On Board RMS Titanic

by George Behe

In this moving book, Titanic’s passengers and crewmen are permitted to tell the story of that lamentable disaster entirely in their own words. Included are letters, postcards, diary entries and memoirs that were written before, during and immediately after the maiden voyage itself. Many of the pre-sailing documents were composed by people who later lost their lives in the sinking and represent their last communications with their friends and loved ones at home. The subsequent letters and postcards give an unparalleled description of the events that occurred during the five days that Titanic was at sea, and the correspondence by survivors after the tragedy describes the horror of the disaster itself and the heartbreak they experienced at the loss of those they loved. This poignant compilation, by Titanic expert George Behe, also contains brief biographies of the passengers and crewmen – victims, as well as survivors – who wrote the documents in question.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Historical

528 pages, Paperback

First published December 24, 2010

Reviews

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extensive look at letters written by the passengers before and after the Titanic tragedy. Each letter is unique in it's own way and they vary in informative quality but still very interesting all the same. A very dense and long paperback with small font. I've read quite a few nonfiction about the Titanic and it was nice to read a different view.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This gets very repetitive, with the story of the disaster being told from multiple perspectives, via letters/diary entries. Also really annoyed me that the mini biographies for each person were not with their associated letters.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Titanic Story that I have read that is from a personal point of view. The passengers and crew alike. It is a heartbreaking story but inspirational at the same time.

[Jina Bacarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

On Board RMS Titanic is an exceptional work that speaks of the author's love of his subject as well as his ability to put it all together in such a way you feel like you're reading a novel.

It's a hefty tome with letters and postcards written by Titanic passengers and crew. You feel like they're sitting next to you, telling you their hopes and fears and dreams before the ship sails...

...and afterward their sorrow and amazement at what they experienced when the Titanic foundered.

What I love about it is that you can open the book at any page and be instantly engaged in the story of the Titanic.

[Michael Poirier · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know an author has done his job when the reader says, "I've never seen that before." Or, "I can't put the book down." The author has gathered together a series of accounts written by the survivors of the Titanic that have not made their way into other books. Clearly, it has taken years of diligent research to find these. It gives the reader a clear picture of what it was like to sail on the only voyage of the Titanic. The book, which runs about 550 pages takes the reader through each day of the voyage.

I can guarantee you, it will give the reader many hours of pleasure. This rates as one of the top 5 Titanic books of 2012!

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

"On Board RMS Titanic"
What happens when a historian does the footwork, thorough research and puts together historical accounts of Titanic? You get a great book. There have been many books written in factual or narrative accounting of the Titanic disaster. But this book puts together the accounts of people that sailed on Titanic. A fascinating glimpse into history from people of different generations and economic statuses. It gives you the sense of what being there was like, from the beginning to the end. The authors of the letters have very short biographies at the end of the book.
**** A great book to pick up, easy to read, and fascinating! ****