The Titanic Plan

by Michael Bockman, Ron Freeman

100 years ago J. Pierpont Morgan and a group of Wall Street bankers took direct control of the American economy. 100 years ago radical firebrands were conspiring to create a workers revolution. 100 years ago the American government was paralyzed by a bitter political struggle. 100 years ago a great ship sank on her maiden voyage. They said it was an accident. They said it was an error of judgment. They were wrong. ========================================================= On October 16, 1907, the American financial system stood on the brink of collapse after one of the largest investment firms failed because of speculative trading. There was no Federal Reserve to help, no government agencies to prop up the failing institutions. Seeing this as a defining crisis, J. Pierpont Morgan stepped in and organized a consortium of bankers and financiers to support the ailing system until the crisis passed. When it finally did, Morgan vowed that he would do everything in his power to make sure such a calamity never happen again. Set between the years of 1907 to 1912 and inspired by true events, The Titanic Plan tells the story of the many factions of American society as they struggled for power in one of the most dynamic times in the country’s history. The major characters are the giants of that capitalists J. Pierpont Morgan, John Astor, William Vanderbilt; labor leaders Big Bill Haywood and Emma Goldman; and Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft. At the center of it all is Captain Archibald Butt, the Military Aide and close confidant to both Roosevelt and Taft. Captain Butt becomes involved in a deepening intrigue that leads him from the White House, to the anarchist circles in Greenwich Village, to the shadowy halls of the newly created FBI, and finally, to the parlors of the rich and powerful. Amid double-crosses and shifting alliances, Archie Butt witnesses the formulation of a brilliant and dangerous power grab that will lead to the first great disaster of the 20th Century.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Amazon, Thriller, 20th Century

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2011

About the author

Writer and filmmaker Michael Bockman has four produced screenplays to his credits. His feature screenplay about the Beat Generation, Starving Hysterical Naked, is the basis for the short film he directed (available for viewing on YouTube).

Between screenwriting assignments he has written numerous articles that have been published in newspapers and magazines. He has collaborated on three best-selling self-help books with English author Lynne Franks. -- Grow (Hay House), Bloom (Chronicle Books) and The Seed Manifesto (Thorsons). THE TITANIC PLAN is his first novel. He divides his time between Santa Monica, California and Zurich, Switzerland.

Reviews

[Susan Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved THE PLAN. The story, the writing, the characters engaged me from start to finish. And a hefty book it is, over 8100 locations. By my reckoning, that’s somewhere between 160,000 and 200,000 words. Compared to the size of a mystery or western, it’s portly. But THE PLAN is a respectably-sized historical novel. With his rich imagination, Bockman fills in the holes left by history, giving his readers plenty of intrigue, gritty action, surprises, loss, love, and mystery. Bockman’s words flow, his sense of story, unflagging.

The theme of the book is social upheaval, the attempt by powerful financiers at the turn of the twentieth century to manipulate and control commerce in America, contrasted with the gathering storm of the labor movement.

Take the Prologue. It contains the seeds of the whole novel. Picture it, the fall of 1907. J.P. Morgan, in morning suit, bulbous-nosed and full-throated, is singing his favorite hymn. He’s really into it, along with three thousand others, when a messenger hands him a telegram. The news, for anyone else, would be a life changer—the suicide of Morgan’s friend and former head of the Knickerbocker Trust, the institution whose insolvency touched off the Wall Street Panic of 1907. But Morgan continues singing. Punctuating the narration are lines taken from “Rock of Ages.” It is a human portrait of this sharp-eyed financier, a major player in THE PLAN.

And the rest of the novel is as absorbing and full of life as the opening scene.

There are two story lines occurring throughout, held together by the main character, Captain, later, Major Archibald Butt who functions as the plot’s linchpin. In real life he was the military aide to Roosevelt and Taft.

One story deals with Archie’s attempt to find the killer of his friend and fellow soldier in the Civil War, Mick Shaughnessy. It takes him to Greenwich Village, to Washington, to Rome, and traveling back to New York on the Titanic. This story functions separately but is connected through Archie to the second, the attempt by Astor, Vanderbilt, Morgan, and others to control commerce.

THE PLAN pits the worker’s movement against Wall Street barons and has a wealth of characters, presidents and anarchists, painted larger than life. Meet J.P. Morgan, his librarian, Bella da Costa Greene, Teddy Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, Major Archie Butt, John Jacob Astor IV, George Vanderbilt, Emma Goldman, Clara Lemlich, Big Bill Haywood.

Scenes take place on sea and land—in the White House, in a smoky back room of the Brevoort, in the slums of Five Points and The Bend, in McSorley’s Pub in the East Village, and Rome. Major events of the age, like the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire and the sinking of the Titanic, are woven into the story’s fabric in a way that made this reader feel like she was there.

Needless to say it, but I will, anyway: I recommend THE PLAN to anyone who likes to be immersed in a cinematic sweep of another time, to the reader who, aware of the history of American financial and social movements, believes that the past is prelude.

About the Author. Writer and filmmaker Michael Bockman has four produced screenplays to his credits. His feature screenplay about the Beat Generation, Starving Hysterical Naked, is the basis for the short film he directed, available for viewing on YouTube.

Between screenwriting assignments he has written numerous articles that have been published in newspapers and magazines. He has collaborated on three best-selling self-help books with English author Lynne Franks—Grow (Hay House), Bloom (Chronicle Books) and The Seed Manifesto (Thorsons). THE PLAN is his first novel.

THE PLAN by Michael Bockman, Story by Ron Freeman
Copyright © Michael Bockman 2011
ASIN: B0061MS0FI

[Michael Bockman · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, yes, this is my book and I do think highly of it. That being said, it is a multi-leveled exploration of a dynamic time in American history (100 years ago) that mirrors our own in so many ways. I invite you purchase it and discover a rich, exciting story filled with fascinating characters, a grand sweep of history and some eye-opening facts.

TRUE:
100 years ago J. Pierpont Morgan and a group of Wall Street bankers took temporary control of the American economy.
100 years ago radical firebrands were conspiring to create a workers revolution.
100 years ago the American government was paralyzed by a bitter political struggle.
100 years ago a great ship sank on her maiden voyage.
They said it was an accident. They said it was an error of judgment.
They were wrong.

=========================================================

On October 16, 1907, the American financial system stood on the brink of collapse after one of the largest investment firms failed because of speculative trading. There was no Federal Reserve to help, no government agencies to prop up the failing institutions. Seeing this as a defining crisis, J. Pierpont Morgan stepped in and organized a consortium of bankers and financiers to support the ailing system until the crisis passed. When it finally did, Morgan vowed that he would do everything in his power to make sure such a calamity never happen again.

Set between the years of 1907 to 1912 and inspired by true events, The Plan tells the story of the many factions of American society as they struggled for power in one of the most dynamic times in the country’s history. The major characters are the giants of that era: capitalists J. Pierpont Morgan, John Astor, William Vanderbilt; labor leaders Big Bill Haywood and Emma Goldman; and Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I had been in a horrible book slump and The Titanic Plan was the perfect novel to pull me out! It engaged me from the beginning with it's imagery and wonderful story line. All of the characters, except for 2 I believe, really existed and almost every event in this book really happened. I wish I had this book to read when I was studying this period in history for my undergrad. Bockman truly has a gift for making the past pop off the pages and grab you with an intensity and clarity that I find rare in historical fiction novels. There was mystery, intrigue, murder, and drama all wrapped up in 380 glorious pages. I am sad this one had to end, but I ate it up, every page, and highly recommend this book to historical fiction fans and anyone who wants to learn a little bit about the first 15 years of the 1900's. A few of the real life characters whom Bockman brought back to life were J. Pierpont Morgan, George W. Vanderbilt, President Theodore Roosevelt, President William Howard Taft, John Jacob Astor, and a few lesser known people who really existed; Major Archibald Butt, Belle da Costa Greene, Wild Bill Haywood and Emma Goldman. I can't thank Michael Bockman enough for this wonderful piece of work! I look forward to reading anything he pens in the future!

**UPDATE** About to finish this book and it has been and still is such a pleasure to read that I don't want it to end! Sadly I will probably finish it tonight. If you are a historical fiction buff...PICK UP THIS BOOK!


**Only on chapter 5 and LOVING it so far. The imagery is so vivid that the scenes have just jumped off the page! Can't get enough!

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Titanic Plan is a meticulously researched historical novel set between 1907 and 1912. This was an economically and politically tumultuous time in America's history, but also a time for great personalities, sweeping social movements, and amazing feats of engineering. A lot happened in those few years. There is no shortage of material to incorporate into fiction and The Titanic Plan doesn't let you down.

Since it really is necessary to understand the political atmosphere of the period in order to follow the book's plot and some of the characters actions/attitudes there is quite a lot of historical recap involved. This feels a little slow to read, but unless you happen to be historian to start with it's necessary and worth it. (Plus some people really like this incorporation of a lesson into a fictional novel. It's not my thing, but I appreciate the need.) The book makes some of the most famous people of the period feel approachable, Presidents Roosevelt and Taft, John Pierpont Morgan, John Astor, George Vanderbilt, Emma Goldman, and the main character Archibald Butt (what an unfortunate name). Butt's search for the truth and convenient position as military aide to the president sends him from New York to Washington, DC to Italy/England and back again (kind of). There were also a number of loveable side characters. My favourite was Henry, but it would be hard not to love Henry.

If you enjoy historical fiction, have an interest in the early 1900s or the sinking of the Titanic this is a great book for you. I recommend picking it up.

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

To all those readers who delight in a detailed historical novel that is well researched and thoroughly captivating, then I strongly recommend Michael Bockman’s The Titanic Plan. This truly intriguing story had me sitting on the edge of my seat as I lost myself within America’s history, which was richly detailed taking you back to a time when there was revolution, Government changes and when the greatest ship ever built sank on her maiden voyage. Beginning in 1907 during the great banking crisis I was instantly transported into a time of politics, strict ruling and ambition that would drive individuals to do almost anything to gain power. The Astor family and the Vanderbilt’s were tyrants within an era of great change where impressive inventions began to mould the world into what we know it is today, with a booming industry consisting of electricity and machinery. 1908 saw the end of President Theodore Roosevelt and the succession of William Howard Taft, whose ideas and vision for America was quite different to his predecessor. Captain Archibald Butt was close to the former president as his close confidant and military man, who observes the first great disaster of the 20th century and those individuals who are set to change the course of the future.

This great slab of a novel is something that you can really sink your teeth into, loosing yourself within the pages of a most compelling and intense story that takes your breath away. With the bombing on New Year’s morning in 1908 at the Astor home, the story continues its momentum becoming more and more thrilling as the years pass and other events ensue. With visions such as those by Gillette of a new world and social upheaval, powerful financial giants manipulate and take control over commerce in America with government and politics at the very heart of this tale. The gaps are filled by Michael Bockman as those events within history between 1907 and 1912 are brought to light, of economics and the social hierarchy at the time that was forever changing. Full of action, drama and suspense this remarkable book will glue you to the page with its authenticity and accurate recollections of the time. The sinking of the supposedly unsinkable ocean liner the titanic on its maiden voyage in April 1912, is looked at from all perspectives such as those blinded by such great expectations. Intrigue, murder and hidden mystery this is a real account brought to life, in which the words jump off the page as you slip back in time to a most fascinating era. The Titanic plan has to be the most absorbing historical book that I have read since Diana Gabaldon who similarly to this author merges creative vision with distinctive, memorable characters to create a story that you won’t want to put down.

Many readers who are interested in America’s history, of politics and social warfare will be delighted by this incredible novel that kept me reading for quite some time. I would like to thank the author for having the privilege to have read his work, that is truly magnificent and an epic read that is staggering. I lost myself within a most poignant, significant age that is exceptional when looked at through this novel with those parts that may have been overlooked in other works. A masterpiece by a most accomplished author who had my interest on every single page, who has excelled and surpassed all expectations.

[Kevin Bowser · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins in October of 1907. We find the American financial system on the brink of collapse after one of the largest investment firms failed because of speculative trading. At the time there was no Federal Reserve as we have today to help, no government agencies or big bail out to prop up the failing institutions. Seeing this as a defining crisis, and an opportune moment, J. Pierpont Morgan steps in and organizes a consortium of bankers and financiers to prop up the system until the crisis passed. Upon succeeding, JP Morgan promised that he would do everything in his power to make sure something like that never happens again.

The book is set between the years of 1907 to 1912 and is inspired by true events and uses characters who are real and can be verified historically. The Titanic Plan weaves a story of the many factions of American business and politics as they struggled for power and influence.

The major characters are giants of that era: capitalists like J. Pierpont Morgan, John Astor, William Vanderbilt; labor leaders Big Bill Haywood and Emma Goldman; and Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and William Taft.

And the character that finds himself at the epicenter is Captain Archibald Butt. Butt, also a real historical character is the Military Aide and a close confidant to both president Roosevelt and president Taft. Somewhat willingly and somewhat against his better judgement Captain Butt becomes involved in story of intrigue that takes him from his post at the White House, to an undercover assignment within the anarchist who were congregating in Greenwich Village of that time. He floats back and forth between the offices of the newly created FBI to the mansions of the filthy rich and incredibly powerful.

During all of this he finds a woman who both intrigues him and puzzles him. He is reunited briefly with an old comrade and soldier that he once commanded. Then in the midst of some double-crosses and shifting alliances, Capt. Butt is drawn into the formulation of a brilliant and dangerous plan to control the manufacture and movement of goods all across the United States. And this plan may very well lead to the first great disaster of the 20th Century.

The plan involving all of the great business barons works in twists and turns through the playgrounds of the rich and famous of that time. The final playground of the rich and famous . . . The HMS Titanic on its maiden voyage.

Although the book does seem to fizzle at the end rather than crescendo, it is a fascinating look inside the lives of the ultra-wealthy of the early 1900's.

[Icy_Space_Cobwebs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of The Titanic Plan by Michael Bockman

5 stars

A well-researched and finely-detailed historical novel, principally of the era 1907-1912, “The Titanic Plan” covers economics, politics, government; culture and society; immigration; and the closing years of America’s Gilded Age, an era whose powers-that-be strove mightily to extend. The novel presents quite an original perspective on this period and especially on the sinking of that “unsinkable” ocean liner on its maiden voyage in April 1912, the Titanic-that icon of history, legend, superstition, and myth-making so dear to the American heart.

The major protagonist of this novel is Captain-later Major-Archie Butt of Augusta, GA, descendant of many Confederate officers and a staunch veteran of the United States Army, who served in the Spanish-American War and then became Military Aide to first, President Theodore Roosevelt, and then to Teddy’s successor, William Howard Taft. Finding himself intertwined in an intrigue fomented on him by the new Director of the Bureau of Investigation (later the FBI), Captain Butt is reintroduced to a former friend and Army comrade, Mick Shaughnessy, a man who may or may not be in the company of anarchists, but who introduces Archie to the likes of Emma Goldman and Big Bill Haygood (the former an anarchist of Russian descent, the latter a former Idaho silver miner who became president of the International Workers of the World, nicknamed “Wobblies”). Archie also is led to contact with-conscription by-certain upper-class society businessmen, specifically John Jacob Astor and George Vanderbilt, and hence into “The Plan,” conceived initially by King Camp Gillette as a Niagara Falls Utopia, modified by Astor and Vanderbilt, propelled by the notorious corporate baron J. Pierpont Morgan.

I don’t wish to give away the original nature of the plot, but I will add that there are serious repercussions which mirror some of the theories most prevalent today, and in my perspective, lend credence to those theories as entirely possible, perhaps probable.

[Sally · Rating 2 out of 5]

I recieved this book from Goodreads Firstreads and I apologise for only just reading it. I have to admit I found The Titanic Plan very difficult to really get into, and it was only until about half way through where I actually started to enjoy it. The Titanic Plan is definitely aimed at a much mature audience, who understand and enjoys politics. Overall, I felt that the writing style was excellent and gripping, however, many parts of the story I found tedious due to the content, not the writing. I'm sure a mature and politically minded reader would thoroughly enjoy The Titanic Plan, however it was not for me.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with a well researched and presented historical setting and a clever premise.

There were three things that let this down in my opinion. First, the Kindle edition is riddled with typos and punctuation mistakes. Second, the protagonist's reluctant hero attitude becomes tiresome: people offer to help him find out what he needs to know, and he rejects their help. And thirdly, the climax of the book is inevitable from the moment you read the title, and it's less of an impact than it could have been.

[The Geeky Bibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be the best political/conspiracy thriller I've ever read. The twists and turns in this intriguing tale are well crafted, and events and people that seem to have no logical link, are shown to be connected in the most surprising ways. Having it all take place around real people and events makes the fictional conspiracy even better.

If you love a good conspiracy story or have an interest in Titanic and the well-known people who perished when it sank, I definitely recommend reading this book!

[Ed Fritz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novel Plus History

This is an excellent blend of a suspenseful novel with a thorough discussion of the history of our nation in the early part of the 20th century. He merges historical people with his fictional people seamlessly so you can almest believe that these event really did happen.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this through First Reads for free. This was a fantastic read, especially after reading "The Gilded Age". I'm not a history buff by any means, but this was really interesting and I found myself practically skimming over some pages because of the anticipation. Loved it!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction encourages you to learn more about the period. And I learned my grandmother sailed on the same ship that Teddy Roosevelt took back from Africa, although it was a different voyage.

[Allie_oco]

Free today on Kindle 4.22.12

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the plot, the storyline and the characters in this book. I would definitely recommend this book. It has no bad language or sex. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Bruce Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great combination of historical fact & fiction. The characters are real, the drama is believable and the premise is very intriguing!

[Cyndi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Historical fiction. Real events fleshed out with more detail. I enjoyed looking up the individuals to find out who they were. 1900-1914 was a facinating time period.

[Simon · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing is competent, the plot is so silly that it makes Titanic the movie look like Tolstoy. This would be less important if the author wasn't dropping portentous hints all over it that what we are reading is actually thinly-veiled truth. By the time he started assembling his characters aboard the ship he lost control of it. For example: if the plutocrats were such ruthless men, why on earth weren't they making damn sure they were in the lifeboats? How were the villains going to be sure that the right people survived the sinking --- or in this case, didn't? Also, not for anything, but . . . John Jacob Astor, Shaper of Worlds? All sorts of people meander through The Titanic Plan, and most of the actual people are, to put it charitably, incredible facsimiles. Emphasis on "incredible." Belle da Costa Greene, who actually was a woman of color who passed for white, and who indeed was J.P. Morgan's librarian and the first director of the Pierpont Morgan Library, is reduced to a kind of Eartha Kitt/Catwoman caricature. She slithers around in chic outfits putting love spells on the poor hero, Archie Butt. She calls herself his "Cobra", he calls himself her "Fakir". My favorite moment, however, was when an important clue to whatever the hell is going on is supplied by none other than Pope St. Pius X.

But as I said, the writing is competent enough. Some of the scenic side trips get a little boring, but on the other hand, I now know more about Cardinal Merry del Val than I did before I read the book.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting historical novel.

[Alan Veale · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is a lot to be commended in Michael Bockman’s debut novel, and there have already been reviews posted here on Goodreads that reflect that. But to restore the balance a little I have to highlight findings of my own that reflect my disappointment.

I must begin by disputing the choice of title. This is NOT about the Titanic! Yes, the tragic incident features as the climax of the novel, and in the hands of a more experienced author we might have had a genuinely insightful version of the events surrounding that terrible event. It seems to me that the author has simply made an opportunity out of the sinking of that ship to help promote his book. Using the word ‘Titanic’ in the title, together with a cover image depicting a four-funnelled liner at sea, does hold promise that this will be a story exploring the background to that terrible maritime event. Given that the main character is Archie Butt, a real figure who was genuinely a victim of that disaster, and that other characters include J. Pierpoint Morgan and John Jacob Astor, then I was understandably anticipating a well-constructed imagining of a plot to sink the Titanic that was the culmination of political manoeuvring within the elite of American high society.

Don’t get me wrong – there is plenty of political intrigue in the bulk of this novel to satisfy those of us with a penchant for historical machinations of that sort, but the actual methodology of setting the scene to prove that the Titanic sinking was not an accident is completely absent! I don’t think it would be classed as a plot-spoiler to say that an incident where someone places a bag of dynamite in a cargo hold (which then gets discovered and thrown overboard) constitutes evidence of a successful plot to sink the ship. And yet the unfortunate MD of the White Star Line, J. Bruce Ismay, who famously joined the women and children in a lifeboat, is depicted as a serious villain, hand-in-glove with those plotting against our hero. This is a major ask for the reader to accept, with the explanation for the incident being hinted at as a political expedient by the author. Sorry, but I can only see this as a cop-out: a missed opportunity to deliver a reasoned and rational argument for powerful men to commit dreadful acts in the pursuit of both corporate and personal gain.

To be fair, this is a book that has been written about American history by an American. I’m from Britain and so the historical aspects of this novel were largely lost on me. On the other hand, I admired the author’s subtle layering of elements of the plot in the first half of the book. I did begin to appreciate the personalities of the era, and to understand how divisions in class at the beginning of the twentieth century had some common elements in British history. All of this was commendable, and the fictional strands that brought intrigue and mystery to drive the story forward were well-placed. At times I did feel that the author had possibly gone into too much detail, slowing down the story, and losing the impetus as a result. His main character of Archie Butt was also a little too ineffectual at times, but this may have been a deliberate contrast to give him a little more glorification at the end. Sadly, I did not feel much sympathy for the character as a result, and that, together with a storyline that seemed to be wading through treacle for so long, tended to make me wonder where the author was taking us. In my view the book is too long, and would have benefitted from some serious trimming.

Finally, I must concur with another reviewer and highlight a big irritation of mine when reading: typos. This (Kindle edition) book is littered with them! For example, we had ‘foreword’ instead of ‘forward’ and ‘earthy’ instead of ‘earthly’. This alters the meaning of words completely, thus making the reader stop and re-think the sentence. Missing words, mis-placed words, and odd punctuation all combine to present a document that looked as if it had completely escaped the proof-reader. Letting your manuscript be published to such a poor standard is an insult to the reader, and reflects badly on the author. Also, the iceberg... Yes, THAT iceberg! It is described as ‘towering some 55 feet over the ocean’. That may or may not be a typographical error, but it doesn’t come across as much of a threat, especially when the author later describes the lifeboats being lowered to the water ‘a good 75 feet below.’ You do the math! Research is important, and when you want your reader to lose him or herself in the spectacle of the moment, you also need to get the scale correct. Not the right sort of first impression, Mr Bockman!

So, for me, it was disappointing. The biggest plus has to be that the author has written intelligently about an important period in American history that makes for a far more interesting read than a book of non-fiction. By doing so he has helped to widen our interests, and to encourage discussion. Such a result is to be commended, and I thank the author for that.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 5 out of 5]

The United States is the birthplace of modern capitalism and at the dawn of the 20th century no better place to witness it was the city of New York (Manhattan, to be exact). It was a conglomerate of opposites. Beautifully impressive houses, churches and buildings, nestled together and surrounded by paucity, squander, poverty and crime. The American dream, that attracted millions of immigrants from around the world, was no closer to the masses than in their native countries but the dream survived the reality. Like the gold prospectors that migrated westward in search of wealth, the mere possibility of achieving that goal kept the dream alive. The title of this book is somewhat ambiguous as the plan has little or nothing to the ship of the same name but it soon sweeps you into a world that will stimulate your imagination and appall your senses. Like Edward Rutherfurd’s New York and New Port by John Jakes, the book soon has you hobnobbing with the rich and tearfully sympathizing with the poor. The story follows these captains of industry as they formulate a plan and a blueprint that will one day make the American dream a reality for everyone by connecting large production metropolises by improving the communication and transportation. It follows in the footsteps of the greats in vision, development and reform as New York and other commercial hubs throughout the country as it transforms into a world tantamount to any country, at any time in history. One may think it audacious of an author to attempt a book of such scope but Michael Bockman has met and surpassed the challenge. As a born book-lover, the mere mention of J.P. Morgan’s personal library had my heart fluttering and my imagination racing (not to mention his librarian Miss Belle da Costa Greene). Some books are labeled suspense, some crime, some historical or historical romances and yet others are mystery, this story has a little of everything, making it candidate for the term classic and I doubt any ameliorate could be possible or prudent. This is an epic that will leave an impression on all who read it. I am generally a miser when awarding stars but Michael Bockman has proven himself with a Midas touch for collecting them.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a political conspiracy novel based on an idea that the sinking of the Titanic was not an accident. It's very well written with realistic dialogue, though there is a major editing error at the start of chapter three (three whole paragraphs are repeated!).

It involves a lot historical figures from the time and I thought they were well portrayed but I didn't have any strong emotional connections to them and that made me feel a little disconnected from the story at times.

There is a lot of build up - the book opens in 1907 and does not quickly skip ahead to 1912, so if you're expecting it to be all about the Titanic voyage and tragedy, you'll be disappointed. It is more about events leading up to the Titanic's journey and though many of them are fascinating historical events (others entirely fabricated), they seemed to have little to nothing to do with the Titanic so I was eager to find out how the author would link them. I felt it took a while to get to that point though - I felt like for most of the book I was thinking "this is interesting but what the hell does it have to do with the Titanic?"

However, once the pieces started falling together in the second half, it was hard to put down. The story, however fictitious it was, was really well put together in the end.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking for a fairly light summer-time read? You might consider "The Titanic Plan". For myself, it was a little too far-fetched for an historical novel. At times there was more novel than history.

From what I can tell, the times, activities, politics and social status of the story were all quite accurate and were the redeeming quality of the book. Character development was good, though perhaps a little soapy at times. I'm not sure that the murder mystery really added to the story except to give the author another plot line.

All in all, it was a pleasant read. If you are looking for a good story about life and times at the beginning of the 20th century, read on. If you are looking for a story about the Titanic, look elsewhere.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The dramatis personae of this novel reads like a "Who's Who" of the early 20th century: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, J.P. Morgan, Vanderbilt, John Jacob Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim, Emma Goldman, "Big Bill" Haywood, and the less famous but equally historical Major Archibald "Archie" Butt.

A cabal of bankers, financiers, and businessmen put together "The Plan" to concentrate American commerce into a few dozen centralized locations. The Plan might have succeeded if not for an iceberg in the North Atlantic one April night in 1912 ...

[Angel]

If you enjoy reading historical fiction of the early 1900's, you will enjoy this book.

This book covers the lives of the very wealthy and powerful individuals who's names are familiar to many of us. The author did an excellent job of covering American culture, politics, business and labor organization.

I was constantly comparing our current socio-economic conditions to those covered in the book.

My only disappointment was the ending of the book. I was hoping for a little more.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Riveting

This is a totally different angle on the Titanic. I thoroughly enjoyed the insight into the lives of the millionaires portrayed and the political personalities. I do wish however that historical fiction would give a final view to clarifying which parts of the story were historical fact and which were conjecture to flesh out the story, i.e. was Henry real. Thank you for a great read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alternate view of Titanic disaster

Fictional account of the events leading up to the sinking of the Titanic. Believable account of prominent public persons and their actions that could have caused the Titanic disaster. Very good read that keeps you guessing as to the motives and consequences of the actions of the powerful people of the time.

[Yun Yi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A surprisingly smooth reading. Historical events and fiction woven together as an incredible page turner. It's not only entertaining, but also thoughts provoking. It triggers some different thoughts about historical events, especially the sinking of Titanic. Highly recommend for those Titanic fans and any historical novel readers.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the early 1900s, The Titanic Plan follows the struggle between labor organizations and the wealthy as well as the conflict between Theodore Roosevelt and Taft. Many of the wealthy attempt to reshape American business. There is political as well as economic conflict.

[Giles Falconer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting historical novel

One would have thought that there was nothing new to be said about the sinking of the Titanic, but Michael Bockman has written an exciting, if slightly unlikely, page turner which proves that wrong.