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Titanic Landmark Series
Titanic
The story of the sinking of the Titanic based on first hand accounts collected in the days and weeks following the disaster. The story of the Titanic is now well known. But in the months following the disaster wild speculation was rife. On Thursday 22 May 1912, a mere 37 days after the sinking, respected London publisher Grant Richards, delivered Filson Young's book to booksellers around the capital. It was the first attempt to plot the demise of the unsinkable ship from a well-respected writer who had already argued in the light of the Oceana sinking, for proper use of the wireless on board ships. Both Filson and Grant knew victims of the sinking and both worked hard to gather first-hand testimony to use in the book. Much of his telling of the story still stands today and his speculations about the feeling of daily life aboard the doomed ship are used in books and films on the subject.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1912
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
February 17, 2019
This book was published just 37 days after the disaster. There is lots of information on the publics reaction and it's a fascinating read. He tells us about the ships beginning through to the passengers that are on board.
April 27, 2012
If you're going to read a book on the sinking of the Titanic, it might as well be this one. An almost contemporary account, it's a fascinating read. Filson knows his stuff, takes us on a journey from the ship's beginnings, which he speaks of in an almost lyrical, poetic prose, to the life of passengers on board, to its final demise. It's matter of fact sprinkled with colour and must have been hugely eye-opening to read just 5 weeks after the ship went down, a fine mixture of a journalist's eye for detail and the flourish of a novelist. Recommended.
December 29, 2013
This book is a beautifully written contemporary account of the Titanic and her passengers. The author does an excellent job of making the events come alive for the reader. I felt like I was there experiencing it for myself. I have read many many books on the Titanic over the years, (it's been an interest of mine for the last 16 years or so), and I was amazed to find so much information in this book that has continued to be passed on in many other books and movies up to the present day.
Although there are a few details that have now been confirmed as happening differently than the author reports, (the main one being that the ship went down in one piece, when we now know that it broke in two), in my opinion this in no way diminishes this work. The reader must remember that this account was written a month or so after the disaster, and as with any historic event, more details always come to light as time goes by. There were so many conflicting reports at the time, because there was so much panic and chaos and those who experienced it were understandably in shock. Given that, it's understandable that there are going to be different accounts given by the survivors.
I very much enjoyed reading a then current report of events on the tragedy. While reading history from a perspective of looking back on it is useful in its own way, being able to see events through the eyes of those who actually lived them is irreplaceable and invaluable.
I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the Titanic and the events surrounding this great and memorable ship and the part it played in history.
Although there are a few details that have now been confirmed as happening differently than the author reports, (the main one being that the ship went down in one piece, when we now know that it broke in two), in my opinion this in no way diminishes this work. The reader must remember that this account was written a month or so after the disaster, and as with any historic event, more details always come to light as time goes by. There were so many conflicting reports at the time, because there was so much panic and chaos and those who experienced it were understandably in shock. Given that, it's understandable that there are going to be different accounts given by the survivors.
I very much enjoyed reading a then current report of events on the tragedy. While reading history from a perspective of looking back on it is useful in its own way, being able to see events through the eyes of those who actually lived them is irreplaceable and invaluable.
I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in the Titanic and the events surrounding this great and memorable ship and the part it played in history.
December 8, 2011
This book is interesting as a historical document, being published the same year as the actual sinking of the Titanic. Unfortunately it also seems to be the precursor to many of the urban legends that have built up around the tragic voyage and contains detail that has since been disproven (such as the fact that the Titanic split above the water rather than sinking in one piece).
This doesn't dampen your enjoyment of the text, as it is a reflection of its time. What did annoy me, however, was the amount of pity it had for Bruce Ismay, even suggesting that one should feel sorry for him more than anybody else. I think the victims of the Titanic would disagree with that.
This doesn't dampen your enjoyment of the text, as it is a reflection of its time. What did annoy me, however, was the amount of pity it had for Bruce Ismay, even suggesting that one should feel sorry for him more than anybody else. I think the victims of the Titanic would disagree with that.
May 26, 2012
This book was written right after the Titanic disaster and gives more details and information than I have found elsewhere. My Grandma and I used to read books and watch everything we could about the Titanic, she would have devoured this book, as I did.
February 10, 2018
سفينة تيتانيك كان عليها تقريبا 2230 شخصاً, تم إنقاذ 706 شخص فقط, يعني 1500 شخصا لقو حتفهم ..!
في أحداث الفيلم مات تقريباً أغلب من كانوا على السفينة بسبب الغرق أما بطل الفيلم (ليوناردو دي كابريو) مات بعد ساعات بسبب البرد القارص وليس الغرق ..! كل من شاهد الفيلم لم يشعر بأي نوع من التعاطف اتجاه المئات الذين ظهورا في الفيلم يغرقون بالرغم من أن أغلبهم كانوا من النساء والأطفال , وكانت أمنية كل شخص شاهد هذا الفيلم هو أن يعيش البطل والبطلة فقط ..!
لكن هل سألت نفسك لماذا شعرت بالتعاطف مع البطل (اللص.. مدمن الخمر.. لاعب القمار.. زير نساء أحب امرأة مرتبطة) ولم تتعاطف مع المئات من النساء والأطفال وكبار السن الذين ظهروا وهم يغرقون في الفيلم ؟
الجواب 👇
استطاع المخرج أن يسلط الضوء على البطل والبطلة فقط وكأنهما الوحيدان على متن السفينة وجعلك تحبهما وتتعاطف معهما بالرغم من كل عيوبهما وتتناسى بنفس الوقت الأطفال والنساء الذين غرقوا من حوله وكأنهم لا وجود لهم
الرسالة المهمة من القصة دي إنه من يمتلك القدرة على توجيه الناس على أشياء بعينها ممكن ينجح في تزييف وعيهم عن المشهد الحقيقي آللي بيدور حواليهم ومش حاسين بيه
في أحداث الفيلم مات تقريباً أغلب من كانوا على السفينة بسبب الغرق أما بطل الفيلم (ليوناردو دي كابريو) مات بعد ساعات بسبب البرد القارص وليس الغرق ..! كل من شاهد الفيلم لم يشعر بأي نوع من التعاطف اتجاه المئات الذين ظهورا في الفيلم يغرقون بالرغم من أن أغلبهم كانوا من النساء والأطفال , وكانت أمنية كل شخص شاهد هذا الفيلم هو أن يعيش البطل والبطلة فقط ..!
لكن هل سألت نفسك لماذا شعرت بالتعاطف مع البطل (اللص.. مدمن الخمر.. لاعب القمار.. زير نساء أحب امرأة مرتبطة) ولم تتعاطف مع المئات من النساء والأطفال وكبار السن الذين ظهروا وهم يغرقون في الفيلم ؟
الجواب 👇
استطاع المخرج أن يسلط الضوء على البطل والبطلة فقط وكأنهما الوحيدان على متن السفينة وجعلك تحبهما وتتعاطف معهما بالرغم من كل عيوبهما وتتناسى بنفس الوقت الأطفال والنساء الذين غرقوا من حوله وكأنهم لا وجود لهم
الرسالة المهمة من القصة دي إنه من يمتلك القدرة على توجيه الناس على أشياء بعينها ممكن ينجح في تزييف وعيهم عن المشهد الحقيقي آللي بيدور حواليهم ومش حاسين بيه
January 13, 2020
Filson Young's book was written just a little over a month after the Titanic's sinking, and is thus a very interesting document by a contemporary. The style of the book is curiously divided, highly poetic, evocative and rather slow at the beginning and end, while in the middle parts more fast-moving (perhaps too much so) and thriller-like. First I thought it disjointed but grew to like it.
While there are many books on the subject with more detailed research on everything related to it, for a one written so soon after the disaster it's in my opinion a rather excellent accomplishment. I loved the authors poetic style when describing the vessel's construction, life on the ship and the social microcosm the ship carried, and the harrowing description of the ship finally going down. Not one of the most detailed (which is understandable given the short time in which it was written; the demand for a book must have been high) accounts, but a highly enjoyable read nevertheless.
While there are many books on the subject with more detailed research on everything related to it, for a one written so soon after the disaster it's in my opinion a rather excellent accomplishment. I loved the authors poetic style when describing the vessel's construction, life on the ship and the social microcosm the ship carried, and the harrowing description of the ship finally going down. Not one of the most detailed (which is understandable given the short time in which it was written; the demand for a book must have been high) accounts, but a highly enjoyable read nevertheless.
August 14, 2019
The story about Titanic the ship that could not sink.
January 7, 2015
This traumatising event that was written so soon after it occurred has a brilliance that is lacking in the memoirs of today.
His description of the events, the Titanic, the sinking and the utter devastation suffered is unbelieveable. Never have I read something so moving.
Anyone that has the slightest interest in the Titanic will adore this encounter. It should be on the list of the best Titanic accounts, even if his story differs from what we know to be true with regards to the boats end.
His writing captured me. When describing the beauty of the boat and it's contents. The comparison between the layout of the boat and society. I have no idea how he managed to get the figures and data so accurate, so soon after the event. The memoir is well plotted and I can honestly say, although a short read, one of the best books i've read.
His description of the events, the Titanic, the sinking and the utter devastation suffered is unbelieveable. Never have I read something so moving.
Anyone that has the slightest interest in the Titanic will adore this encounter. It should be on the list of the best Titanic accounts, even if his story differs from what we know to be true with regards to the boats end.
His writing captured me. When describing the beauty of the boat and it's contents. The comparison between the layout of the boat and society. I have no idea how he managed to get the figures and data so accurate, so soon after the event. The memoir is well plotted and I can honestly say, although a short read, one of the best books i've read.
April 22, 2012
I don't really think there is much I can say about this book.
It is a non-fiction account of the Titanic's maiden voyage, with imagined elements mixed in (such as the emotions 'our traveller' would feel). There's nothing really new in this book, nothing other than a basic account of what happened.
I can't say I was disappointed by this book, because there were a few interesting facts (such as how close some of the other boats who didn't come to help were) as well as the statistics at the end. However, it didn't interest me in the ways other Titanic books have done and didn't stir any emotion. I gather it's not supposed to.
Overall, this book is alright, but nothing special and not really anything that people didn't already know.
It is a non-fiction account of the Titanic's maiden voyage, with imagined elements mixed in (such as the emotions 'our traveller' would feel). There's nothing really new in this book, nothing other than a basic account of what happened.
I can't say I was disappointed by this book, because there were a few interesting facts (such as how close some of the other boats who didn't come to help were) as well as the statistics at the end. However, it didn't interest me in the ways other Titanic books have done and didn't stir any emotion. I gather it's not supposed to.
Overall, this book is alright, but nothing special and not really anything that people didn't already know.
November 6, 2019
This read was a breeze. The tone it was written in and the context and perspective that the author provides gives first hand experience of what happened onboard. Some proud moment, some pale ones testing the limits of human innovation and endurance explained in a none before heard literature. Loved reading the book just for the language.
"The Titanic was in more senses than one a fool’s paradise. There is nothing that man can build that nature cannot destroy, and far as he may advance in might and knowledge and cunning, her blind strength will always be more than his match. But men easily forget this; they wish to forget it; and the beautiful and comfortable and agreeable equipment of this ship helped them to forget it."
"The Titanic was in more senses than one a fool’s paradise. There is nothing that man can build that nature cannot destroy, and far as he may advance in might and knowledge and cunning, her blind strength will always be more than his match. But men easily forget this; they wish to forget it; and the beautiful and comfortable and agreeable equipment of this ship helped them to forget it."
September 21, 2012
An important book written contemporaneously with the actual event. Poignant and understated but undeniably carrying the import and impact of 1,503 souls silenced and what faced the 700 odd survivors. Rich and poor drowned alongside each other or sat "cheek by jowl" next to each other in the lifeboats. Not only was this book the first written about that cold Mid-Atlantic night in April, it is one of the best without fictionalized details padding the story for dramatic effect or fleshing out the story.
February 16, 2013
Loved it. So immediate as if you were really there. Saw the Titanic artifact exhibit in Victoria & Vegas so learning more of the details so soon after the tragedy allowed you to be immersed in that time period. I especially was struck by the men in the Marconi room and the "stokers" who continued right up to the end. And then to contrast this tragedy with the Carnivale cruise ship incident in the Gulf of Mexico, it's almost as if big ship builders can't ever get it right. Think I'll stick to land travel....or bring an inflatable kayak.
January 1, 2017
I find books on the titanic really interesting and this is no exception especially as it was written by a journalist and published just 37 days after the titanic sunk. It's extremely factual and detailed about the things they knew at that time and it's also incredible to think how much we have learned since especially in recent years. Currently free on Amazon so definitely worth reading.
November 20, 2011
The details this books bring on the tragic ship are amazing. I saw myself walking the desk, dining, sleep, and exercising with the other patrons on board. At first I thought it'd be a story but really learning about the ship was interesting.
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September 23, 2015Story is about the tragic Titanic voyage through and I see ocean sale with a bunch of ice and one second everything was fine and the next moment and iceberg had stroke the side of The ship and the ship started to sink and a bunch of people died and it was really emotional for other families.
March 6, 2019
(Recensione basata su un'edizione di pubblico dominio in lingua originale).
Dopo alcuni anni di reperimento d'informazioni contrastanti sulla natura di una delle prime cronache sulla storia del transatlantico "Titanic", temo di dovermi arrendere a una generale impressione ambivalente. Un giornalista che dà un colpo al cerchio e un colpo alla botte.
Se la prima parte del testo possiede una certa classe nel sedurre con le parole a mo' di pittura e al tempo stesso storcere il naso sul lusso ostentato, la seconda parte si unisce mestamente alla piaggeria militarista e razzista del colonnello Archibald Gracie. (Tra le varie nazionalità che i galantuomini in questione non si può dir gradissero, gli italiani stavano alti in classifica).
Dei migranti anche qui si fa menzione per forza e appena. E' vero che viene riportato in cifre il destino di passeggeri ed equipaggio, ma vista l'epoca� sarà credibile?
Buona parte del finale del libro è dedicata alla carriera di Filson Young come storico.
Con tutto il dovuto rispetto, non posso evitare di considerarlo un sipario d'auto idolatria pagana per nulla celato.
Argomento così quindi ancora una volta tre stelle.
Dopo alcuni anni di reperimento d'informazioni contrastanti sulla natura di una delle prime cronache sulla storia del transatlantico "Titanic", temo di dovermi arrendere a una generale impressione ambivalente. Un giornalista che dà un colpo al cerchio e un colpo alla botte.
Se la prima parte del testo possiede una certa classe nel sedurre con le parole a mo' di pittura e al tempo stesso storcere il naso sul lusso ostentato, la seconda parte si unisce mestamente alla piaggeria militarista e razzista del colonnello Archibald Gracie. (Tra le varie nazionalità che i galantuomini in questione non si può dir gradissero, gli italiani stavano alti in classifica).
Dei migranti anche qui si fa menzione per forza e appena. E' vero che viene riportato in cifre il destino di passeggeri ed equipaggio, ma vista l'epoca� sarà credibile?
Buona parte del finale del libro è dedicata alla carriera di Filson Young come storico.
Con tutto il dovuto rispetto, non posso evitare di considerarlo un sipario d'auto idolatria pagana per nulla celato.
Argomento così quindi ancora una volta tre stelle.
November 4, 2022
Το μικρό αυτό βιβλίο, εκδόθηκε μόλις πέντε εβδομάδες μετά το τραγικό συμβάν της βύθισης του Τιτανικού στα παγωμένα νερά του Ατλαντικού, οπότε τα γεγονότα ήταν ακόμα φρέσκα στο αναγνωστικό κοινό και, φυσικά, στο μυαλό του συγγραφέα, που έγραψε ένα αρκετά γλαφυρό και ενδιαφέρον χρονικό του Τιτανικού, από την αρχή του μέχρι το άδοξο τέλος του. Η γραφή μου φάνηκε πολύ καλή, σίγουρα προϊόν της εποχής και της (αγγλικής) σχολής της, με τις περιγραφές ο Γιανγκ κατάφερε να με βάλει μέσα στο πλοίο, ανάμεσα στους εκατοντάδες επιβάτες και τα μέλη του πληρώματος, που (στην πλειοψηφία τους) έζησαν κάποιες ωραίες στιγμές μέχρι να έρθει η απόλυτη καταστροφή. Υποθέτω από τότε θα έχουν γραφτεί πολλά άλλα βιβλία για το θέμα, πιο μεγάλα και με περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες για την κατασκευή του Τιτανικού και για την πορεία του μέχρι τη βύθισή του, όμως αυτό είναι χρονικά το πιο κοντινό στα τραγικά γεγονότα. Αξίζει μια ανάγνωση.
August 25, 2019
2.5 rating.
I mean, yes, it’s interesting because it was written so soon after the incident and it has a lot of detailed information about what happened on board. Alas, however, it is actually incredibly boring and not grabbing at all. The style is soooooo dull and it seemed like the author bored himself, too.
Because of these reasons, I actually skipped some parts and only read a couple of chapters.
To be honest, I’d save yourself the bother and read actual accounts of people who were aboard the ship (Archibald Grace etc.)
I mean, yes, it’s interesting because it was written so soon after the incident and it has a lot of detailed information about what happened on board. Alas, however, it is actually incredibly boring and not grabbing at all. The style is soooooo dull and it seemed like the author bored himself, too.
Because of these reasons, I actually skipped some parts and only read a couple of chapters.
To be honest, I’d save yourself the bother and read actual accounts of people who were aboard the ship (Archibald Grace etc.)
January 18, 2021
I read this book to get an authentic story of The Titanic’s maiden voyage and that’s what Filson Young delivered, with this book published a mere 37 days later in 1912 and based on interviews with survivors.
He is an Englishman from 1912 so naturally his (correct) use of the language is a bit different to a modern American. So I did have to reread passages to make sure I understood what he was saying.
I think he did a great job capturing the splendor, the mood, and the tragedy. I recommend the book to likeminded readers. It is short, about 107 pages on Kindle.
He is an Englishman from 1912 so naturally his (correct) use of the language is a bit different to a modern American. So I did have to reread passages to make sure I understood what he was saying.
I think he did a great job capturing the splendor, the mood, and the tragedy. I recommend the book to likeminded readers. It is short, about 107 pages on Kindle.
September 10, 2018
My lifelong fascination with the sinking of this ship does not seem to be waning. Every year or two, I add a few more accounts to the very long list of accounts I have already read, even recycling the best. I am not entirely sure why I do this. This was my first time through this particular one and I did get some perspective I have not come across before. I do not however believe that everything that is written here is true, but it makes a good story.
April 3, 2025
As stated in the printed review from ŷ, this is the earliest accounting of the sinking of the Titanic...published just a little over a month after the tragedy. A young journalist who knew some of the people who were on board wrote the book based on the interviews with survivors. Very interesting and added just a little more to the small amount of facts and information that I have learned over the years.
March 26, 2018
A very interesting and insightful read made even more so when you learn that the original publication was issued a little more than a month after the sinking of the Titanic. With a reporter's experience, Mr Young got most of the facts straight although the account of Capt Smiths handing over an infant to a lifeboat then swimming off to his demise is an acocryphal one.
January 8, 2019
Finally got a copy
I've been wanting to read this book. I will read it again at a later date. This book was first printed in 1912. When the Titanic exhibit came to town I bought a book as a keepsake. That new book quoted THIS book for the tally of survivors etc... seen at the end of this book.
I've been wanting to read this book. I will read it again at a later date. This book was first printed in 1912. When the Titanic exhibit came to town I bought a book as a keepsake. That new book quoted THIS book for the tally of survivors etc... seen at the end of this book.
September 1, 2019
For the first book written after the tragedy, it was illuminating from the standpoint of the crew & the supposed unsinkability of the Titanic. However, was hoping for an engrossing story as was Dead Wake by Erik Larson where one feels as though you are a passenger on the ship. Worthwhile reading none the less.
December 6, 2023
This book gives a fascinating view of a well known disaster through the eyes of the passengers. The story doesn't just focus on the wealthy well-known passengers but like at the lives of all the classes on the Titanic as well as the various people who worked on the ship. This book puts a human face to the victims.
April 30, 2024
Ένα συναρπαστικό ανάγνωσμα. Μια ξενάγηση στο εσωτερικό του πλοίου, όπως ήταν πριν την πρόσκρουση με το παγόβουνο, και αφηγήσεις τον γεγονότων από τους επιζώντες κατά την διάρκεια της βύθισής του. Με έκανε να ανατριχιάσω. Κρίμα που ο συγγραφέας δεν κατάφερε να βρει περισσότερες πληροφορίες και μαρτυρίες. Θα ήθελα να διαβάσω περισσότερα.
November 8, 2020
Written just over a month after titanic sank, it goes into detail about the life of the titanic from being built to sinking. I liked how he focused on all people on the boat equally from crew to first class passengers
March 8, 2017
This book was ok there were good parts and bad parts it was cool to know how much it ways
September 18, 2017
This book is an ok book. The movie is way better than the book. I don't suggest reading this book due to how it got boring real fast.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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