Ich geh nicht ohne dich: 13 Hochzeitspaare auf der Titanic

Love Stories

by Gill Paul

Den Honeymoon auf der Titanic verbringen, dem größten und, wie es hieß, sichersten Ozeandampfer der Welt: das war der sehnlichste Wunsch vieler Paare. Tatsächlich befanden sich unter ihren Passagieren auch frisch Verheiratete. John Jacob und Madeleine Astor zum Beispiel, der Multimillionär und seine viel jüngere zweite Frau. Oder Henry und Clara Frauenthal, ein prominenter New Yorker Arzt und eine geschiedene Mutter. Gill Paul hat das Schicksal von 13 solcher Paare recherchiert. Sie beschreibt, wie sie sich kennenlernten, wie es zu ihrer Reise mit der Titanic kam, ob und wie sie deren Untergang überlebten und wie ihr Leben nach der Tragödie weiter verlief. Eine spannende und anrührende Lektüre über einen neuen Aspekt des Titanic-Unglücks.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Romance, Biography, Historical, Short Stories, European History

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Gill Paul is the international bestselling author of thirteen novels, many of them reevaluating extraordinary twentieth-century women whom she believes have been marginalized or misjudged. Her novels have reached the top of the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Toronto Globe & Mail charts, and have been translated into twenty-three languages.
Her latest novel, Scandalous Women (2024), is about trailblazing authors Jackie Collins and Jacqueline Susann battling their way to the top in the misogynous boys' club of 1960s publishing. A Beautiful Rival (2023) is about the infamous feud between beauty tycoons Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein. Jackie and Maria (2020) was longlisted for the Historical Writers’ Association Gold Crown. The Collector’s Daughter (2021) was named a Times ‘historical novel of the month’ and The Manhattan Girls (2022), was reviewed in The Sun as a “sweeping, evocative tale” and in The Book List as “Witty, emotional and intelligent”.
Gill also writes historical non-fiction, including A History of Medicine in 50 Objects and a series of Love Stories. Published around the world, this series includes Royal Love Stories, World War I Love Stories and Titanic Love Stories.
Gill lives in London where she swims year round in a wild pond, and speaks at libraries and literary festivals on topics ranging from Tutankhamun to the Romanovs.

Reviews

[Persephone's Pomegranate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not me avoiding my TBR shelf (and real-life problems) by only reading Titanic-related literature. This ship has occupied my last remaining brain cells. A book based on the 13 honeymoon couples who sailed on the Titanic? Take my money.

*SPOILERS.*

Gill Paul described the Titanic as a floating hotel whose guests were unable to leave. The ship of dreams had a swimming pool, a Turkish bath, a gym, a dining saloon, a reception room, an à la carte restaurant, a lounge, a reading and writing room, a smoking room, elevators, a Grand staircase, and a domed glass skylight. They lie hidden in the darkness of the Atlantic Ocean. 1,500+ souls perished on that cold April night. Only 337 bodies were recovered.

Are you ready for the drama? And by 'drama' I mean relationship drama.

1st class:



Let's begin with the most controversial couple on the Titanic: John Jacob Astor IV and Madeleine Talmage Force Astor. John and Madeleine's relationship was scandalous even by early 20th-century standards. There's a scene in the movie where Rose says, 'That's John Jacob Astor, the richest man on the ship. His little wifey there, Madeline, is my age and in a delicate condition.'

John Jacob Astor was the wealthiest man aboard the Titanic. JJ was quite the Renaissance man. He created The Astoria Hotel, co-created The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, invented a bicycle brake, a turbine engine, and the machine that could produce gas from peat moss, wrote a science-fiction novel, and served as a colonel in the 1898 Spanish American war. John Jacob's first marriage was an unhappy one. Rumors swirled regarding his wife's infidelity. The legitimacy of their daughter came into question. He divorced Ava in 1909. The drama didn't end there. Two years later, Astor announced his engagement to Madeleine Talmage Force. John Jacob was forty-seven years old, and Madeleine was just eighteen.

Handsome, erudite, considerate, and charming, he was by far the nicest, most fascinating man she had met. He charmed her with flowers and books that he thought she might like, and she quickly fell in love.

The high society was scandalized. The media went into a frenzy. John Jacob and Madeleine were married on September 9, 1911. Witnesses described the ceremony as 'very romantic.' Despite their sizeable age difference, JJ and Madeleine had many things in common. The newlyweds sailed to Europe on board the Olympic, Titanic's sister ship. After spending two and a half months in Europe, Madeleine became homesick. JJ booked passage on the newly built Titanic. The Astors and their beloved dog Kitty boarded the ship in Cherbourg, France. Madeleine was in awe of Titanic's elegance but hurt by the behavior of the other first-class passengers. Madeleine couldn't escape comparisons to John Jacob's first wife, Ava, who was renowned for her beauty and elegance. Madeleine later complained to friends that she had overheard women, many of whom were Ava's friends, mocking her dress and hairstyle. Her trip to New York would have been much less enjoyable had it not been for the company of Maggie Brown, also known as The Unsinkable Molly Brown. The fiery Mrs. Brown scoffed at the gossipers and encouraged Madeleine to ignore them.

Then came the fateful April night when the Titanic struck an iceberg. John Jacob and Madeleine waited in the ship's gymnasium. “Can’t I stay here with you?” Madeleine pleaded. John Jacob had to tell her the hard truth. “The captain has said that the men must get on boats later. That’s the way it is.” JJ did his best to soothe Madeleine. He used his penknife to split open an extra lifejacket, showing her the cork that would help them stay afloat. “Not that any of us is going in the water, of course,” he added. Minutes ticked by. Optimism waned. Despite Madeleine’s protests, John helped her over the rail into the lifeboat. “Might I join my wife?” he asked. “She’s in a delicate condition. ” Madeleine was five months pregnant. Second Officer Lightoller refused. John Jacob didn't argue. He helped put several women into a lifeboat, then waved goodbye to Madeleine. Madeleine looked back and thought she could see Kitty on the deck. “John must have gone to get her,” she thought. “I do hope she will be rescued as well.” Madeleine didn’t know about the shortage of lifeboats. She held out hope that the ship wouldn't sink. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. She helped with the rowing, despite her condition. John Jacob Astor's body was recovered on April 22. Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic. Kitty was not among them. Most of the lifeboats were half-empty. Only lifeboat 14 came back after the ship sank to look for survivors.

Madeleine gave birth to a boy whom she called John Jacob. She remarried two more times. Both marriages ended in divorce.



Helen Bishop was told by a fortune-teller that she would survive a shipwreck and an earthquake, but meet her demise in a car crash. Nineteen-year-old Helen married Dickinson Bishop, a wealthy twenty-three-year-old widower. They were wed in November 1911 and spent their honeymoon in Algiers, Egypt, Italy, and France. Dickinson showered his new bride with love and gifts. Helen soon became pregnant. The happy couple decided to end their honeymoon on the Titanic. They boarded the ship at Cherbourg. Helen and Dickinson were among the very few first-class passengers who didn't ostracize the Astors. Helen formed a friendship with Madeleine, who was a year younger than her. Then the collision happened. “What about Frou-Frou?” Helen asked, clutching her little pet. “Can I bring her with us?” Dickinson comforted his wife. “It’s only a precaution. Your darling Frou-Frou will still be here when we get back.” Helen kissed Frou-Frou, then placed her on a couch.

An officer took Helen by the arm, guiding her toward a lifeboat. “Be very quiet,” he said, “and get in the boat immediately.” Helen was the first passenger to enter a lifeboat.

Dickinson claimed that, as he helped his wife board the lifeboat, a hand pushed him from behind, and he stumbled into the boat. Do we believe him? Be that as it may, the first lifeboat had a capacity of 65 but left with 28 people. Helen tried to comfort the other passengers by revealing her secret. “We have to be rescued in order for the rest of my prophecy to be true.”

Helen and Dickinson welcomed a son, but the infant died just two days later. In the spring of 1913, the Bishops were caught in an earthquake. Helen was convinced the prophecy was real. Dickinson reassured her. “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s all mumbo-jumbo.”

In November 1914, while traveling home from a dance, Helen's car spun out of control and crashed into a tree. She survived the crash despite receiving life-threatening injuries as a result. She had a steel plate inserted in her head. As is the case with head injuries, Helen became increasingly moody and aggressive. Helen and Dickinson divorced in January 1916. Two months later, Helen slipped on a rug and hit her head near the steel plate. She died a few days later. The prophecy came true. Dickinson remarried and moved to Ottawa. The questions surrounding him and his survival have never subsided.



Albert Dick had a weakness for poker and women. He was thirty-one when he married sixteen-year-old Vera Gillespie. (There seems to be confusion over Vera's birth date. Her death certificate and grave list her birth year as 1894, but an Ontario birth record lists her date of birth as 1891. In my opinion, she was born in 1894. That's the date on her grave) Vera and Albert married in Calgary in May 1911. One month later, Vera turned seventeen. Vera was thrilled to sail on the great Titanic. She took pleasure in exploring the luxurious rooms and conversing with glamorous passengers. JOHN JACOB ASTOR WAS CONDEMNED, BUT EVERYONE WAS FINE WITH ALBERT MARRYING A LITERAL 16-YEAR-OLD. DID I SAY JJ AND MADELEINE WERE THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL COUPLE ON THE TITANIC? I WAS WRONG.

The couple met Thomas Andrews, the ship's architect. “Is she everything they say?” Bert asked Andrews. “There’s been a lot of talk in the media about her.” “She is as nearly perfect as human brains can make her,” Andrews replied. Vera engaged in a friendly conversation with Reginald Jones, a handsome twenty-year-old steward from Southampton. Albert berated her for her flirtatiousness and told her it was unseemly for a woman in her position to fraternize with the staff. Vera ignored her husband and continued to speak to Reginald Jones whenever he came to clear their plates. I LOVE HER. Albert and Vera were in the middle of yet another heated argument when they heard a strange noise. Then there was a knock at the door. It was Reginald Jones. He informed them of the collision. Reginald helped Vera into a lifeboat. First Officer Murdoch called for more women to board the lifeboats, but none would get in, so he pushed Albert toward his wife. Despite his surprise, he did as instructed. Vera and Albert comforted each other as they watched the mighty Titanic sink. Reginald Jones sadly died. Vera credits him with saving their lives. Albert was criticized for escaping the Titanic on a lifeboat. Vera went on to study singing at the prestigious Toronto Conservatory of Music. Titanic's tragedy forever changed Albert. Previously I thought of nothing but money,” he said. “The Titanic cured me of that. Since then I have been happier than I ever was before.”



Henry & Clara Frauenthal were married on March 26, 1912. Henry was a brilliant surgeon. He was forty-eight years old when he began to court Clara. Clara was a forty-two-year-old divorcee with a young daughter. Neither of them expected to find love. With antisemitism on the rise, many prominent hotels refused to accept Jewish guests. That was not the case with the Titanic. Henry and his brother were allowed to board a lifeboat with Clara. Henry described the sinking as “It seemed as if all the devils of hell had been let loose.” The tragedy took a mental toll on both Henry and Clara. In 1927, Henry jumped from the seventh floor of his hospital, dying instantly. Clara was committed to a sanitarium in Connecticut, where she died in 1943. Henry and Clara’s trauma and mental health problems inspired Clara’s daughter to study medicine at Cornell University in New York.



Daniel Marvin and Mary Farquharson's story is both romantic and tragic. They were only seventeen when they fell in love. Their parents forbade them from getting married - they were much too young. The couple eloped and married in a secret ceremony on January 8, 1912. They kept the marriage a secret until Mary could no longer hide her morning sickness. Mary's parents, fearing a scandal, organized a public ceremony. Daniel and the three-and-a-half-month-pregnant Mary boarded the Titanic at Southampton on April 10. The couple often spent time on deck, filming each other with Daniel's wooden Pathé camera. The Titanic was beautiful, they were madly in love, and the future was bright. Until it wasn't.

The Titanic started sinking, and Mary panicked. Daniel calmed her by reminding her that the Titanic was the safest ship ever built. When a steward asked for women and children, Daniel urged Mary to go.
“I don’t want to leave you,” she said. “I’ll stay with you so we can go together.”
“It’s all right, little girl,” Daniel replied. “You go. I will stay.”
Daniel didn't survive. His body was never found. Mary was devastated. “He blew a kiss at me. That was the last I saw of him.”

She gave birth to a daughter, Mary Margaret Elizabeth Marvin. Mary remarried and had two more children.



Víctor Peñasco Y Castellana and María Josefa Perez de Soto Y Vallejo (Pepita) were married on December 8, 1910. Victor and Pepita's honeymoon lasted a year and four months. The wealthy couple visited Vienna, Monte Carlo, London, Venice, and Paris. They were staying in Paris when they saw the posters advertising the Titanic. Victor's mother had a premonition and forbade them from boarding a ship. Victor and Pepita ignored her warnings and set sail anyway. They kept it a secret from their families. The young Spaniards quickly became very popular among passengers. They had no way of knowing what awaited them on the voyage. The unsinkable ship was sinking. Victor helped his wife board a lifeboat. Pepita wasn't aware that only women and children were allowed to board the lifeboats. She didn't speak english. Victor deliberately vanished from her sight. He didn't want to risk her climbing out of the lifeboat. He didn't survive. Pepita remarried after six years of mourning.



Lucian & Eloise Smith were married on February 8, 1912. They got married only a month after they first met. They met in January and were married in February. The young couple decided to end their honeymoon with a voyage on the world's largest ship. Eloise refused to board a lifeboat without Lucian. “I never expected to ask you to obey, but this is one time you must. It is only a matter of form to have women and children first.” Lucian said as he kissed her goodbye. He didn't survive. Seven months later, Eloise gave birth to Lucian Smith Jr. Eloise would go on to marry three more times. Her second marriage was to Robert Daniel, a fellow Titanic survivor. All of her marriages ended in divorce.



2nd class:

Sarah Elizabeth (Lizzie) Chapman was the true definition of a ride-or-die. Lizzie and John lived in a small town in central Cornwall, England. John grew up on a small farm. He wanted to make money to buy a house and start a family. His only option was emigration. He spent several years in Canada before moving to Spokane, Washington. Lizzie wrote him letters every week. Lizzie's parents were dead, so she stayed with her aunt Emma. When John returned to Cornwall, he and Lizzie were married in Liskeard on December 26, 1911. They decided to start a new life in Fitchburg, Wisconsin, and John booked a second-class ticket on the Titanic. Lizzie's dreams of a new life were coming true. John and Lizzie were impressed by the ship's luxury. They took strolls on the deck, made friends, and ate their meals in the beautiful 70-foot-long dining room. Everything was perfect until the collision.

A crewman took Lizzie by the hand and helped her into a lifeboat. Lizzie then realized John wasn't allowed to board the lifeboat. “Women and children only, sir,” Second Officer Lightoller said. Unlike Murdoch, who allowed men into the boats if no women and children were around, Lightoller refused to allow male passengers to board the lifeboats. He didn't allow John Jacob Astor to accompany his pregnant wife, even though there was room on the lifeboat. Lizzie didn't falter. She turned to her friend and said: “Goodbye, Mrs. Richards. If John can’t go, I won’t go either.” She walked over to John. Officer Lightoller wasn't giving up. “Won’t you let me put you in one of the boats?” he asked. Lizzie had made up her mind. “Not on your life. We started together and, if need be, we’ll finish together.” John and Lizzie clung onto railings as the band played Nearer, My God, to Thee. John's body was found, but Lizzie's was never recovered.

3rd class:



John & Kate Bourke were married on January 17, 1911. Kate and her eight siblings grew up in Tawnagh, a small Irish village in County Mayo. Kate's parents died when she was only seven, and she was raised by her older sister Maria. Kate later emigrated to Rochdale and got a job in a cotton mill. When her cousin Bridget invited Kate to Chicago in 1905, she gladly accepted the offer. Kate boarded the Etruria and arrived at Ellis Island in July 1905. Upon returning to Ireland in 1910, the thirty-one-year-old Kate reconnected with a farmer named John Bourke, who was ten years her senior. They were married on January 17, 1911. Kate missed America. Her other cousin, Catherine, and her fifteen-year-old niece were sailing back to America on the newly-built Titanic. They asked Kate to join them. Attracted by the prospects of a better life, Kate and John sold their farm and bought two third-class tickets from the local White Star Line representative. They weren't the only ones. Fourteen people from the parish of Addergoole, County Mayo, sailed together on the Titanic from Queenstown. They spent their days strolling the deck, eating their meals in the dining room, and socializing in the general meeting room. There were pine wall panels, teak furniture, a piano, and a smoking room. Not bad for a third-class ticket.

At 11:40 P.M. on Sunday, April 14, the Titanic struck an iceberg. Young Annie Kelly witnessed several men trying to storm a lifeboat while armed officers held them back. John and Kate reached the deck. Kate boarded a lifeboat with John's sister Mary. They realized John wasn't allowed to get in the lifeboat. “I’ll not leave my husband,” Kate said. “And I’ll not leave my brother,” said Mary. They gave their seats to Annie. Annie Kelly, Annie McGowan (Catherine's fifteen-year-old niece), and Delia McDermott were the only ones in the County Mayo group to survive. The bodies of Kate and John were never found.

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting look at 13 of the couples who sailed on the Titanic and what happened to each of them. Each story has pictures of the couple and tells how they met, how they came to be on the Titanic, and what happened to them during and after the sinking of the ship. There is also other information mixed in with the stories of the people, including menus, information about the rooms in the ship, and information about other people on board the ship.
I thought it was interesting that, at one point, the authors said the dress codes were so strict on the Titanic that first-class passengers were worried about what would be the proper attire for boarding the lifeboats.
And in the stories of how the different couples ended up on the boat, the most interesting by far was that of a husband and wife who had promised his anxious mother (who had a premonition of a bad ocean voyage) they wouldn't set foot on any ships during their honeymoon. Instead of passing up an opportunity to sail on Titanic and see New York, they wrote out a series of postcards and left a servant in Europe to mail them and give the illusion they were still on the continent, intending to return before anyone was the wiser.
Not long after I finished this, I saw a preview for the rerelease of the movie Titanic in the theater, and the whole time I was watching the screen and thinking of the people I'd read about and what had happened to them. At the same time, while Rose and Jack were flashing across the screen amid scenes of the ship sinking and people dying, the people around me in the theater were laughing and quipping, "I'll never let go. And then she does!" It made me a little sad. I love the movie, but maybe the fact that the two main characters are fictional make it easy for us to distance ourselves from what happened and think, "There's no reason to be sad. They aren't real, and this never happened to them. It's just Hollywood." But John Jacob and Madeleine Astor and more than a thousand other people were real and did have those things happen to them, and this book tells just a few of their stories and really makes the tragedy of it all very poignant.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lavishly illustrated historical account is filled with information about 13 honeymooning couples who sailed on the Titanic. This account provides background information on the couple, as well as, for the survivors, a summary of their lives afterward. Other information about the ship, its amenities, and the events of the disaster rounds out what would otherwise be a somewhat sparse volume. I have read many books on the Titanic, and I was glad to learn things here that I hadn’t known before. Perhaps the biggest flaw with the book is its tendency to speculate; some of the information is merely inferred, and may or may not be accurate. For example, it includes some romantic dialog from the ship, but some of these intimate conversations were between people who’d both died in the sinking, so how can Paul know for sure what was said? Similarly, some broader claims might be difficult to substantiate, or may oversimplify a complex subject. Nevertheless, for most of the book, the facts are laid out clearly and neatly. The couples chosen for this book represent all three classes on the ship, and the research into their backgrounds and families must have been arduous. I am grateful for the chance to learn about these remarkable people.

[Kirsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great look at some of those aboard the Titanic, specifically those who were married and on their honeymoon on the 'unsinkable' ship. Some of the things I knew already, but many of the facts and stories were new to me, and this made the book hold my attention. It really stood out for me on a day where I actually managed to read three novels in total, and I think this was my favorite read of the day. The stories were well presented, and felt very personal as well.

I loved all the pictures, and the facts on the side lines. This just added to the book's overall feel and added to it's presentation.

Titanic has always fascinated me in a macabre way; the huge loss of life, the impact on society, the grief. I feel horrible about reading these kinds of things, and even more horrible about wanting to read more. But the Titanic is not something to be forgotten, and those who lived, and died, on that fateful trip should not be forgotten either. This book offers a personal look into the love and loss of those on board, and really makes the reader sad about it. A very good read!

[Justinepow · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is an account of 13 couples on their honeymoon aboard the Titanic.

This is my third book from the author Gill Paul. I’ve enjoyed them all.

This novel is full of pictures, menus and information about the Titanic. It was interesting to read each couples story, how they met, how they ended up on the ship and what became of some of them after.

This was quick read- read it on the drive to Calgary. Glad I grabbed the hard copy and not the audio as it has a lot of great pictures.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved the Titanic ever since I first heard Leo claim to be the king of the world. When I first discovered the story, I spent months scavenging my bookstores and libraries for any book based upon it or offered a different perspective. The Titanic disaster is one of the things I know most about in this world. Strangely enough, this particular book had been on my Chapters wishlist for ages. I had no intention of buying it, and had I not found it at a second-hand bookstore where I was looking for my fourth book to get my fifth book free, I probably would never have read it. For those who are Titanic aficionados like myself, it really doesn't offer anything new. It tells the stories of the (more than I expected) honeymooning couples on board the ship. Most are in first class, some are in second, and a few are in third. The trouble with Titanic stories about the third class is that hardly any information remains about them. Chances are, both would have died. They wouldn't have left much behind. Their stories can, at best, only be speculated. First class on the other hand, will have archives about the lives of the rich and famous. But, if you like to read stories about hope and love, I suppose these will get at you. It really is heartbreaking when realising how many couples and families, more than just in this book, were separated that night forever. Any way you look at this, you will probably end up sad but if the Titanic interests you at all, it's worth the read anyhow.

[Diane Briones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Titanic Love Story that will Touch your Heart

Sometimes you get a historical non-fiction that is hard to read and doesn't make you want to complete it. But I found myself not wanting to put this down.

This book tells the stories of 13 couples who were taking their honeymoon onboard the Titanic. The author does an excellent job of interspersing their stories with fascinating facts about the ship, as well as anecdotes that have come down through the decades. He gives a good variation of couples as well. Some were millionaires: others were struggling-and hoping for a better life in America. Some of their stories end hopefully, while others ended tragically-but none of the survivors were ever the same afterwards. I think this is a very worthwhile read for Titanic fans, as well as other history buffs. It tells the real story in a very readable but completely factual way. --- Diane ™

[MKF · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a more of a who's who of Titanic's first class honeymooning couples. After a while the stories though romantic really started to sound the same. There were a few 2nd and 3rd class stories at the end but compared to the stories of the first class couples they were the ones that were the most enjoyable to read.

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Previously I thought of nothing but money... The Titanic cured me of that. - Albert Dick

Titanic Love Stories is a book that positions itself well, it is focused on the 13 honeymooning couples that set sail on the Titanic and were never same again. Each chapter gives information about a different couple, their background, their time on the Titanic and what became of them after April 15 1912 and throughout the book more details are revealed in side panels about the ship, time and crew.

For those interested before reading the 13 couples were distributed over all three classes, 9 in first class 2 in second class and 2 in third class. They cover all walks of life from the truly elite John & Madeline Astor and Victor & Pepita Peñasco to the very young Daniel & Mary Marvin to the emigrating dreamers Neal& Eileen McNamee. There are some heartbreaking stories in here, some moments where you question WTF was going on. Why so much wasted life and Why didn't you just listen to your parents?

It does reveal some bits and pieces that I hadn't thought about before like the passengers on the Carpathia. She was carrying 743 before they answered the mercy call from the Titanic adding 711 more. Within her capacity (according to Wikipedia) but not comfortable according to book, nor would it have been expected. It does do a brief overview of the survivors' guilt all and the stigma endured by the men who survived. I really some of the extra people who are introduced, in particular The Countess of Rothes who took control of Lifeboat 8 and Molly Brown who assisted with rowing Lifeboat 6 (as other women did) and welcomed the ostracised Madeleine Astor to life in first class.

This is one for people who like real life romance stories, or the Titanic. It is an easy read. With gorgeous images and changing layout to keep the eyes interested. As someone with an interest in the Titanic there are is some different ground covered here. As a group of people to talk about, sing newlyweds or honeymooning couples is a great way to create a reasonable subset to work with. These couples were flawed and diverse but they had lived together ahead of them and on that represent the passenger as a whole.

When I saw the way she was carrying herself and heard the quiet, determined way she spoke to the others, I knew she was more of a man than any we had on board." - Seaman Thomas Willam Jones (About Noël Leslie, Countess of Rothes)

My reading experience in a gif:

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was probably one of the most depressing books I have ever read in my life. BUT! It was so educational and well written that I liked it very much. The subject matter is always going to be very depressing, considering it was one of the greatest ship disasters of all time.

The actual pages are beautiful. Each page has a section of text, as well as a picture or several pictures. There are interesting little facts here and there, blocked off in soft yellow boxes. The pages have shades of gray, brown, and yellows which makes it look more elegant that a standard book.

The stories themselves are all tinged with tragedy, but some have a happy ending. Statistically speaking, the odds were not in their favor. If you are interested in Titanic history, this is a must read. It offers up a few facts that I didn't know from previous readings I have done on the subject. And it is also nice to put a face and a story to some of the people who were involved in the disaster.

[Christy · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a disappointing attempt to create a story about these 13 couples by mounds of speculation without very little facts. Each short story exists only to repeat the sinking of the titanic and to mention that these people were on it. Chapter after chapter you will read the same account and very little real info about these couples that matter other than the exotic locations they honeymooned. It reads more like fiction instead of the stated non-fiction by the author. Quite a disappointment with no real insight here!

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

I remember buying this. I was horribly reluctant. It was in the bargain books section of the store and I think I bought it just because I had the $6.00 (or whatever) burning a hole in my pocket.

I have read a lot about the Titanic over the years; every since I can remember it has been something that has fascinated me. All of the fictional movies, the documentaries, magazines, exhibits... all I have indulged in. It pains me to say that this account is one of the worst .

Paul appeals to the hopeless romantic and has complied a "pamphlet"-like book of thirteen relationships that were affected by the Titanic's sinking. Most of these stories describe the romances of First Class attendees, with very few Second and Third class passenger accounts. Because of the Bias (probably unintentional because most of the survivors were First Class), the stories were VERY repetitive and borderline BORING. I don't feel like I learned much more about the events, and even less about society at the time.

The style of the book was almost made like a magazine or a pamphlet. This was probably done to increase the page count. Honestly this text can be read in one sitting, so don't feel intimidated!

I really didn't like this book, and in end, I just skimmed the last few stories, hence my "It was okay" rating of 2/5 stars (I feel bad discounting the experiences of the survivors).

[Natalie Shawver · Rating 4 out of 5]

We all know the story of the Titanic and the horrible disaster that occurred. We know about its nickname as "the unsinkable ship" and about all the over-the-top amenities that were onboard for first-class passengers. We know about the iceberg and how it could have probably been avoided. And we certainly know about fictional Jack and Kate from the Hollywood version. But what we don't know about (most likely) is the true story of 13 honeymooning couples aboard the Titanic.

Whether this was their first marriage or second, dog-in-tow or jewelry galore, each couple on the Titanic was over-the-moon to be onboard and heading to sea. Their new life together was ahead of them and there couldn't have been more excitement. We're talking about the richest-of-the-rich (like the Astors) and the rest who just couldn't get enough of each other. As I read each chapter, I could picture each couple, walking along the deck or having coffee in the cafe. First, second, or third class ... it didn't matter which—each knew what it meant to love.

What I enjoyed about reading each individual couple's story was how when it came time to get on the lifeboats, they desperately wanted to be together—the love for one another was real. They weren't worried about their possessions back in their rooms—fear took over and they couldn't bear to be apart. For some, separation occurred (one made it into a lifeboat, the other didn't (usually the husband)). For others, they were able to leave the wreckage together and were rescued by a neighboring ship, the Carpathia. I learned so much about what happened that night—that there were only 20 lifeboats instead of the planned 64 because someone thought they made the ship deck looked too cluttered; and that many didn't think the ship would ever sink ... so much so that they didn't even attempt to get on a lifeboat.

Was it heartbreaking to read 13 stories about couples surviving and not? Absolutely. Did it restore my faith in the power of the human heart and the sacrifices it is willing to make for love? Absolutely. Did it make me wonder about life post-sinking and how these individuals carried on with their lives? You bet.

Titanic Love Stories was the perfect balance of fact, tidbits of info and picture-painting. I stepped onto the Titanic with each set of lovebirds and found myself hanging onto each page to find out if they survived. A lovely read for history buffs and Titanic-movie lovers.

[Samantha Scheer · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

When I was younger I was OBSESSED with the Titanic and even begged my parents to take me to the Titanic Exhibit in Halifax, Nova Scotia. So in honor of seeing it in theaters on Valentine’s Day, and it being the month of love, I figured now was the time to pick this one up.

This one was actually so interesting! It was intriguing to see the stories of these 13 couples, a majority of first class, and to hear what they experienced on the Titanic and what happened to the survivors of these couples, post disaster.

There was a lot of information about the Titanic itself in her that I didn’t know about before. There are also photographs in here of the Titanic, inside and out, and the couples. That was a really nice touch, and it kept me engaged.

I had no idea that the dress code was so strict for first-class that people questioned what was appropriate to wear on the life boats! How wild is that?! Ans interestingly enough, two of the couples had been given a premonition by a professional or a family member warning them of a boating disaster that would occur in their future. That gives me chills that they were so accurate, and for two different people! Some of our couples were friends with one another so that was also kind of cool to see how they were connected on the ship instead of all being isolated. And at least three of these couples were just teenagers around 17, 18, and 19!

And after all that trauma, I also learned that all the survivors had to testify to the Senate’s Inquiry about what happened.

So many life boats weren’t full when they were sent away and lowered from the Titanic. It makes me wonder how many other lives, and couples, could have been saved if the boats were filled up. But I’m sure everyone was eager to get off the ship as quickly as possible.

And so many of these women whose stories are in here, were pregnant!

Also, how gorgeous is this cover?!

[Cally73 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautifully presented book telling the stories of 13 honey-mooning couples aboard the Titanic. Lot's of details around the ship itself and sinking, none of which are new to those who have read other books around the Titanic. Some of the chapter summaries at the beginning of each story contain spoilers to whether the couple survives. Personally I would have preferred to find this out as the story unfolded. Some of the couples are well known, others less so. It's certainly a touching book. My main gripe with it and one of the reasons I can not rate it higher is the lack of referencing. Only photos are credited, not the information sources. This makes it difficult to work out facts from the author's imagining. For some people this won't be an issue, but unfortunately for me, it is. Another minor niggle was the mention of Violet Jessop surviving both the collision of Olympic with the Hawke and the sinking of Titanic, but failing to mention that she also survived the sinking of Britannic. This is an ideal book for anyone who has little knowledge about the Titanic as it gives an excellent background without weighing down too much extra information. I liked how staterooms when known, were highlighted on the ship plans. Lots of photos and other tidbits of information accompany the text.

[Rachel Carrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been interested in all things Titanic so when I saw this book, I had to know more about these couples who took that tragic journey.

Gill Paul's insights into the worlds of these honeymooners showcases not only his talent but his knowledge and research about the Titanic.

These stories are heart-breaking, life-affirming, and powerful. It would be impossible to read this book and not be moved. I know I certainly was.

[Jodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was intrigued when this one came in. I have always been fascinated by the sinking of the Titanic. I didn't realize that there were 13 honeymooning couples on board. I loved that the book was more about the lives of these couples and what happened to them, than just what happened that fateful night.
A really interesting read for anyone interested in history, the Titanic or both.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great read. Not only were the stories told in this book really moving, but I also learnt a lot about the Titanic which I didn't know before.
It was laid out really nicely, and told the stories of these Titanic passengers really well. I enjoyed it a lot.

Full review on my blog: www.thebooktower.webs.com

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love learning things about the Titanic. The presentation of the honeymooning couples aboard the Titanic brings an even more human element to the tragedy. An excellant read for anyone interested in personal presentation of the sinking.

[Mayda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a different look at the tragedy of the Titanic, focusing on the couples just beginning their lives together. There were honeymooning couples in first class, second class, and third class, and some survived while others weren’t so lucky. What began as a dream trip ended in horror. The book contains many photographs and illustrations, as well as tidbits of information on the people onboard as well as the ship herself. Some of the information and facts about the Titanic and its sinking seems to be somewhat incongruous among books I’ve read, and this book is no exception, but that is to be expected, given the nature and time frame of the subject. Still, this book is quite interesting, and adds much to the mystique of the Titanic.

[Julie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ENGLISH VERSION BELOW
----------------
Ich hatte mir das Buch vor Jahren gekauft und gelesen; und bin jetzt auf goodreads wieder drübergestolpert.
Das Buch hatte mich damals sehr berührt.
Es gab neben den Geschichten auch viele Fotos und Abbildungen.
------------------
------------------
I had bought and read the book years ago; and now stumbled across it again on goodreads.
The book had touched me very much at that time.
There were many photos and illustrations in addition to the stories.

[Christine Hackenbuchner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. 5 stars

[Saturday's Child · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and easy read that looks at the thirteen couples who sailed on the Titanic during their honeymoon. From 1st to 3rd class each couples story is told along with lots of pictures and illustrations.

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's kind of an enthralling read. It's interesting what all was shown to light about the upper class people on the Titanic when the ship sank. The stories are sort of heart breaking and sad. However, it's one of those books you really don't stop reading because it's so interesting.

[Sandra Strange · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just what it says--the stories of 13 couples honeymooning on the fated ship and what happens to each. Good background information and lots of pictures make the book a fast and informative read about the tragedy.

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about thirteen honeymoon couples on board the Titanic. Yes it is sad, but the stories are interesting and there are lots of photographs to accompany the stories.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Titanic fascinates me. These stories fascinate me.

[Maria Watkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Titanic Love Stories
189 pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

On April 10, 1912, the new RMS Titanic set sail on her fateful voyage from Southampton to New York. Among those on board were 13 newly-wed couples—some simply enjoying the trip of a lifetime, others crossing to America with dreams of starting a new life together. This book tells the tales of the honeymooners.

“I never paid any attention to how many lifeboats there were. I did not know.”

I have been looking forward to reading this book ever since I found it at a book sale. I’m so glad that I read it. It was a quick read, as it was not super dense and has a lot of photos.

The book starts out with a little history of the titanic and the sinking, and then dedicated around 10 pages to each couple. We learn how they met, where they married and why they set sail. Each story was so moving and their actions were courageous, sometimes surprising, and memorable.

My only issue with this book is that when the last couple is finished, that’s the end. The next page is the index. I wish they had some sort of ending page, maybe a list of all who survived and all who perished. They do have a chart on the last page about the survival rates, but the book just ends so abruptly, it doesn’t seem right.

Although this is short page-wise, there’s a load of information in here. This book was very informative and enjoyable to read. I do think I need to read a happy book next though.

This will also stay on my shelf. I’ll definitely read it again at some point.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read many, many books regarding the tragic sinking of the Titanic, but few moved me as much as these stories of young couples choosing to make their honeymoon the trip of a lifetime on the ill-fated Titanic. Since most young couples who could afford even a second class fare on the ship, the honeymooners in this book were, for the most part, wealthy. Young couples in steerage were voyaging to find better luck in the United States, not on a pleasure cruise. Each of these stories was touching in its own way, even when both the husband and wife survived, but the heartbreak of women who lost their husbands on what should have been the happiest trip of the lives was tragic no matter how much wealth was theirs in widowhood.

[B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the vast majority of these stories. The book is, however, quite brief, and there's not a lot of additional explanation present surrounding the lives of the couples. In spite of this, I did learn quite a few things that I didn't know prior to reading this book, and I had great fun relating the information in the book to friends - it sparked both a high level of discussion and a desire to rewatch Titanic. Some of the stories are quite repetitive, and it would have behooved the author to mix up the stories a bit, or at least break out of the same patterns of writing for each.