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The Black Man on the Titanic: The Story of Joseph Laroche
Joseph Laroche was an anomaly among the passengers of the Titanic. He was exceptionally well-educated in a time when few Black men had access to an education - and when even fewer were able to travel on a luxurious ship in first or second class. When his family arrived in the United States without him after the Titanic's tragic crash, they were received well along with the other survivors and even sponsored by a wealthy New York heiress.
Who was Joseph Laroche? Where was he going, and what was his story?
This biography recounts the life of Joseph Laroche, his part in the history of Haiti, and how he ended up on the last ship of an era of glamorous travel. He was a direct descendant of the father of Haitian independence and related to two Haitian presidents. As an engineer, Laroche contributed to the construction of the Parisian railway, and he had a promising future ahead of him.
Ivorian-French writer Serge Bilé is the author of this fresh perspective on a tragedy that still fascinates millions and has inspired dozens of history books. With thorough research in Haiti and France, Bilé unearths the story of this exceptional figure in history. This is a story of black history in the United States and Haiti and of one man who represented something exceptional at their intersection.
Who was Joseph Laroche? Where was he going, and what was his story?
This biography recounts the life of Joseph Laroche, his part in the history of Haiti, and how he ended up on the last ship of an era of glamorous travel. He was a direct descendant of the father of Haitian independence and related to two Haitian presidents. As an engineer, Laroche contributed to the construction of the Parisian railway, and he had a promising future ahead of him.
Ivorian-French writer Serge Bilé is the author of this fresh perspective on a tragedy that still fascinates millions and has inspired dozens of history books. With thorough research in Haiti and France, Bilé unearths the story of this exceptional figure in history. This is a story of black history in the United States and Haiti and of one man who represented something exceptional at their intersection.
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First published March 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 20, 2019
As many books written and movies made about the sinking of the Titanic it is a good guess that no one had heard the story of the lone black man and his family who were aboard the Titanic.
I certainly never did.
Joseph Laroche left his native Haiti to study to become an engineer in France.
Having completed his education, marrying and having two children he was on his way home after 9 years.
This is a fascinating non-fiction read especially if you like to learn something you never knew before.
There is a good deal of Haitian history and some very impressive illustrations.
Note: (1) This is a translation. (2) The author notes: “some conversations and inner dialogue have been recreated in varying degrees.”
This book reminded me of another book I read in 2017 that told a historical story I had never heard before. “At Her Majesty’s Request” by Walter Dean Myers. It may be of interest to likeminded readers so I will add it to my book list FYI.
I certainly never did.
Joseph Laroche left his native Haiti to study to become an engineer in France.
Having completed his education, marrying and having two children he was on his way home after 9 years.
This is a fascinating non-fiction read especially if you like to learn something you never knew before.
There is a good deal of Haitian history and some very impressive illustrations.
Note: (1) This is a translation. (2) The author notes: “some conversations and inner dialogue have been recreated in varying degrees.”
This book reminded me of another book I read in 2017 that told a historical story I had never heard before. “At Her Majesty’s Request” by Walter Dean Myers. It may be of interest to likeminded readers so I will add it to my book list FYI.
September 12, 2024
I have always been fascinated with anything Titanic related. It's a shame that Joseph Laroache isn't a well-known name.
Hailing from Haiti, Joseph was an educated and hard-working family man. This book is very informative with lots of history. His story needs to be heard. It's definitely worth the read.
Hailing from Haiti, Joseph was an educated and hard-working family man. This book is very informative with lots of history. His story needs to be heard. It's definitely worth the read.
March 24, 2020
Gripping story of a very focused young man who was determined to be successful in life, via higher education and hard work.
A love child, born in Haiti and given his mother’s surname. He was the beneficiary of great love, attention, and great expectations. And He didn’t fail or disappoint.
This book is based on superb research. We learn everything about Joseph Laroche. And lots about Haiti. The politics and intrigues of the People and the period. Yet it doesn’t read like a text book because Joseph is the star of the narrative and the author brings him to life. His aliveness is never secondary to the other events around him.
Although Joseph Laroche was the only Black Man on the Titanic, other Blacks were booked to travel but circumstances prevented them from making the trip. So Joseph gained the dubious honor of which we read.
I found the editing of the book to be less than professional. Certain obvious mistakes remained uncorrected, but not many enough to distract the reader.
The “End Notes” provided as much interest as the text, and was also a source of historical information.
Absolutely recommend this book for leisure as well as anyone interested in Haitian culture.
A love child, born in Haiti and given his mother’s surname. He was the beneficiary of great love, attention, and great expectations. And He didn’t fail or disappoint.
This book is based on superb research. We learn everything about Joseph Laroche. And lots about Haiti. The politics and intrigues of the People and the period. Yet it doesn’t read like a text book because Joseph is the star of the narrative and the author brings him to life. His aliveness is never secondary to the other events around him.
Although Joseph Laroche was the only Black Man on the Titanic, other Blacks were booked to travel but circumstances prevented them from making the trip. So Joseph gained the dubious honor of which we read.
I found the editing of the book to be less than professional. Certain obvious mistakes remained uncorrected, but not many enough to distract the reader.
The “End Notes” provided as much interest as the text, and was also a source of historical information.
Absolutely recommend this book for leisure as well as anyone interested in Haitian culture.
August 1, 2020
This was a good read. It's well written and loaded with fascinating factoids regarding Black Haitian history. Joseph Laroche was exceptional and brilliant. He worked hard in life even to his heroic end. Worth the read!
February 16, 2025
I ordered this book after reading about it online, and wanted to read during Black History Month as one of several by Black authors during the month. Glad that I did, as I'm a huge history lover and also fascinated by stories of the Titanic sinking. Add in the intriguing aspect of arguably the most influential of the Black passengers (there were very few of them, and almost none of them were mentioned even immediately after the sinking), and I couldn't wait to read the story.
We are introduced to Joseph Laroche, a Haitian-born man who later emigrated to France and married a white Frenchwoman in the late 1910's. Joseph was an anomaly of his day--a highly educated Black man trained in the art of engineering. The couple had two children, and Mrs. Laroche was pregnant with their third when, following his strict studies and religious teachings in a French college, he became despondent to learn that racism in France disallowed him from gaining employment in the field he so loved. Thus, the couple decided to move to Joseph's homeland, Haiti, a land that at that time in history thrived as an influential--albeit corrupt--Caribbean nation. And the family's chosen method for the voyage? You guessed it, tickets aboard the RMS Titanic.
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars but couldn't for one main reason: over half of the book focuses on the religious/political upheaval in late 19th Century France, and the same in Haiti. Often, the narrative veered onto tangents that left me a bit frustrated and waiting for the Titanic action to resume. Those tangents were still interesting, however, and I learned a lot about that period in history. Still, I would have liked for 75% of the narrative to have focused on what happened from the family's boarding of the Titanic to the sinking, and immediate aftermath. The opposite percentage was the reality. Perhaps a reason for this is the author, Serge Bile, did not have much factual information of what occurred, save for interviews from family members of Mrs. Laroche, who (spoiler alert) survived the sinking with their two children.
The author noted that Joseph Laroche, just 25 when he went down with the ship, would have made a much more apt lead character in James Cameron's movie Titanic, since his life story and background was much more interesting than that of Leonardo DiCaprio's character.
Despite my criticisms, I'd definitely recommend 'Black Man on the Titanic' to anyone who enjoys historical nonfiction and Titanic literature. The included photos and illustrations were and interesting and provided good pacing in parts that veered into politics and religion. It's well-written, deeply researched, and overall a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man who history has sadly almost completely ignored.
We are introduced to Joseph Laroche, a Haitian-born man who later emigrated to France and married a white Frenchwoman in the late 1910's. Joseph was an anomaly of his day--a highly educated Black man trained in the art of engineering. The couple had two children, and Mrs. Laroche was pregnant with their third when, following his strict studies and religious teachings in a French college, he became despondent to learn that racism in France disallowed him from gaining employment in the field he so loved. Thus, the couple decided to move to Joseph's homeland, Haiti, a land that at that time in history thrived as an influential--albeit corrupt--Caribbean nation. And the family's chosen method for the voyage? You guessed it, tickets aboard the RMS Titanic.
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars but couldn't for one main reason: over half of the book focuses on the religious/political upheaval in late 19th Century France, and the same in Haiti. Often, the narrative veered onto tangents that left me a bit frustrated and waiting for the Titanic action to resume. Those tangents were still interesting, however, and I learned a lot about that period in history. Still, I would have liked for 75% of the narrative to have focused on what happened from the family's boarding of the Titanic to the sinking, and immediate aftermath. The opposite percentage was the reality. Perhaps a reason for this is the author, Serge Bile, did not have much factual information of what occurred, save for interviews from family members of Mrs. Laroche, who (spoiler alert) survived the sinking with their two children.
The author noted that Joseph Laroche, just 25 when he went down with the ship, would have made a much more apt lead character in James Cameron's movie Titanic, since his life story and background was much more interesting than that of Leonardo DiCaprio's character.
Despite my criticisms, I'd definitely recommend 'Black Man on the Titanic' to anyone who enjoys historical nonfiction and Titanic literature. The included photos and illustrations were and interesting and provided good pacing in parts that veered into politics and religion. It's well-written, deeply researched, and overall a fascinating glimpse into the life of a man who history has sadly almost completely ignored.
October 7, 2022
(3.5 stars) For as long as I have read and studied about the Titanic, there are still stories that I have not heard about. This was one…a Haitian born engineer, Joseph Laroche and his family that sailed in Second Class accommodations aboard the ship. His family got to the lifeboats, but Laroche did not survive. Yet, that is only a small part of the saga.
This sort of biography follows not only the life of Laroche, but also a history of Haiti and France in the late 19th/early 20th century. Laroche’s family was integrated into the leadership struggles of Haiti, which struggled to find itself in the world since its independence from France. Much of those struggles came from deliberate efforts from the outside world to prevent Haiti from gaining geopolitical and economic resources. Also, internal power struggles dominated Haitian politics.
While the tale was interesting and the history was stellar, the organization of the book left a lot to be desired. Things and pictures were interspersed throughout the book, but not in a pattern that flowed or made sense. Perhaps other versions of the world are a cleaner read, but the organization of this book seriously detracted from the tale.
This sort of biography follows not only the life of Laroche, but also a history of Haiti and France in the late 19th/early 20th century. Laroche’s family was integrated into the leadership struggles of Haiti, which struggled to find itself in the world since its independence from France. Much of those struggles came from deliberate efforts from the outside world to prevent Haiti from gaining geopolitical and economic resources. Also, internal power struggles dominated Haitian politics.
While the tale was interesting and the history was stellar, the organization of the book left a lot to be desired. Things and pictures were interspersed throughout the book, but not in a pattern that flowed or made sense. Perhaps other versions of the world are a cleaner read, but the organization of this book seriously detracted from the tale.
October 19, 2023
This book is very insightful, if you are interested in the history of Haiti; however, I felt the information on the Black man, in question, was sparse, but I understand that due to the series of unfortunate events a myriad of information on him does not exist.
The rundown on his aristocratic Haitian family, the loving accounts of his wife, and the daily schedule during his matriculation at Institution du St. Esprit all helped to endear us to the sole Black Man on the famed ocean liner. As I approached the expected ending of the infamous Titanic, my heart fluttered at the stresses that portended the fate of this young man. I didn't cry, but my heart skipped a beat when the steward awoke the entire family for the last time. I am glad that his story is not lost forever.
The rundown on his aristocratic Haitian family, the loving accounts of his wife, and the daily schedule during his matriculation at Institution du St. Esprit all helped to endear us to the sole Black Man on the famed ocean liner. As I approached the expected ending of the infamous Titanic, my heart fluttered at the stresses that portended the fate of this young man. I didn't cry, but my heart skipped a beat when the steward awoke the entire family for the last time. I am glad that his story is not lost forever.
April 24, 2026
When I was a kid I was OBSESSED with history, and my all time favorite historical event has always been the Titanic. I’ve read many a book about it, built a paper model of it, and have been to the museum twice. But somehow, only on the second visit did I learn that there was a Black man on the Titanic! Which is crazy, bc my second favorite thing to study was Black history!! How the hell did I make it this long without knowing one of my people was on that ship??
I’m very sad that I didn’t know about Joseph Larouche and his family before this year, but I’m really glad I got the chance to read this book and learn a little more about them! And honestly it might have been for the best, if I’d known there were little mixed girls on the titanic when I was a kid I would’ve been so insufferable.
I’m very sad that I didn’t know about Joseph Larouche and his family before this year, but I’m really glad I got the chance to read this book and learn a little more about them! And honestly it might have been for the best, if I’d known there were little mixed girls on the titanic when I was a kid I would’ve been so insufferable.
May 23, 2021
Another sliver of the seemingly endless history contained within the Titanic. Not much time is spent on the ship here. Most of the narrative history comes from Joseph Laroche's growing-up years in Haiti as the son of an entrepreneurially successful single mother and his time being educated in France. I learned more about what it was like to live in both countries during the late 19th/early 20th century time period. It wasn't great as an audiobook for me, but definitely a worthwhile addition to the Titanic canon.
July 28, 2021
Bilé mélange avec détresse fiction et données réelles pour offrir un parcours à travers la vie de Joseph Laroche, un ingénieur haïtien éduqué en France, décédé pendant le naufrage du Titanic en 1912 tandis que lui, son épouse française enceinte et leurs deux filles se rendaient à Haïti pour s'y installer. Grâce à la figure de Laroche on découvre un peu de l'histoire de ce pays antillais, sa convulse politique et les rapports entre les milieux aisés haïtiens et la France pendant le 19ème siècle et le début du 20ème.
February 10, 2024
As a Titanic enthusiast, I was prepared for the usual narratives, facts and sources that come with just about anything you read about the ship. I was wrong and I'm glad I was. The research on Joseph Laroche is compelling and impressive. His lineage and background is as elite and full of just as much wealth and prestige as any of the 1st class passengers on the Titanic. It is a superb narrative that once done reading it leaves an impression, not just about a black man on the Titanic, but another lost soul sailing towards a promising future that never was realized.
October 27, 2020
Rating: 2.5
This book was very interesting throughout, and I was wanting to like it a lot more than I did. I cannot look past all of the mistakes that I found, though. There were spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, and, most frustratingly, mistakes with a few of the dates - and dates are one thing you don't wanna be (continuously) messing up in a history text. This definitely needed at least one more run through by an editor.
This book was very interesting throughout, and I was wanting to like it a lot more than I did. I cannot look past all of the mistakes that I found, though. There were spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes, and, most frustratingly, mistakes with a few of the dates - and dates are one thing you don't wanna be (continuously) messing up in a history text. This definitely needed at least one more run through by an editor.
September 26, 2026
As a person with a lifelong fascination with the Titanic, I was really surprised to find out about Joseph Laroche. In a world of racism, Joseph was able to rise up and become an engineer. He valiantly gave his life as did most men on the Titanic. Hearing his story gave me hope that anyone coming from truly humble beginnings can live their dreams!
January 25, 2021
An interesting walk through the life of Mr. Laroche. The same grief returns to the reader who has read other accounts of people who died on the Titanic. The fact that Mr. Laroche broke through racial barriers in his time is significant, and I’m thankful to have read this record of his life.
December 4, 2023
Interesting, but written like one of those chapter books meant to be included in a school curriculum. You know what I mean. Also, the bulk of it was about the history of Haiti, which was not unwelcome, but unexpected due to the title of the book.
July 8, 2025
Interesting biography about a black man, originally from Haiti, but living in France, where he had gone to school to become an engineer. He & his family sail on the ill-fated Titanic with his family surviving while he did not.
July 22, 2026
Whilst when I picked up this book, I was expecting more of a focus on the Titanic itself, the life of Joseph Larocahe is an interesting and historically important one that I doubt many have heard, in spite of it's tragic end on the famous ship.
Definitely worth the read.
Definitely worth the read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2020
Interesting about how a Black Man was on the Titanic and of course died but his
family survived.
family survived.
October 9, 2021
Interesting matter transmitted slightly stale
August 28, 2022
Some of the content was interesting but the execution just didn't work for me.
November 5, 2022
A very interesting and differently put together book. A story that needed to be told.
September 17, 2023
It was interesting - watched some YouTube documentaries
April 18, 2024
Very educational read. The story is more the history of the Laroche family and Joseph's place in it but it isn't unrelated to him being on the Titantic and it all ties in well together.
Read
April 20, 2024A little hard to follow the jumping timeline on audio, but I learned some things!
July 21, 2020
Interesting account of the life of Haitian engineer Joseph Laroche and his family and the tragedy they suffered, with a good deal of discussion about Haitian history and culture as well.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews