Fantastic!

Listened to this because I'm a massive fan of the 1958 movie that this book is based on' Boy was I not disappointed this book has everything that the 1997 James Cameron movie didn't have which was non stop action from when the story starts right untill the end' Anothen big plus for this book is all the true facts that I learned and that I didn't even know myself'' And all this without anybody having to add a cheesy love story which wasn't needed (Sorry mr Camaron) Plus the reader of this book does a fantastic job, Will deffo be keeping this book in my library and will defo be enjoying it for many many years to come 10 out of 10 !!!

5 people found this helpful

just incredible

taking an unbiased and generally non sensationalised account of times and people and delicately out into time line... the stories speak for themselves

4 people found this helpful

A Concise & Well Written Account

I have recently been on a bit of a Titanic reading spree and had read two books prior to deciding to get this one. Perhaps the main reason I didn't opt for this one first was that I believe it was the oldest of the books I had read so far and I thought that alone was a reason to not select it first. Despite being written by the highly knowledgable and a Titanic historian, Walter Lord, I incorrectly thought this might be a less detailed or accurate account of the Titanic story. While it's true that we are adding to our knowledge of the wreck all the time over a series of expeditions in the years since this book was written, it doesn't affect the primary source material covered so concisely in this book.

I found this book to be the best I've read, so far, in terms of a timeline of events as witnessed by various people onboard. It clearly states where each person was at specific points during the sinking of the famous liner and I found this to offer a clear and much more concise treatment of the personal accounts. For example, in none of the prior two books I've read did I understand how the life boats were numbered. This simple bit of information made understanding the whereabouts and on which side of the ship various events to place. It baffles me as to how other books I've read have failed to explain this simple thing.

Interestingly, this comprehensive telling of the story of the disaster did miss some people. Mention was actually made of Alfred White, a man in the dynamo room at the time of the sinking and yet fails to tell us his story which was a harrowing one. It's possible Lord did not have access to other survivor accounts at the time he wrote this book.

In the book 'Farewell, Titanic' it is mentioned just how little time between the report of 'Ice berg! Right Ahead!' and the impact was but didn't quantify this. Lord does in this older book and gives the period of time as a scant 37 seconds.

Narration is provided by Martin Jarvis, a very familiar name to British listeners, who does an excellent job here and is able to render multiple accents when reading personal accounts which lends an air of greater realism to the survivor accounts. Jarvis doesn't overdo this, it comes across well.

I would recommend anyone delving into the Titanic story for the first time too read this one first. It really does offer a very comprehensive account of the sinking and places the listener in the thick of the disaster. it is written in a neat, flowing narrative that is easy to understand and digest and so is a great starting point for any Titanic novices.

2 people found this helpful

A classic

Fantastic book, gripping throughout and beautifully narrated. A must read for anyone interested in the Titanic.

2 people found this helpful

fantastic

loved it love this app love all the free books to listen too glad im a sibscriber credit every month can buy any book and off course all the free books here love it

1 person found this helpful

sensational

phenomenal non fiction book. attention to detail is astounding. The narration is exceptional. Cant praise this enough

1 person found this helpful

A Night should not be forgotten

Excellent
Narrator enthusiastic and word perfect.
A gripping account of fact not fiction.
Beautifully written

1 person found this helpful

WOW an amazing description of the titanic

Explains all the blanks of titanic that we did not know existed so it was an amazing thrill to listen to so enjoyable and an adventure

Hugely enjoyable

I really enjoyed this book and it made the story of the Titanic sinking very real to someone who couldn’t even imagine what it was like. Terrifying and entertaining in equal measure and a must listen/read in my opinion.

Excellent book

Slightly computerised or monotone voice. Stunning story that honours the lives lost and the stories of those who survived.