated by the subject in a way that is contagious while reading. If you’re at all curious about maritime history and the evolution of regulations for sea vessels, or this particular disaster, this is definitely a book that will satisfy your quest for answers.
Thank you to the publisher, Pen & Sword, for providing an e-ARC for review via Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
To see more of my reviews, check out my blog: https://kristinasshelves.blogspot.com
“...one perspective always seemed to be missing–the many circumstances, large and small, that came together to doom the ship that many had considered unsinkable” (p. viii)
While most people would attribute the sinking of the Titanic to the iceberg that it collided with, this book aims to show the series of events that led to its destruction prior to it even setting off on its maiden voyage. Despite all of the careful planning and an astonishing budget of 7.5 million dollars, so much was overlooked throughout the process that led to the departure of the ship. Jackson looks at 14 different circumstances, one in each of the main chapters, to illustrate how this series of unfortunate events led to the well-known disaster.
The sinking of the ship, which occurred 110 years ago as of then posting of this review, seemed to be impossible. Not only was this due to the way the ship was advertised; but its sister ship, the Olympic, survived what would have been a fatal collision with another boat if not for its size and the skill of the crew involved. Ultimately, however, this sister ship would heavily contribute to the tragedy of the Titanic, as it not only took parts off the now infamous ship, but also delayed its departure by a month. This seemingly insignificant time period, unfortunately, may be the reason why the ship even encountered an iceberg. This level of detailed insight continues throughout the book, providing a fantastic snapshot of the demise of the ship on its inaugural voyage across the Atlantic Ocean.
There was speculation that perhaps the commander of the ill-fated ship, Captain Edward Smith, it’s owner, Mr. Ismay of the company White Star, and other crew were warned about the location of the massive icebergs. While there exist credible witnesses in the 705 survivors (about a third of those onboard), this leads to a curious train of thought about both the hubris and the carelessness of those in charge of the different facets of operation of the famed vessel.
Ultimately, the picture painted by Jackson is one of a perfect storm, where the culmination of the events outlined all likely played a key role in the eventual outcome of the Titanic. Told from an abundance of factual evidence about the ship and it’s plight, Jackson illustrates how all of these coincidental events contributed to the catastrophe. He even includes snippets of transcripts from both the British Inquiry and the US Senate hearing on the disaster, outlining some of the circumstances that contributed to the sinking of the reputed “unsinkable” ship. Another interesting source, of the many included, is the report entitled Metallurgy of the RMS Titanic, which details yet another overlooked flaw in the ship’s construction.
The final section of the book features timelines, statistics and thorough information about both the survivors and what happened immediately after the Titanic sank. This timeline and data served to give more perspective to the magnitude of the death toll, while the details of what came next were just as fascinating as the various reasons cited for the sinking within the book’s main chapters. These final sections also served to show the differences in the ship’s three classes, demonstrating the social hierarchy during the era. Of this appendix section, I was most interested by the improvements made to both the Olympia and other ships following the disaster. If there was to be one bright spot amidst the tragedy, it was the White Star company's understanding of the necessity of ensuring their ships were operating safely, and with enough lifeboats, going forward.
From the aformentioned design flaws, to weather conditions, to the lunar cycle, to incompetence, lack of preparedness, and/or carelessness of members of the crew at practically every level, there were several causes of the eventual fate of the Titanic. While its collision with the fatal iceberg is common knowledge, this book dives into the realities for those involved with the creation, oversight and even for the passengers aboard. Jackson clearly spent a great deal of time researching the information shared, and is clearly fascinated by the subject in a way that is contagious while reading. If you’re at all curious about maritime history and the evolution of regulations for sea vessels, or this particular disaster, this is definitely a book that will satisfy your quest for answers.
Thank you to the publisher, Pen & Sword, for providing an e-ARC for review via Netgalley; all opinions are my own.
To see more of my reviews, check out my blog: https://kristinasshelves.blogspot.com
June 12, 2022
Great book about Titanic. I was excited to see this book and it revealed some very fascinating things about her. Some I knew about and some I didn't.
There were a few dry passages about her but that usually goes along with being a non fiction book.
To me, I love anything on this amazing ocean liners. Even her passengers were interesting to know too.
Titanic and her passengers will always be forever un my heart.
5 stars for a well written book and wonderful research.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
There were a few dry passages about her but that usually goes along with being a non fiction book.
To me, I love anything on this amazing ocean liners. Even her passengers were interesting to know too.
Titanic and her passengers will always be forever un my heart.
5 stars for a well written book and wonderful research.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
March 15, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a free copy from NetGalley.
A must read for anyone who wants to know What Happened in terms of the Titanic’s sinking.
This is a history of the Titanic mostly focusing on the technology involved, but also the environmental factors and human error that all added up to contribute to the tragedy.
Jackson’s book is well presented and technical, but not at all dry, and, despite the academic approach, still manages to break you heart as he walks you through events, step by step, showing all the missed chances for the disaster to be prevented.
He also never forgets the human cost of this maritime disaster, using quotes from people who there to speak about the sinking and making this 100+ year old history fresh and relatable, while also making sure to try and keep out bias and judgement.
Jackson presents the long list of items that contributed to the sinking in a concise and easy to read manner, some well-known, such as the captain choosing to not slow down in the dark as they entered the ice fields, others shocking, such as the 1,000 year event of a super-full moon that caused record high tides, bringing record amounts of ice down into the shipping lanes.
Highly recommend for anyone interested in the Titanic.
March 29, 2022
First sentence from the preface: It is an understatement to say that much has been written about one of the world's most famous ships, Titanic.
First sentence from the introduction: Ask someone what caused the Titanic to sink and they will tell you, 'It hit an iceberg.'
Premise/plot: Bryan Jackson argues in his book that the Titanic was doomed before it ever left the shipyard. He organizes his book around fourteen main circumstances. But within each "main" circumstance, there seemed to be more additional circumstances that would reasonably lead to trouble or "doom" for the Titanic. For example, the first circumstance is "A Delayed Maiden Voyage," the third circumstance is, "Telegrams That Could Have Changed History," and the twelfth circumstance, "The Coal Strike that Increased the Death Toll."
The first hundred pages (give or take) are sharing all the reasons--or circumstances--why the Titanic was doomed. The last hundred pages (give or take) are sharing about the aftermath of the Titanic. The book goes into great detail--before, during, and after. And it brings in related subjects. Like other ships--the Olympic, the Britannic, the Carpathia, the Californian.
My thoughts: I LOVED this one. It was packed with facts and details. While I had definitely heard some of these facts before, there were plenty new-to-me facts that kept me turning pages. Reading all these facts--the way he compiles these together--it is easy to form a big picture. It is easy to conclude alongside the author that yes, the Titanic was doomed.
I loved both sections. I found the first half fascinating and engaging. I couldn't stop reading. Yes, I knew what happened and what was coming. But I was learning. And what wasn't "new" information was being put into context in a better way. Instead of being "scattered" or completely random tidbits, I was putting everything together into a whole picture. The second half might be considered side tangents--in some ways--but I found it still to be of interest.
First sentence from the introduction: Ask someone what caused the Titanic to sink and they will tell you, 'It hit an iceberg.'
Premise/plot: Bryan Jackson argues in his book that the Titanic was doomed before it ever left the shipyard. He organizes his book around fourteen main circumstances. But within each "main" circumstance, there seemed to be more additional circumstances that would reasonably lead to trouble or "doom" for the Titanic. For example, the first circumstance is "A Delayed Maiden Voyage," the third circumstance is, "Telegrams That Could Have Changed History," and the twelfth circumstance, "The Coal Strike that Increased the Death Toll."
The first hundred pages (give or take) are sharing all the reasons--or circumstances--why the Titanic was doomed. The last hundred pages (give or take) are sharing about the aftermath of the Titanic. The book goes into great detail--before, during, and after. And it brings in related subjects. Like other ships--the Olympic, the Britannic, the Carpathia, the Californian.
My thoughts: I LOVED this one. It was packed with facts and details. While I had definitely heard some of these facts before, there were plenty new-to-me facts that kept me turning pages. Reading all these facts--the way he compiles these together--it is easy to form a big picture. It is easy to conclude alongside the author that yes, the Titanic was doomed.
I loved both sections. I found the first half fascinating and engaging. I couldn't stop reading. Yes, I knew what happened and what was coming. But I was learning. And what wasn't "new" information was being put into context in a better way. Instead of being "scattered" or completely random tidbits, I was putting everything together into a whole picture. The second half might be considered side tangents--in some ways--but I found it still to be of interest.
March 17, 2022
I have always been fascinated about the Titanic ever since I was small, even more so as I had ancestors on the fated vessel and so it is a personal interest for me. This book was very well written and had obviously been well researched. Everyone knows the story of the titanic and I have researched a lot myself but this book contained information that I didn't know and so I learnt a lot.
A very emotive yet fascinating read.
A very emotive yet fascinating read.
June 30, 2022
Oh my goodness! I did not think that this book would affect me the way it did, but it blew me away. I enjoyed reading about the different areas that really doomed Titanic from the start, shuddered again at the large loss of life, and dove into the timeline like a kid in a candy store.
Absolutely heartbreaking and amazing all at once. This book was all of those - with a lot more in between. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy anything Titanic.
Absolutely heartbreaking and amazing all at once. This book was all of those - with a lot more in between. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy anything Titanic.
April 15, 2022
I've read most books on the Titanic that I could get my hands on. This book is differently simply because it shows each step from the beginning of the ship building to the night of her sinking that took her to the bottom of the ocean. This is a very interesting book. Like most books on the subject of Titanic, there isn't a whole lot of new information. You will however find this book one of the most interesting books written about the Titanic. The writing flows and even a first time reader of Titanic history will enjoy and understand this book.
March 14, 2022
A fascinating insight into why the Titanic may have been doomed even before that fateful night in April 1912.
Well written, easy to read, it had my emotions all over the place - tears, shock, anger, joy for those who were saved. The layout also helped the ease of reading; having it split so that each chapter explored something different worked really well.
A must read for those with an interest in the Titanic
Well written, easy to read, it had my emotions all over the place - tears, shock, anger, joy for those who were saved. The layout also helped the ease of reading; having it split so that each chapter explored something different worked really well.
A must read for those with an interest in the Titanic
April 25, 2022
4.5 stars
The most famous maritime accident in history to date raises questions about the definition of what was the main circumstance that led a ship considered by many to be "unsinkable" to sink in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
.
But author Bryan Jackson in this book shows us that it would be nearly impossible to pinpoint just one mistake that led to the momentous tragedy of 110 years ago.
.
In Why The Titanic Was Doomed, we are presented with circumstances ranging from "savings" aimed at comfort and design in construction, the delay of the RMS Titanic's maiden voyage to misguided choices made seconds before the ship collided with the iceberg.
.
Also featuring a detailed timeline that extends to 2030 - the year in which the Titanic will probably cease to exist once and for all on the seafloor due to a superbug -, the work is not just a technical and impersonal account, but manages to elicit emotions as strong as the fictional version of James Cameron.
.
I definitely loved reading it and I think it became one of those books that leave a mark on you forever. Hopefully, even after 2030 the story of the RMS Titanic and its entire crew will remain in our minds.
"Why The Titanic Was Doomed" will be released on June 30, 2022.
***************************************
4.5 estrelas
.
O acidente marítimo mais famoso da história até hoje levanta questões sobre a definição de qual foi a circunstância principal que levou um navio considerado por muitos como "inafundável" ir a pique no meio do Oceano Atlântico.
.
Porém o autor Bryan Jackson neste livro nos mostra que seria quase impossível apontar apenas um erro que levou à tragédia memorável de 110 anos atrás.
.
Em Why The Titanic Was Doomed, somos apresentados circunstâncias desde "economias" visando conforto e design na construção, o atraso da viagem inaugural do RMS Titanic até escolhas equivocadas tomadas segundos antes da colisão do navio com o iceberg.
.
Contando também com uma linha do tempo detalhada que se extende até 2030 – ano em que provavelmente o Titanic deixará de existir de uma vez por todas no fundo do mar devido à uma superbactéria –, a obra não é apenas um relato técnico e impessoal, mas consegue arrancar emoções tão fortes quanto versão ficcional de James Cameron.
.
Eu definitivamente adorei a leitura e creio que se tornou um daqueles livros que marcam a gente para sempre. Esperançosamente, mesmo após 2030 a história do RMS Titanic e toda sua tripulação continuará em nossas mentes.
"Why The Titanic Was Doomed" terá seu lançamento em 30 de junho de 2022
The most famous maritime accident in history to date raises questions about the definition of what was the main circumstance that led a ship considered by many to be "unsinkable" to sink in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.
.
But author Bryan Jackson in this book shows us that it would be nearly impossible to pinpoint just one mistake that led to the momentous tragedy of 110 years ago.
.
In Why The Titanic Was Doomed, we are presented with circumstances ranging from "savings" aimed at comfort and design in construction, the delay of the RMS Titanic's maiden voyage to misguided choices made seconds before the ship collided with the iceberg.
.
Also featuring a detailed timeline that extends to 2030 - the year in which the Titanic will probably cease to exist once and for all on the seafloor due to a superbug -, the work is not just a technical and impersonal account, but manages to elicit emotions as strong as the fictional version of James Cameron.
.
I definitely loved reading it and I think it became one of those books that leave a mark on you forever. Hopefully, even after 2030 the story of the RMS Titanic and its entire crew will remain in our minds.
"Why The Titanic Was Doomed" will be released on June 30, 2022.
***************************************
4.5 estrelas
.
O acidente marítimo mais famoso da história até hoje levanta questões sobre a definição de qual foi a circunstância principal que levou um navio considerado por muitos como "inafundável" ir a pique no meio do Oceano Atlântico.
.
Porém o autor Bryan Jackson neste livro nos mostra que seria quase impossível apontar apenas um erro que levou à tragédia memorável de 110 anos atrás.
.
Em Why The Titanic Was Doomed, somos apresentados circunstâncias desde "economias" visando conforto e design na construção, o atraso da viagem inaugural do RMS Titanic até escolhas equivocadas tomadas segundos antes da colisão do navio com o iceberg.
.
Contando também com uma linha do tempo detalhada que se extende até 2030 – ano em que provavelmente o Titanic deixará de existir de uma vez por todas no fundo do mar devido à uma superbactéria –, a obra não é apenas um relato técnico e impessoal, mas consegue arrancar emoções tão fortes quanto versão ficcional de James Cameron.
.
Eu definitivamente adorei a leitura e creio que se tornou um daqueles livros que marcam a gente para sempre. Esperançosamente, mesmo após 2030 a história do RMS Titanic e toda sua tripulação continuará em nossas mentes.
"Why The Titanic Was Doomed" terá seu lançamento em 30 de junho de 2022
March 16, 2022
224 pages
5 stars
Bryan Jackson does a very good job in telling the reasons he believes that may have contributed to the Titanic disaster on April 14-15, 1912. He lists potential structural problems such as rivets and the metal used. Something I’m so glad he mentioned was that the “watertight” bulkheads weren’t watertight at all. They did not reach all the way up to the bottom of the deck above. I have always focused on this problem, and I am glad someone finally put the issue in writing.
He also speaks of the environmental conditions and the human error which may have also contributed. He even discusses the Olympic’s collision with the HMS Hawk and how that could have had an effect on the disaster simply by delaying the Titanic’s sailing time.
He did not fail to mention the tragic human cost of the ship’s sinking. He treated the people with care and kindness. I was pleased with this. He was completely neutral in reporting the issues with some survivors who were ostracized for their actions. He simply reported their actions (as we know them), and left it there without comment or condemnation.
The book contains an appendix and some wonderful pictures of the building, launching and sea trials of the great ship. Also included are several more interesting pictures of people and artifacts.
This is a very well written and plotted book. It is laid out in clear and concise chapters in an easy to read format. While it is history, it is not at all dry. I recommend it to any Titanic aficionado or those who are interested in ship disasters or ships in general.
I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
5 stars
Bryan Jackson does a very good job in telling the reasons he believes that may have contributed to the Titanic disaster on April 14-15, 1912. He lists potential structural problems such as rivets and the metal used. Something I’m so glad he mentioned was that the “watertight” bulkheads weren’t watertight at all. They did not reach all the way up to the bottom of the deck above. I have always focused on this problem, and I am glad someone finally put the issue in writing.
He also speaks of the environmental conditions and the human error which may have also contributed. He even discusses the Olympic’s collision with the HMS Hawk and how that could have had an effect on the disaster simply by delaying the Titanic’s sailing time.
He did not fail to mention the tragic human cost of the ship’s sinking. He treated the people with care and kindness. I was pleased with this. He was completely neutral in reporting the issues with some survivors who were ostracized for their actions. He simply reported their actions (as we know them), and left it there without comment or condemnation.
The book contains an appendix and some wonderful pictures of the building, launching and sea trials of the great ship. Also included are several more interesting pictures of people and artifacts.
This is a very well written and plotted book. It is laid out in clear and concise chapters in an easy to read format. While it is history, it is not at all dry. I recommend it to any Titanic aficionado or those who are interested in ship disasters or ships in general.
I want to thank NetGalley and Pen & Sword/Pen & Sword History for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
April 7, 2022
As a person who has read several books on the Titanic as well as watching many documentaries and movies I wandered if this new title would add much to my knowledge and understanding so I was pleasantly surprised to find that indeed it did! The author takes a unique approach to telling the story where each chapter reviews a specific circumstance that contributed to the disaster and, as he says, if any of these circumstance had been different or avoided altogether the outcome could have been so different. This approach is similar to accident and incident investigations carried out in hazardous industries where disasters occur through the failure of multiple "layers of protection". The benefit of this approach to the story allows the reader to gather facts about separate failures of design, equipment, materials, human judgement as well as prevailing circumstances of weather, schedules and coinciding events. It is a fascinating exercise where the reader can draw their own conclusions but it is clear that there were multiple opportunities to avoid the incident or at least to mitigate the consequences.
Clearly there has been a lot of research on the material for this book as is shown in the breath of detail. What readers will also appreciate is the skill he has used to bring it all together into a well written and cohesive story. Quite the page turner!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for providing this book for review.
Clearly there has been a lot of research on the material for this book as is shown in the breath of detail. What readers will also appreciate is the skill he has used to bring it all together into a well written and cohesive story. Quite the page turner!
Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for providing this book for review.
March 25, 2022
'Why the Titanic Was Doomed' is a well researched and well written account of how and why the disaster occurred, I was impressed by how Bryan Jackson was thorough in detailing each aspect, and yet it still felt relatively 'bite-sized' which I think was due to concentraing on the failures themselves that ked to the sinking (rather than a complete account.
I also liked how he wasn't too entrenched in a viewpoint on how much one factor played a part, and both sides of the 'what-ifs' were presented without bias.
Lastly, I felt it struck a very good tone over the tragedy and the lives lost, it was handled sensitively not sensationally.
The only criticism I'd potentially have is that the Britannic section was maybe not needed, as interesting as it was - the Olympic part made sense as part of what affected the Titanic, but as the Britannic came after, it wasn't the case and maybe deserves a place in a different article or book instead!
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and would like to thank Netgalley and Pen & Sword for the copy of this book provided for an honest review.
I also liked how he wasn't too entrenched in a viewpoint on how much one factor played a part, and both sides of the 'what-ifs' were presented without bias.
Lastly, I felt it struck a very good tone over the tragedy and the lives lost, it was handled sensitively not sensationally.
The only criticism I'd potentially have is that the Britannic section was maybe not needed, as interesting as it was - the Olympic part made sense as part of what affected the Titanic, but as the Britannic came after, it wasn't the case and maybe deserves a place in a different article or book instead!
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and would like to thank Netgalley and Pen & Sword for the copy of this book provided for an honest review.
April 9, 2022
A great comprehensive read for Titanic experts and novices alike!
I've been a passionate Titanic buff for like 15 years now, seen many documentaries and read many books and articles, which is why I'm always so happy to find new resources with information new to me. And this book delivered.
The Titanic disaster was indeed nothing but a perfect storm and Bryan Jackson did an amazing job getting and organizing all of this information into one place, into one very well written and easily digestible book. I certainly learned some information I didn't know before.
In addition to all of the factors that contributed to the ship's demise the author also includes info on other ships and people that took part in the tragedy, a detailed timeline and historical photos (always my favorite part).
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Pen & Sword for granting me my wish and sending me the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
I've been a passionate Titanic buff for like 15 years now, seen many documentaries and read many books and articles, which is why I'm always so happy to find new resources with information new to me. And this book delivered.
The Titanic disaster was indeed nothing but a perfect storm and Bryan Jackson did an amazing job getting and organizing all of this information into one place, into one very well written and easily digestible book. I certainly learned some information I didn't know before.
In addition to all of the factors that contributed to the ship's demise the author also includes info on other ships and people that took part in the tragedy, a detailed timeline and historical photos (always my favorite part).
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Pen & Sword for granting me my wish and sending me the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
March 22, 2022
“The White Star Line never officially said that Titanic was ‘unsinkable’”
What a delight this book was!
My favourite part has to be the description that some Titanic enthusiasts are called… ‘Titaniacs’ THATS ME!!!!
I found out so many interesting things in this book, some I already knew but plenty that I didn’t.
It wad such a fascinating read and I devoured it within 2 days.
If you are a Titaniacs this is a must read!
What a delight this book was!
My favourite part has to be the description that some Titanic enthusiasts are called… ‘Titaniacs’ THATS ME!!!!
I found out so many interesting things in this book, some I already knew but plenty that I didn’t.
It wad such a fascinating read and I devoured it within 2 days.
If you are a Titaniacs this is a must read!
March 26, 2022
I really love the amount of information that I learned from this book, even having read several other books about Titanic. The information was presented in a clear, organized way. I couldn’t put it down.
April 16, 2022
I am a really big fan of anything to do with the Titanic but didn't really think I would enjoy another book about the subject. How wrong I was absolutely loved this book. Great facts, great story telling brilliant. The pictures were a real delight at the end totally recommend
May 2, 2022
Good book about the titanic, very informational, gives you timelines from when it was created till the time it hit the iceberg, there is also pictures.
Thanks to Penn & Sword History, netgalley, and author in an exchange for a review.
Thanks to Penn & Sword History, netgalley, and author in an exchange for a review.
March 21, 2023
Always fascinated by the Titanic and the great ocean liners of the time. This is a great read and I have learned things I wasn't aware of surrounding the history of the Titanic's launch and the tragedy of the sinking.
March 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this book by Bryan Jackson. It was very well done and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
March 14, 2022
The titanic most famous ship disaster
Many books been written but this one few that honours those who died and fought to save lives
Worth reading
Many books been written but this one few that honours those who died and fought to save lives
Worth reading
March 16, 2022
No new information, but still a pleasant read.
June 6, 2022
As someone who loves history, this was fascinating. Some parts were a little dry (irony?) but that's nonfiction for you.
January 24, 2023
I loved this book. The author did his research hope to read more by him.
April 11, 2022
I have always been fascinated by the story of the Titanic. The "Unsinkable" giant of the ocean was fated to sink on its maiden voyage on a freezing April night of 1912.
Bryan Jackson's work is superbly researched and well-written. I raced through the book - it is accessible and enjoyable. A must-read for anyone who's interested in the Titanic.
Many thanks to Bryan Jackson, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword for this copy.
Bryan Jackson's work is superbly researched and well-written. I raced through the book - it is accessible and enjoyable. A must-read for anyone who's interested in the Titanic.
Many thanks to Bryan Jackson, NetGalley, and Pen & Sword for this copy.
February 3, 2023
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I love all things Titanic and I was thrilled to be able to get a copy of this book.
I must say that the first half of the book was brilliant, I carried on reading and didn’t want to put it down. It was fascinating and I loved find out more, it really was stand out for me.
The way that the story of the Titanic was told in the book was excellent, it was easy to follow and understand and it really does get the brain ticking in terms of what did happen and why, along with the most important question - could it have been avoided, but the author goes one further as he explains why he believed that the Titanic was “doomed” so naturally that is something that will grab your attention if you do have a passion or interests in the ship.
The second part covers a different set of points that are still very interesting and you will carry on reading after being hooked from the way the book starts. The preface and introduction really do hit the nail on the head and the Titanic was, and most likely will always be one of the most, if not the most famous ship in the world due to its infamy and its “brush” with the iceberg on 14th April 1912 which ultimately changed the history of many families, and the future of passenger ships.
The book does make you think as it does sound as though through a number of different elements it was not likely to have a long service at all but we will never be in a position to find out. The author has added a great timeline too which illustrated the timing of the actions up to the sinking.
It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – it is a great addition to my Titanic book collection and on that is highly recommended!
I love all things Titanic and I was thrilled to be able to get a copy of this book.
I must say that the first half of the book was brilliant, I carried on reading and didn’t want to put it down. It was fascinating and I loved find out more, it really was stand out for me.
The way that the story of the Titanic was told in the book was excellent, it was easy to follow and understand and it really does get the brain ticking in terms of what did happen and why, along with the most important question - could it have been avoided, but the author goes one further as he explains why he believed that the Titanic was “doomed” so naturally that is something that will grab your attention if you do have a passion or interests in the ship.
The second part covers a different set of points that are still very interesting and you will carry on reading after being hooked from the way the book starts. The preface and introduction really do hit the nail on the head and the Titanic was, and most likely will always be one of the most, if not the most famous ship in the world due to its infamy and its “brush” with the iceberg on 14th April 1912 which ultimately changed the history of many families, and the future of passenger ships.
The book does make you think as it does sound as though through a number of different elements it was not likely to have a long service at all but we will never be in a position to find out. The author has added a great timeline too which illustrated the timing of the actions up to the sinking.
It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Goodreads and Amazon – it is a great addition to my Titanic book collection and on that is highly recommended!
December 20, 2022
The sinking of Titanic still fascinates more than 100 years after it happened. The overarching question is why it happened, when the ship was supposed to be unsinkable. Bryan Jackson gives 14 specific circumstances that contributed to Titanic's demise. "Why the Titanic Was Doomed" is a must-read for any Titanic history buff. Jackson's reasonings are simple, straightforward facts. They paint a picture that, at times, had me shaking my head at the human folly that led to this disaster. I came away knowing more and understanding better how and why Titanic sank. Definitely a worthwhile read. Thank you to NetGalley and Pen & Sword for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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