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The Mammoth Book of the Titanic: Contemporary Accounts from Survivors and the World's Press
The story of the sinking of the great liner Titanic has been told countless times since that fateful night on April 14, 1912, by authors and film producers alike, but no accounts are as graphic or revealing as those from people who were actually there. Through survivors' tales and contemporary newspaper reports from both sides of the Atlantic, The Mammoth Book of the Titanic strips away the Hollywood gloss and tells the real story of the "unsinkable" vessel. Here are eyewitness accounts full of details that range from poignant to humorous as they follow the Titanic, stage by stage, from its glorious launch in Belfast to the somber sea burial services of those who perished on her first and only voyage.
- GenresNonfictionHistory
512 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 9, 2008
I have been reading this book forever. I got it for Christmas a few years ago and it has lived in the bathroom ever since.
I am utterly fascinated by the Titanic. The story of the ship who built it, how it was built, why it was built. All the rich and glorious people on board and the horrors of the 3rd Class passengers and the bravery and selfishness and the selflessness and everything in between.
This is one of the most educational books I have read about the titanic. It contains the personal accounts of people who were on the ship and also the investigations that went into why it sunk. In the back it has passenger lists, Death lists, survivor lists... It’s awesome.
I’m a little sad that I finished it after all this time, but that leaves me wide open to read it again or to peruse the book store for something else about the Titanic that is just as fascinating.
I am utterly fascinated by the Titanic. The story of the ship who built it, how it was built, why it was built. All the rich and glorious people on board and the horrors of the 3rd Class passengers and the bravery and selfishness and the selflessness and everything in between.
This is one of the most educational books I have read about the titanic. It contains the personal accounts of people who were on the ship and also the investigations that went into why it sunk. In the back it has passenger lists, Death lists, survivor lists... It’s awesome.
I’m a little sad that I finished it after all this time, but that leaves me wide open to read it again or to peruse the book store for something else about the Titanic that is just as fascinating.
March 19, 2022
This book is very typical of 'The Mammoth Book of..' series, although I think it is one of the more interesting ones. For those unfamiliar with 'The Mammoth Book of.." series, each volume usually focuses on a specific topic or event (e.g. crime or world war II, etc.). Rather than being written from as a history, the books tend to be drawn from first-person accounts (though not all 'Mammoth' books are).
The Mammoth Book of the TITANIC definitely draws on first-person accounts. Although a paperback, it consists of over 500 pages, printing short first-person accounts, excepts of period news articles, and even portions of the investigating inquiries. As such it spans the full range from the launching of TITANIC, it's sailing, the iceberg, sinking, and so on.
A handy glossary is provided in the rear of the book, along with a listing of passengers and crew. Very helpfully, there is a listing of people who were mentioned or whose accounts featured in the book, and it explains what happened to them, whether they survived or not.
There are zero photos though, so the only image is found on the front cover. That said, this is a great book for the casual reader who wants to hear from those who were there, without getting overwhelmed by some of the more pedantic TITANIC books.
It keeps the story concise and easy to grasp. It is also a great resource because you are not reading what someone wrote 100 years later, but the actual words of survivors then.
It certainly belongs on any TITANIC bookshelf, and even more casual readers will find it interesting.
The Mammoth Book of the TITANIC definitely draws on first-person accounts. Although a paperback, it consists of over 500 pages, printing short first-person accounts, excepts of period news articles, and even portions of the investigating inquiries. As such it spans the full range from the launching of TITANIC, it's sailing, the iceberg, sinking, and so on.
A handy glossary is provided in the rear of the book, along with a listing of passengers and crew. Very helpfully, there is a listing of people who were mentioned or whose accounts featured in the book, and it explains what happened to them, whether they survived or not.
There are zero photos though, so the only image is found on the front cover. That said, this is a great book for the casual reader who wants to hear from those who were there, without getting overwhelmed by some of the more pedantic TITANIC books.
It keeps the story concise and easy to grasp. It is also a great resource because you are not reading what someone wrote 100 years later, but the actual words of survivors then.
It certainly belongs on any TITANIC bookshelf, and even more casual readers will find it interesting.
October 4, 2024
An extensive compilation of first hand accounts and news paper articles telling the story from the people who were there. This ship has always been a fascination for me and this was one of 4 or 5 Titanic themed books my bookshelf. It’s been there for a while and honestly had no idea what it was when I purchased. But while in NYC in the spring, I visited a Titanic exhibit and it made me want to dive in as I’ve read all the others. Not a story so much as a very lengthy book report! Took months to get through in that regard but enjoyed nonetheless
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews