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Titanic: an Illustrated History
A popular gift volume featuring dozens of meticulously accurate, full-color paintings--including a fold-out illustration of the whole Titanic--offers a wealth of information about the "unsinkable" cruise ship and its fatal voyage.
227 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
September 27, 2015
This is a rather sad review for me to write. My grandmother who was born the day the Titanic sunk (or hit the iceberg) was always fascinated by the Titanic. It meant something to her. I saw this book in a catalog and I ordered it for her for Christmas one year and sent it to her.
Unfortunately, she was ill and the book was too heavy for her. I heard that she looked at the cover and said it looked good, she'd read it someday.
She didn't survive much longer and she never got to read the book.
I ended up getting it back eventually and I read it.
And really, really liked it. I will always keep it as it is not just a good, informative picture book, it reminds me of Grandma.
Unfortunately, she was ill and the book was too heavy for her. I heard that she looked at the cover and said it looked good, she'd read it someday.
She didn't survive much longer and she never got to read the book.
I ended up getting it back eventually and I read it.
And really, really liked it. I will always keep it as it is not just a good, informative picture book, it reminds me of Grandma.
February 5, 2020
An outstanding book about the Titanic. Ken Marschall's paintings are amazing.
March 31, 2012
If you are a Titanic fan, this book will excite you.
Donald Lynch has the greatest job I could ever wish for. He has spent years researching and interviewing Titanic survivors and family of survivors.
This book's acutal photos of individuals are spooky to me. Even those who survived. The eyes seem to look right through me.
I am particularly curious about one of the facts mentioned on Page 194 of the book.
"More speculative still are the stories of a large gold shipment on board. One perpetuator of this legend was Storekeeper Frank Prentice, who years later would recall helping to bring gold and silver bars aboard. Researches point out that the cargo manifest does not show such a shipment, though this fact does not necessarily eliminate the possibility that gold was carried. Gold shipments made as part of the balance of trade between England and the United States were regularly sent on Royal Mail Steamers as part of the mail, and so not charged as cargo. Unfortunately, The Bank of England seals its records for one hundred years. If indeed such a shipment existed, it was a secret kept from the news-hungry journalists of 1912."
With this information in hand, I am wondering if anyone is requesting to see the sealed records? Time is just about up.
I continue to enjoy reading about the Titanic and will forever remain curious about the people who perished and those who survived.
Donald Lynch has the greatest job I could ever wish for. He has spent years researching and interviewing Titanic survivors and family of survivors.
This book's acutal photos of individuals are spooky to me. Even those who survived. The eyes seem to look right through me.
I am particularly curious about one of the facts mentioned on Page 194 of the book.
"More speculative still are the stories of a large gold shipment on board. One perpetuator of this legend was Storekeeper Frank Prentice, who years later would recall helping to bring gold and silver bars aboard. Researches point out that the cargo manifest does not show such a shipment, though this fact does not necessarily eliminate the possibility that gold was carried. Gold shipments made as part of the balance of trade between England and the United States were regularly sent on Royal Mail Steamers as part of the mail, and so not charged as cargo. Unfortunately, The Bank of England seals its records for one hundred years. If indeed such a shipment existed, it was a secret kept from the news-hungry journalists of 1912."
With this information in hand, I am wondering if anyone is requesting to see the sealed records? Time is just about up.
I continue to enjoy reading about the Titanic and will forever remain curious about the people who perished and those who survived.
August 12, 2013
This was James Cameron’s main source for his film Titanic, and it shows, both in his imagery and writing, often not just sourced but out right copied form here – pictures of the ship as it went down and lines such as “the sheets had never been slept in”.
The book is AMAZING. The writing style is this perfect type of up-to-the-second on the ground present-past tense that makes you feel as though you are right there, full off suspense of who will survive, and very well researched, chock-a-block full of primary sources, from pamphlets to tickets to newspapers to china plates to dresses to, of course, witness statements.
We follow the ship from inception to planning to building, to loading of passengers, to the voyage, to the fateful night, painstakingly detailed by the second, to the grisly aftermath, both that night, the next day, the days and weeks that followed, and what happened to everyone and to the ship and to her legacy in the years and decades that followed.
Very thorough, very well researched, excellently presented. Highly recommended to anyone looking to a great source of material on that tragic ship.
April 6, 2019
For the month of April, I put together a library program all about the R.M.S. Titanic. This book was a wonderful source full of pictures, facts, and personal accounts. I decided to read it cover to cover outside of work since it fit into my 2019 book challenge. It was, by far, the most fascinating (and accurate) book about the events of the tragedy.
James Cameron called this book his "bible" and used it for research when making "Titanic" (which is beautifully accurate). While reading this book, I stumbled across an entire page dedicated to a large wooden panel above the first floor dining room; it is obvious from the photographs that this was the "door" featured in the 1997 film. It was a really awesome moment.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to study the RMS Titanic.
James Cameron called this book his "bible" and used it for research when making "Titanic" (which is beautifully accurate). While reading this book, I stumbled across an entire page dedicated to a large wooden panel above the first floor dining room; it is obvious from the photographs that this was the "door" featured in the 1997 film. It was a really awesome moment.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to study the RMS Titanic.
June 2, 2022
No one ever dreamed that her first voyage would also be her last. To the elegantly dressed first-class passengers who swept down the Grand Staircase on their way to dinner, the Titanic seemed to be the ultimate in comfort and security. But only hours later the greatest ship ever built would lie on the bottom of the Atlantic and her few surviving passengers would be left shivering in lifeboats. Now the complete story of the "unsinkable" Titanic --- from her construction and launch to her sinking and rediscovery --- is told in words and hundreds of pictures in one magnificent, lavishly illustrated volume.
March 4, 2014
Probably one of, if not, my favorite Titanic book. Don Lynch did a fantastic job of bringing all the elements of why Titanic is so fascinating! The construction, the people on board, the stories told, the disaster, and the aftermath. The pictures are also excellent!
If you're a Titanic nut, this is the book for you!
If you're a Titanic nut, this is the book for you!
June 7, 2024
I found this book at one of the Little Free Libraries and thought it might be interesting. I knew very little about the Titanic before I started this book, and I learned a lot. This has photographs, paintings, and diagrams that give all the details about this magnificent ship. There is background information and descriptions of the people who were involved. Then we have the story of what actually happened on the fateful day, and the various problems and mistakes that in totality made such a disaster possible.
Then we have the story of the rescue and the aftermath. It is a book with many pictures but the history is fascinating reading. So many small errors come together to end with a huge loss of lives. If just a few things had gone differently, the situation might have been avoided, or if not, might have ended with far fewer lives lost.
From that day forward, there were several rules changed and safety measures enacted in order that a ship might never again have so many lives lost.
Then we have the story of the rescue and the aftermath. It is a book with many pictures but the history is fascinating reading. So many small errors come together to end with a huge loss of lives. If just a few things had gone differently, the situation might have been avoided, or if not, might have ended with far fewer lives lost.
From that day forward, there were several rules changed and safety measures enacted in order that a ship might never again have so many lives lost.
February 9, 2019
In accoppiata con il libro di W. Lord, fornisce una visione esauriente del disastro del Titanic. In più, fornisce dettagli riguardo la costruzione della nave, la sua struttura, il processo che seguí il naufragio e le ricerche del relitto. Interessantissima la presenza di molte fotografie d’epoca, sia relative alla nave che ai passeggeri.
Infine, nell’appendice vengono citati alcuni dei personaggi che si sono salvati e viene raccontato brevemente il proseguimento della loro vita dopo l’esperienza sul Titanic.
Infine, nell’appendice vengono citati alcuni dei personaggi che si sono salvati e viene raccontato brevemente il proseguimento della loro vita dopo l’esperienza sul Titanic.
August 27, 2012
I decided to read this book because we were in the library and I needed a book to read so I read this.
It completes the "a book with themes related to those we've studied in term 3". I enjoyed this bingo board slot because we are watching the movie in class so it gives me a deeper knowledge of the disaster. This means I may be able to benefit from this in future tests and assessments. I found this slot interesting because the opinion from the book is well illustrated in the movie.
My favorite quote from this book was the quote that was allegedly said when they spotted the iceberg just ahead, it was: "ICEBERG!!" I like this because its straight to the point but also shows urgency.
Something new I learned was that there was only enough lifeboats on board for half the amount of people on the ship. This is absolutely shocking and no doubt had there been more, more life's would've been saved that fateful night.
A setting I found interesting was when the iceberg hit the vessel and how most of the people on board didn't realize the danger to the boat at the time it hit. They only did later.
Pretty decent book, but it's such a sad thought thinking about what should have happened instead.
It completes the "a book with themes related to those we've studied in term 3". I enjoyed this bingo board slot because we are watching the movie in class so it gives me a deeper knowledge of the disaster. This means I may be able to benefit from this in future tests and assessments. I found this slot interesting because the opinion from the book is well illustrated in the movie.
My favorite quote from this book was the quote that was allegedly said when they spotted the iceberg just ahead, it was: "ICEBERG!!" I like this because its straight to the point but also shows urgency.
Something new I learned was that there was only enough lifeboats on board for half the amount of people on the ship. This is absolutely shocking and no doubt had there been more, more life's would've been saved that fateful night.
A setting I found interesting was when the iceberg hit the vessel and how most of the people on board didn't realize the danger to the boat at the time it hit. They only did later.
Pretty decent book, but it's such a sad thought thinking about what should have happened instead.
September 3, 2016
A detailed and beautifully illustrated look into the tragic disaster, the Titanic.
I don't read many non-fiction books. If I'm curious about something I'll google it and read a few articles online. But my parents picked this book up from an op-shop one day and I was actually very intrigued by it. I know plenty about the Titanic, I grew up with the stories, I learned about it in school, I went to the exhibit they had a few years back at the Melbourne Museum, I've seen the movie. But, at the end of the day, my knowledge about what actually happened that fateful night was very incomplete.
I've learned so much from this book, it's fueled my hatred for the tragedy, knowing how preventable it was. And I loved reading about some of the passengers, how they ended up on the liner, what they did the night it sunk, and if they survived, how their lives were following the disaster. This book really was an all around look at everything Titanic.
It's strange to think that, my whole life, if I think something is doomed to sink or fail, I'll nickname it Titanic. But once upon a time that name was chosen to represent something that was supposed to be unsinkable. Amazing.
I don't read many non-fiction books. If I'm curious about something I'll google it and read a few articles online. But my parents picked this book up from an op-shop one day and I was actually very intrigued by it. I know plenty about the Titanic, I grew up with the stories, I learned about it in school, I went to the exhibit they had a few years back at the Melbourne Museum, I've seen the movie. But, at the end of the day, my knowledge about what actually happened that fateful night was very incomplete.
I've learned so much from this book, it's fueled my hatred for the tragedy, knowing how preventable it was. And I loved reading about some of the passengers, how they ended up on the liner, what they did the night it sunk, and if they survived, how their lives were following the disaster. This book really was an all around look at everything Titanic.
It's strange to think that, my whole life, if I think something is doomed to sink or fail, I'll nickname it Titanic. But once upon a time that name was chosen to represent something that was supposed to be unsinkable. Amazing.
March 17, 2009
I've never seen the movie, but have been fascinated with the story of Titanic since I was a young girl (I think it stems from the anniversary of the disaster always being near my birthday). This book was so great to read because it had so many illustrations and pictures. It was just what I was looking for. Lots of details and facts, not too much fluff. While reading it I remember thinking that someone should make a movie so we could see in true detail all the amazing features, then remembered oh yeah, someone did make a movie!
This was written before the movie came out so it was kind of funny to read the end, talking about the older movies that were made regarding the ship and all the publicity that came from them.
If you are interested at all in the story of the ship, I highly suggest you read this. If you just want to hear about the sad stories of people who died you won't find as much on that in this book, but there is some.
This was written before the movie came out so it was kind of funny to read the end, talking about the older movies that were made regarding the ship and all the publicity that came from them.
If you are interested at all in the story of the ship, I highly suggest you read this. If you just want to hear about the sad stories of people who died you won't find as much on that in this book, but there is some.
December 28, 2018
A beautifully illustrated and detailed history of the RMS Titanic. Of course the story of the doomed voyage has been told and retold many times, but here, the paintings and photos are what set this volume apart. There are great, sweeping paintings that show the grandeur of the ship, and also smaller, more intimate photos that give readers an entry into the many other stories of the passengers and crew. For instance, one that caught my attention was a tennis star who was coming to America for a tour. When he realized he would not make it off the ship alive, he spent his final hours in the ship's gymnasium on the rowing machine. The two photos and captions tell his succinct story, which I never would have known otherwise. The final sections of the book, which detail the undersea voyages to rediscover the Titanic, are also stunning in the clarity of the images. Both beautiful and informative, this book is valuable to anyone with interest in the Titanic.
June 6, 2018
This book has a lot of pictures so it's easier for me to read. It's a compelling story about a yacht caught in a storm with chunks of ice. The submarine crashes into the icebooger and all hell breaks loose. The ironic thing about this boat is it had a swimming pool. If only the White Star Line would've known how much it would not have been needed, they could've saved some money. Most of the people did not drown when it sank. Instead they were either swallowed by a shark or impaled by King Tritons trident. One interesting thing to point out to is that this is one of the only things you can't blame President Trump for. So if you're looking for a book that will leave you wanting more and wondering "what if?" I'd recommend another book but atleast look this one over. God Bless You.
September 4, 2023
This was a good book. A lot of common repetitive information that I already knew or had learned. But there were quite a few interesting points I learned about the voyage - in particular that there was another boat possibly in the area the night of the sinking that could have saved possibly everyone and a lot about the aftermath and changes the event stirred. Plus the photography was really interesting to look at.
Found the book at my summer book sale I always go to and couldn’t pass it up!
“A popular gift volume featuring dozens of meticulously accurate, full-color paintings--including a fold-out illustration of the whole Titanic--offers a wealth of information about the "unsinkable" cruise ship and its fatal voyage. Reprint.”
Found the book at my summer book sale I always go to and couldn’t pass it up!
“A popular gift volume featuring dozens of meticulously accurate, full-color paintings--including a fold-out illustration of the whole Titanic--offers a wealth of information about the "unsinkable" cruise ship and its fatal voyage. Reprint.”
May 22, 2012
I bought this book mainly for the truly gorgeous artwork by Ken Marschall. As it turns out, the book also comes with a comprehensive account of the facts that led to the construction of the TITANIC as well as what happened after the sinking.
I can only recommend this wonderful book.
Also, this was the book James Cameron used to sell his film to Warner. You'll be surprised to see how much stuff from the film was taken from this book, and even the images of the ship in the film resemble a lot the paintings of Ken Marschall.
This is definitely a "must have" for anyone interested in the history and the story of TITANIC.
I can only recommend this wonderful book.
Also, this was the book James Cameron used to sell his film to Warner. You'll be surprised to see how much stuff from the film was taken from this book, and even the images of the ship in the film resemble a lot the paintings of Ken Marschall.
This is definitely a "must have" for anyone interested in the history and the story of TITANIC.
January 31, 2022
If you are looking for just one book to get the full story of the Titanic and its history, passengers, legacy and aftermath. This is the one!
Full of illustrations by Ken Marschall who is by far the best artist of the Titanic along with many period photos this book is a feast for the eyes.
Each chapter tells a story: from the birth of the ship to that fateful night in 1912, the Senate investigations afterwards, the hearings in Britain, to the eventual discovery by Robert Ballard of the ship laying at the bottom of the sea. Don Lynch offers great text along the way to help put everything into its proper perspective.
Fantastic.
Full of illustrations by Ken Marschall who is by far the best artist of the Titanic along with many period photos this book is a feast for the eyes.
Each chapter tells a story: from the birth of the ship to that fateful night in 1912, the Senate investigations afterwards, the hearings in Britain, to the eventual discovery by Robert Ballard of the ship laying at the bottom of the sea. Don Lynch offers great text along the way to help put everything into its proper perspective.
Fantastic.
May 14, 2024
I picked this up recently at a used book sale, mostly because I liked the sheer amount of pictures and illustrations that were included. The paintings by Ken Marschall were beautiful and extremely detailed and helped to bring the Titanic back to life.
The narrative is the standard Titanic story with a great emphasis on the sinking and aftermath. It would have been nice if there was more included about life aboard the ship before the sinking but overall it was a solid book. Quick and easy to read with lots of pictures to enhance the reading experience and provide context. I only wish there were more paintings by Ken Marschall included as they were incredible.
The narrative is the standard Titanic story with a great emphasis on the sinking and aftermath. It would have been nice if there was more included about life aboard the ship before the sinking but overall it was a solid book. Quick and easy to read with lots of pictures to enhance the reading experience and provide context. I only wish there were more paintings by Ken Marschall included as they were incredible.
September 29, 2013
Titanic: an Illustrated History by Donald Lynch is an amazing book that you should read! It is a non-fiction book about the Titanic with wonderful pictures and lots of information. I have read other books about the Titanic but none are as good as this one! In the book it talks about people who were on the Titanic and there stories, the crew members, what rooms were in it and what was in the rooms, it even talks about her sister ships-the Olympic and the Britannic, and much more! If you are interested in the Titanic, or even want to read something new, you should read this book.
February 25, 2019
Wonderful drawings and photos of the Titantic. The chapters are great from the building of the Titantic to its wreck, and than its discovery. There is something that pulls my chain, the Allison story in which I read in other books of the Titantic. The would be nurse takes the baby, while leaving the mother, father and daughter to their fate". The father Hudson of course was in a daze, so he didn’t recognize her, mother in hysterics. Couldn’t the nurse have brought the mom and daughter to the lifeboats.
Besides that, this book was written well with great details.
Besides that, this book was written well with great details.
February 4, 2022
This is a good recounting of the Titanic disaster, complete with photos of the ship and beautiful illustrations of its sinking and the wreck at the bottom of the Atlantic. It's full of details, including the human mistakes that all led to the ship's collision with the ice berg and sinking on the night of April 14-15, 1912. For a fuller accounting, I recommend the 1998 book, "Unsinkable: The Full Story of the RMS Titanic" by Daniel Allen Butler. And next time you're in Pigeon Forge, TN, visit the Titanic Museum, which we enjoyed last year with our daughter and her family!
December 30, 2024
This book is really, really cool. Lots of interesting pictures, including more lifeboat pictures after the sinking, which is, of course, something that has plagued me since I was a wee lass. This is an excellent resource for Titanic studies... it could be almost a textbook. Truly a wonderful book.
added 12/29/24 - while I continue to wait for it to be reprinted, I purchased a copy for school so the kids could have one to look at. It still holds up very well!
added 12/29/24 - while I continue to wait for it to be reprinted, I purchased a copy for school so the kids could have one to look at. It still holds up very well!
November 6, 2023
This is the book that started my fascination with the Titanic. I remember picking it up in my school library and being drawn in by the stunning paintings by Ken Marschall. Lynch's passion and love of the Titanic story is clear on every page. He covers Titanic's full timeline, from it being dreamed up by Ismay right up to the fascination it still holds today. It's a brilliant book and a perfect start for anyone wanting to learn about the Titanic.
May 3, 2024
I've seen around two dozen documentaries on Titanic, several featuring Don Lynch, but there was still a lot of new information for me in this book. I did skip the chapters on the sinking itself and the discovery, since those are the focus of so many other books and docs that I just couldn't drag myself through more. The choice of illustrations was not always the best imo, which is the reason I deducted a star, but this is well worth it for the text alone.
March 15, 2010
As soon as I saw this book in the bookstore, I put it on layaway ( a little expensive but well worth the price). Don Lynch did a thorough job with his research and telling the tragic story. This was my first of many Titanic books purchased over the years and the best - for the detailed information, photos and illustrations. A must for every Titanic history buff.
October 6, 2010
I'm very interested in the whole Titanic thing; the history of the ship and all, but mostly the people that were onboard. To read about they way their lives ended and their dreams were crushed, is very interesting, but at the same time very heart breakening. This is an excellent book for anyone who's interested in Titanic.
September 14, 2011
(1) This book fits under the "Graphic Novel" category.
(2) I read it because I wanted to read more books so I just randomly picked it up and read it.
(3) I liked the pictures in the book. The fitted the story.
(4) I didn't like how everything happened so fast in the book.
(5) I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Titanic.
(2) I read it because I wanted to read more books so I just randomly picked it up and read it.
(3) I liked the pictures in the book. The fitted the story.
(4) I didn't like how everything happened so fast in the book.
(5) I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Titanic.
June 11, 2015
I got into a HUGE Titanic phase when the movie came out and everything I got for Christmas that year revlved around Titanic in some way. This is one of the books I received and I loved all of the pictures. This book brought out my imagination of what happened and got me really into the vastness of the Titanic experience.
August 21, 2016
An excellent resource book on the Titanic. The book takes you from the beginning to the end with some original photos or a photo comparison and some beautiful paintings to describe the outside and the elegant inside. There is plenty of reading on these pages to better understand the grand ship. The reading style was very relatable and made for a nice personal read.
June 3, 2019
This large coffee table size book is excellent for anyone who is fascinated with the Titanic, as I am. There are stories of the passengers and hundreds of pictures both painted and photographed of the inside and the outside of the Titanic. Especially interesting are the stories of the survivors and of the court cases for damages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews