A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells' Story of Survival

by Julie Hedgepeth Williams

From author Julie Hedgepeth Williams, winner of the 2021 Kobre Award for Lifetime Achievement in Journalism HistoryAlbert and Sylvia Caldwell were one of those rare Titanic families who lived through the tragedy at sea. Their lucky rescue aboard the Lifeboat 13 is told for the first time here. But the trip was only one part of a bigger nightmare. The Caldwells had been Presbyterian missionaries in Bangkok, Siam, but fled in what they described as a desperate journey around the world to save Sylvia’s health. Fellow missionaries, however, believed that the couple had plotted to renege on their contract at financial loss to the church. Not even sinking Titanic ended the hunt for the Caldwells. A Rare Titanic Family follows all the true-life plot twists of a family who successfully fled aboard the Titanic but never could get out from under the shadow the ship cast over them.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction, Historical, Book Club

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2011

Reviews

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reason for Reading: I've always been intrigued with the Titanic and I am participating in a Titanic Reading Challenge this year.

This is a fascinating story that read like a novel for me. My first time sitting down with the book I almost read halfway through. I've always enjoyed missionary stories and I found the first part of the book on Sylvia and Albert's early life and time spent in Siam just as interesting as the rest of the book which focuses on the Titanic sinking and the effect it had on their future lives. The author has a compelling storyteller's voice which is easy and addictive to read, making this an entertaining and unusual story to read.

Because of the author's personal involvement with Albert and this being her own family history there are times when one wonders at the veracity of some of the events presented, but the author does fully admit that in light of lack of proof and hearsay in certain circumstances she has had to make educated guesses at times. She does have extensive proof from research which is fully documented online for Titanic historians that show her devotion to finding the facts behind this interesting family story. This is all to say that the book is completely believable in its research and facts but when the author pieces her logic together to make educated guesses, the reader may beg to differ.

However, I just loved Albert and Sylvia both and thank Ms. Williams for bringing their personal story to the public with all its controversial sidestories put out there for the world to ogle. So many books are about the ship itself and the facts of what happened that night that it is imperative to read a story like this that reminds us about the people that were on board those few days. We think of all those who perished but what of those who survived. This book let's readers know it wasn't all over for the survivors once they drove away from the dock. Men especially had a hard time simply because they had survived and babies later became the last living survivors, whom the media were always after for interviews and yet they remembered nothing. This book brings home the personal side of the Titanic sinking and through one family's very personal story the reader gets an inside look into the sinking and the aftermath that a "just the facts" book can never provide.

A riveting, fast, read profusely illustrated with family & contemporary photographs. A joy to read.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

When one considers the victims and survivors of the Titanic disaster, one usually has the image of families ripped apart, some dying and some surviving. It's a rare thing (no pun intended) to hear of a family managing to survive the sinking intact.

This book is clearly a labor of love, and it shows in the writing. The author clearly loved her uncle, and it shows in every word that she writes about him. She was also great in exploring the lives of Albert Caldwell's family, letting us know their achievements beyond surviving the Titanic (or not being born when they were on the ship, in the case of Albert's second son).

I very much enjoyed this book, and catching a glimpse into the world of that era, both concerning the Titanic and everything else that the Caldwells were involved with. A very enjoyable read.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember being fascinated by the title of this book, during my ongoing obsession with the Titanic, as I went to college with a girl who had the surname Caldwell. Of course, my long adult fascination with the Titanic meant I simply had to own a copy of this book.

What I will say first of all, is give this book a chance. It's taken me two attempts to get into this book, due to the slow beginning, but it is worth reading. It's highly researched and highly informative, about a "rare" Titanic family - rare because they all survived the sinking. When most men went down with the ship, due to the crew cries of "women and children first", Albert managed to get in a lifeboat, to assist his wife Sylvia with their 10 month old son. Sylvia was struck with an illness that appeared to weaken her arms significantly, so she was unable to hold her child.

There are a couple of discrepancies with the story of how exactly Albert managed to get into the lifeboat, with Julie (Albert's great niece) going into great detail about this, and even talking about a twist/sting in the tale, towards the end of the book under the "Controversies And Educated Guesses" section. Quite frankly, I don't believe the bribery story, as there are other such accounts of this happening on other lifeboats, so I think this was just someone trying to tie in the story to the Titanic, and causing some grief to the family.

There are lots of black and white photos included within the pages and a very rare photo of the family on the Titanic before sailing appears on the cover and printed within. Photos of the Titanic, never mind people on the Titanic, are quite a rarity, with only some existing by Francis Patrick Browne. This photo makes it all the more heartbreaking, that it isn't clearer/sharper or has had better care taken of it. The faces are blurry and shadowed, and particularly in the inside photo, you can clearly see that this photo has been scanned complete with damage. AS much of the earlier photos were.

I do think this is a book worth picking up, definitely to experience a young family's life on the Titanic, and the repercussions the Titanic had on their lives afterwards. It's quite a sad story, but I am glad that Julie has made sure that her great uncle's story will not be lost.

[Tasha Dunagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the true story of Albert and Sylvia Caldwell and their infant son, Alden, as told by Albert's great-niece, including all the events leading up to and following their trip on the Titanic. Williams has very thoroughly researched the lives of the Caldwells, which is impressive and interesting, at least from a historic point of view. To me, the prior and post-events - such as their education and second marriages following their divorce - made the book a bit slow, but I admire Williams' dedication.

I thought the Caldwells' experiences as missionaries in Siam and especially the description of their Titanic voyage completely made up for any tediousness in getting there. Williams estimates that only one-fourth of families on the ill-fated ship escaped together, so theirs is an extremely unusual story. Were it not for Albert's friendliness and curiosity with the ship's staff and for Sylvia's physical weakness (attributed to neurasthenia), making it impossible for her to hold their baby, their story may have been a tragedy, as it was for so many others.

My favorite parts of the book are the little details of the Titanic trip only a survivor could describe: the large variety of food offered, the sermon given, which concluded with the song, "For Those in Peril on the Sea," the friends they made, the feeling of disbelief among passengers after the iceberg collision, and their bitter sweet escape, which was almost foiled by dried paint on the chains of their lifeboat. The icing on the cake is the cover picture, which was taken by a friend before their trip. After losing everything except the clothes on their backs and their lives - including their camera, new clothes, and life savings - the photo was sent to them when they arrived home.

[Kelsied · Rating 1 out of 5]

"A Rare Titanic Family: how the Caldwells Survived the Sinking and Traveled the World," by Julie Hedgepeth Williams was a pretty average novel. I did not enjoy reading it very much. I just wish that the author found a way to make the story a little exciting. I know the story is nonfiction and really happened but a novel needs a little excitement in order to be interesting. That is I didn't enjoy it and neither did some of the other people that read this book. I really don't understand how the Caldwells "traveled the world," as said in the title. The only place the Caldwells traveled to was Siam, and that was before the sinking of the Titanic. Albert and Sylvia did not even remain married after the sinking of the Titanic so where had they traveled the world together after it? But, I did enjoy first-had accounts of what the Caldwells thought of the Titanic, I just wish there was more of that. Also, descriptions of the Carpathia were longer than the Titanic descriptions. I thought surviving the sinking of one of the most famous ships in that time would have affected Sylvia and Albert more. How they felt was not even mentioned! After the Caldwells got divorced and then remarried, the rest of the novel just spoke of Albert's new life. Here and there, Sylvia would be mentioned but it was mostly about Albert. I am really glad the author mentioned about the artifacts discovered after the sinking. That was definitely the most interesting part of the entire book. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in famous disasters. I think anyone over age thirteen would be eligible to read this book because some of the vocabulary is difficult and it is a pretty long novel

[Matthewa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book, " A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells Story of Survival", was not a very good read. When first looking at the book I thought it was going to be more about the Titanic, and how they survived the tragedy. Instead, the book was more about the Caldwell's life before and after the Titanic rather then when it occurs. Only a small portion of the book was about them on the Titanic. Most of it was about how Albert and Sylvia (the main characters) met in college and lived their life together until after the Titanic when they got divorced and led their lives separately. Although it was not what I thought it was going to be, there was some interesting information about their lives. Overall this book was a disappointment to me.

[Davina Bell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written!!!!!! I truly applaud Mrs. Williams for her due dillengence and awesone research abilities!!!! I learned so much from this novel. I would like to see this version of the Titanic story made into a movie. While reading it, I pictured the Titanic disaster as being just as horrible as the 9/11 attacks. Her discriptions of the sinking was heart-wrenching. The truthfulness behind the story is truly appreciated. After reading this novel, the James Cameron's version of the events are grossly romanticized. Anyone interested in the Titanic should read this novel. Additionally, I would also recommend this novel to anyone doing research on this tragedy.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've heard the tragic tale of the Titanic many times, but we rarely heard anything about the passengers who survived, and how the sinking affected them. This book, written by the great-great niece of Albert Caldwell, a Titanic survivor, is a totally engaging recount of Albert, Silvia and baby Alden Caldwell's journey that led them onto the Titanic, the amazing survival of all three, and their lives after. The sinking is just a third of the story however, and the story of the Caldwells before and after their fateful voyage is truly fascinating.

[Sallee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. It told the story of the Caldwells,a young missionary couple stationed in Siam, theier lives there and thier return to the USA on the Titanic. It tells what happens during the shipwreck but then goes on to follow thier lives until thier death. The book tells you what the ramifications of being a survivor and how it impacted the rest of thier lives.

[Brandon Mudd · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the last one hundred years of American history, few events have captured the imagination like the sinking of the “unsinkable” Titanic April 14, 1912. The tragedy of the maiden voyage of the biggest ship in the world at that time holds many diverse story lines, from heroism on a grand scale to cowardice that makes one’s stomach turn. The fate of the ship and those aboard it, whether they survived or perished, are forever etched in our consciousness.

While movies such as the record-setting Titanic starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet renewed interest in the ill-fated sea liner, many books and documentaries are produced regarding the sinking of the great ship every year. One of the more interesting, however, is A Rare Titanic Family, written by Illinois native Dr. Julie Williams and describes the survival of not only her great uncle, Albert Caldwell, but his wife Sylvia and their son, Alden. They were one of the very few families to survive the incident intact.

At a recent lecture at the Left Bank Books in the Central West End, Williams, in full period clothing, spent nearly two hours not only discussing the amazing story that led to her great uncle Albert ending up on the Titanic, but the process of researching the book, and answering questions from the audience. Williams is a natural performer, singing a song from the Titanic era to kick off the event and inserting anecdotes and jokes within the scripted portion of the program.

For me personally, the most interesting part of the story is the fact that Albert and Sylvia, despite having survived one of the most famous, and most preventable, tragedies in history, ended up divorcing in 1930. Albert, who died in March, 1997 at age 91, later remarried a woman named Jenny, who was Williams’ great aunt and the conduit bringing Albert into the family. When asked, Williams said it was a point of pride for Albert and Sylvia to remain friendly with one another, not just for the sake of their son, but also considering what they had endured so much together.

“He always looked 150 years old and acted 25,” Williams said of Albert. “He never had a problem talking about it with us and we grew up hearing about it. We jokingly used to blame Sylvia for getting them into that mess since she wasn’t our relative.”

Considering Sylvia’s role in the adventure, that may not be an erroneous assumption. The two were based in Siam as missionaries after their marriage in 1909 and were expected to stay there for a contracted period of time. After awhile, Sylvia claimed she was sick and wanted to go home. The heads of the missionary were having none of it, but she eventually won out and she, her husband, and their newborn son were allowed to leave. Years later, it was alleged the homesick wife and mother was only feigning her illness in an effort to leave Siam, but whether or not that is true, no one will ever know for certain.

After weeks of travel, the three made their way to England. Albert, in what may be one of the worst decisions in the history of travel, decided against buying return tickets to America via the Carpathia, instead opting for the more opulent Titanic, based on a poster of the grand ocean liner hung in their hotel.

“It was Sylvia who asked a question that led to one of the most famous quotes made regarding the Titanic,” Williams said. “She asked a bag handler ‘Is it true this ship is unsinkable?’ The man looked at her and with no hesitation said ‘Yes, lady. God Himself couldn’t sink this ship.’”

God, apparently up for the challenge, proved him quite wrong a few days later.

Anytime there is a story of survival against the odds, rarely do those who live to tell the tale simply survive. There are usually choices to be made, a favor exchanged, a moment where fate intervenes. The Caldwells’ survival is a splendid example.

Albert was a photographer and brought his camera with him aboard the ship. As he explored the vessel, he made his way to the engine room. There, he spoke with the stokers who kept the flames of the engine alive with an endless supply of coal, asking one of them if they would take a picture of him stoking the flame. One of the stokers agreed, thinking it a fine idea for a photo. The two chatted awhile longer and parted company. The next time they would see each other, that same stoker would grab Albert and his young family and force them on a lifeboat as the Titanic began slipping beneath the waves.

Anytime the Titanic is spoken of and there is mention of a man surviving, there is the controversy of whether the man forced his way onto a lifeboat or bribed his way aboard or, in some cases, actually dressed like a woman to gain entry. According to Williams, the “Woman and Children First” rule wasn’t enforced as strongly as legend says.

“During the evacuation,” she said, “men weren’t allowed off the port side of the ship. But, they were allowed to enter lifeboats on the starboard side, where Albert was. So I feel confident he didn’t have to bribe his way off the ship.”

In the unearthly silence after the Titanic had finally sunk, the survivors in the lifeboats could hear the lost souls in the water. While few of the lifeboats were actually full, most did not allow those in the water into the boat for fear it would capsize, dooming them all. The sound haunted Albert, and probably most of the survivors, for the remainder of his days.

“Even after 60 years, he said he had to forget the sound of the screams,” Williams said. “Otherwise, you would go crazy thinking about them.”

In an amazing instance of irony, it was the Carpathia, hours later, that arrived and rescued the lost ship’s survivors, bringing them to New York City. Albert would give lectures on the event for the rest of his life, bouncing between jobs as an insurance agent and school administrator. An interview with Albert can be heard on Parade.com.

Sylvia’s story was actually, in my opinion, a little more interesting. She penned a 12-page brochure about the tragedy called Women of the Titanic, which is available in e-book form on various Web sites. Upon her divorce from Albert, she began working at the newly-founded State Farm Insurance company and was in fact the 11th person ever to be hired there. She started as a secretary and later formed a romantic relationship with the founder of the company, whom she eventually married, becoming very wealthy in the process.

In recent years, there have been discussions of bringing the Titanic back to the surface. Items such as dishes, silverware, shoes, and luggage have been salvaged and placed in museums and included in traveling exhibits. A couple years ago, a large section of the ship’s hull was brought above the waves of the North Atlantic. Williams said she is torn on the idea. On the one hand, she doesn’t want to desecrate the site where so many perished, but on the other, she is curious to see the remains. She has little doubt what her great uncle Albert would want.

“He always knew they would find it,” she said, pointing out the fact it wasn’t actually found until years after Albert’s death. “He always thought they would find it and bring it to New York, finishing the journey as it was originally intended.”

A Rare Titanic Family is not only an interesting book on the sinking of the ship, but a great insight to missionary work at the turn of the 20th century as well as a well-researched history of that era.

[Sherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was good from a genealogist perspective. However, I was hoping for more...
The author did a good job in the introduction setting up the story and her relationship to Albert; as well as the "epilogue" portion. There were necessarily long chapters and not long enough on others.

There was more information on their younger years, how they met, later divorced and life after remarriage. There isn't a lot of detail or emotion played out on their experience on the Titanic nor the Carpathea after they were rescued.

Have you thought of the survivor's guilt? Especially for men? How women and children were going to man the lifeboat oars? How incredibly pitch black it was after the Titanic sank? The sounds of crying and screaming? The sound of silence after people froze to death? Or women and children who were ported in New York with no husband, money, or possibly family.

These were the things I pondered during reading those chapters.

This read more as a full biography with the Titanic being a portion of their lives rather than their experience at that specific time.

[Rosemary Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story about author's relatives especially Uncle Albert who told her stories about his ordeal and rescue from the Titanic lifeboats. She painstaking researched the family story. She was able to prove some parts of the story and disprove other parts of the story. This book is a valuable addition to the Titanic catalogue of books about the disaster.

[Gabby Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning all about this family! Every time I learn more about them I realize how "goofy" they were, specifically Albert and his Son. I loved learning about Albert's time in Glee and as a Clown in Shakespeare. It reminds me of a Photo with Albert holding his son and on the back Alden wrote "Is this my father the man who looks like a circus clown" it's so funny to me! I really enjoyed reading this book!

[Chu Qiao · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had opportunities to visit a Titanic museum in Tennessee last week. I happened to pick up the book from the shop. It was an interesting read to find out how the tragic event shaped several generations of the Caldwell family. If I were one of survivors, how would I live the rest of my lives?

[Angela Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read but lots of speculation.

[Jill Carlier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the book and seem Julie perform, she's delightful!

[Danielle Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not quite what I expected. It was more about their life rather than their experience on the Titanic.

[Marianne Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a miserable tale. But it was nice to have a personal storyline directly from a family of survivors. Thank you to Julie Hedgepeth Williams for writing this little page turner.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Albert and Sylvia Caldwell decided to leave their mission work in
Siam and return to the United States, they never dreamed that they were in
for the journey of their lives. How could they ever imagine that the ship
they would be traveling on, the Titanic would forever be known as one of
the greatest disasters ever? Traveling with their 10-month-old son Alden,
the Caldwells set out on the voyage that would not only change their
lives, but history.
In A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells’ Story of Survival,
Birmingham author Julie Hedgepeth Williams recounts the perilous
journey of the Titanic, but also the events that led up to the
Caldwells being on this infamous voyage. The author describes the
stories her great-uncle Albert told her and does her own extensive
research to piece together a harrowing account of survival, strength,
and courage. In one gripping moment, Albert must decide whether or
not to place his family on a lifeboat. This might seem like the
easiest decision in the world, knowing what we know now about
infamous night, but the passengers aboard the Titanic were told that
this was a ship that even God himself couldn’t sink. Also, the
circumstances of exactly how Albert ended up on a lifeboat, which was
strictly reserved for women and children, are quite suspenseful. A
Rare Titanic Family is not your ordinary Titanic book. Williams’
research reflects a new light on how the passengers on the Titanic
must have felt during this traumatic experience, but also the mania
that followed them after.

[Homewood Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Albert and Sylvia Caldwell decided to leave their mission work in
Siam and return to the United States, they never dreamed that they were in
for the journey of their lives. How could they ever imagine that the ship
they would be traveling on, the Titanic would forever be known as one of
the greatest disasters ever? Traveling with their 10-month-old son Alden,
the Caldwells set out on the voyage that would not only change their
lives, but history.
In A Rare Titanic Family: The Caldwells’ Story of Survival,
Birmingham author Julie Hedgepeth Williams recounts the perilous
journey of the Titanic, but also the events that led up to the
Caldwells being on this infamous voyage. The author describes the
stories her great-uncle Albert told her and does her own extensive
research to piece together a harrowing account of survival, strength,
and courage. In one gripping moment, Albert must decide whether or
not to place his family on a lifeboat. This might seem like the
easiest decision in the world, knowing what we know now about
infamous night, but the passengers aboard the Titanic were told that
this was a ship that even God himself couldn’t sink. Also, the
circumstances of exactly how Albert ended up on a lifeboat, which was
strictly reserved for women and children, are quite suspenseful. A
Rare Titanic Family is not your ordinary Titanic book. Williams’
research reflects a new light on how the passengers on the Titanic
must have felt during this traumatic experience, but also the mania
that followed them after.

[Aaliyah P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book A Rare Titanic Family by Julie Williams, who is the great-niece of Albert Caldwell, wrote this book so that it was hard for the readers to put down. She wrote excellently about her distant relative. Albert and Sylvia were a missionary couple who went to Siam for work. They traveled the world including Italy and other parts of Europe with their son Alden. When they wanted to go back to their homeland, America they decided to take the luxurious Titanic as second class passengers and their journey while aboard the Titanic and off it.
I loved the way how the Julie Williams said that the Caldwells may have done something but, not being certain if they actually did it. Giving readers that kind of option to the readers makes you wonder and think about the possibilities they have done in their life time. There was a possibility that Albert, Sylvia, and baby Alden did do the stuff she mentioned but also they may have not of, because of Sylvia’s illness. The author went into great detail which gave empathy to me or the other readers about what would happen to this family that had been through so much already together. You wanted them to get through everything they had to overcome.
One thing I would have changed about the book was where the author started the book. She begins in my opinion to far back in the history of Albert and Sylvia before they were in college way before they met but, other than that this book was very attaching and great for a good read if you enjoy the Titanic and the families on it.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

April 12, 2012 will mark 100 years since the Titanic sank. Julie Williams is the great-niece of Albert Caldwell. Albert and his first wife Sylvia went to college together, accepted a mission to Siam and then married. The day they married they left for their new life. Sylvia was not recommended to go because of possible future health issues. She went anyway. The weather was very agreeable with Albert. A combination of the tropical weather and pregnancy made Sylvia very sick. After Alden was born she just couldn't seem to get her strength back. She was unable to hold her own child. Upon the recommendation of a doctor the Caldwells left Siam, headed to Europe where they ended up on the ill-fated Titanic. Albert was a very personable person. He made friends with everyone. According to Mrs. Williams it is because of this that he and his wife and child managed to survive.
Julie Williams has told a story that was passed down to her from Albert. She became so intrigued she had to find out more. A photograph started it all, and graces the cover of the book. This biography held my attention not only because of the topic, but because of the other story. Haunted by the Titanic and Hunted by the Presbyterian mission board took its toll on their marriage. This story was told in a hauntingly beautiful way. It is full of emotions and memories but doesn't dwell on the macabre. This is a book I will most definitely recommend to my friends.

[Nl]

The book, A Rare Titanic Family, was mildly entertaining to me. It focused on the lives of Albert and Sylvia Caldwell and their experiences. At first it was very slow while explaining the details of their early lives and what they did in those years. Later it tells about their slightly interesting lives of being missionaries living in Siam. But because of a serious problem, the couple is forced to attempt to return to America by many different ways of travel. The Board, (the group incharge of their travels) however has other things to say on the matter. They believe that there is no real problem and that the Caldwells are just trying to get out of their work. This causes a serious problem because the couple needs to get out of Siam and back to America A.S.A.P. They might just not wait for The Boards permission and leave without their pay and be disgraced by the Church. The Caldwells leave and their last form of transportation to America was the Titanic and we all know what happens to that specific ship. This part makes the story easier to read as there is more excitement and danger. Did the Board agree? Will Sylvia and Albert get home and continue to live their lives? Read the story to find the answers.

[Kayla O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the book A Rare Titanic Family by Julie Williams. The book was about the narrator figuring out the story of the Caldwells (Albert, Alden, and Sylvia) exciting tour of the world and their ride home on the Titanic. It told the whole history of this religious family and their life after the tragedy. There a couple of reasons why i did not enjoy this book. One was because it was kinda slow, the writing was very exciting. Another reason is because it was written in the perspective of the author, i would've enjoyed the story if it was written in the perspective of one of the Caldwells, maybe Sylvia or Albert. I also expected their story to be more unique and stand out more to be, but it really didn't. There were also reasons why i liked the book and thought it was special. I liked it because I got to learn another story of some of the innocent passengers on the titanic, which is always fascinating. I also liked it because i was able to relate to the book. I could relate because i have also done much research on my ancestors to find out their interesting stories of the past. Overall this book was okay, not one of my favorites,

[Erik Ronningen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Titanic aficionados, just when you thought you had it all, along comes author Julie Hedgepeth Williams with the very personal story of her uncle and his family. Timing is everything, they say, and the Titanic sailing for America was perfect timing for Albert Caldwell, his wife, Silvia, and their ten-month son, Alden.

Thoroughly researched to provide a good picture of the Caldwell’s lives before, and after that fateful night of April 14/15, 1912, an additional piece of the puzzle is added to help clarify the “confusion” that was Lifeboat No. 13.

Well written, the disclosure of the private lives of the Caldwell’s trials and triumphs could be the story of almost anyone of us with one exception: they survived the Titanic, and as a “family” are one in four that survived intact from that black, cold night of horror.

I found this story so engaging I put the book down only under duress! Read this book. It’s an adventure, a biography, history, and a reminder of how fortunate most of us are that we need not have to confront the personal challenges and horrors that are a disaster…except from the comfort of our favorite lounge chair.

[Philip T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rare Titanic Family, by Julia Hedgepeth Williams, gave a great account of a family who managed to survive the sinking of the Titanic.The book included many primary sources, such as pictures, article excerpts, and first-hand accounts from interviews of the Caldwells. All of them, especially the pictures, help to clarify most of the information. The pictures also help to create a larger understanding of the time period and the characters.
The last book that I read, The Last Gunfight, by Jeff Guinn, included many sidetracks that were loosely related to the main characters. This book does not include many of those, and almost all of the book is directly related to Albert, Sylvia, and Alden. Because of this, A Rare Titanic Family is much easier to understand. I would recommend this book to anyone in middle school or older who is interested in the Titanic and wants to know what the experience was like from a real passenger's perspective.

[Shermika · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book makes one feel as if they are actually on-board the Titanic with Albert, Sylvia and their son Alden. I could visualize the food the Caldwell’s ate as they dined amongst the ship like royalty. You can feel the fear as the story is told about what happens when the Titanic hits the iceberg and what ensues. Williams does a great job with giving a lot of historical context; she even delves into what happens to the Caldwell’s after the Titanic. I won’t spoil this for you though.

If you are a history buff, or just a nerd like me, I know you’ll enjoy this book. The Titanic is such a fascinating part of history and the book offers an insight into the history of the Caldwell’s true survival. The stories that are told are quite fascinating, and it is refreshing to know Williams cemented her family’s place in history with this book.

YOU CAN READ THE REST OF MY REVIEW ON WWW.ARTBLT.COM

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating read for anyone interested in the Titanic disaster. This book maps the path of a young couple, Albert and Sylvia Caldwell, who went to Siam as missionaries, fled the country with their new infant for home in the U.S., happened to get tickets on the Titanic for their return voyage across the Atlantic, and then miraculously survived the sinking as a family unit - something that was very rare among the survivors.
Julie Hedgepeth Williams is a Journalism professor and obviously did mounds of research for this book about her Uncle Al's adventures. Well-researched and written in a very engaging way.

[Ally A · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Rare Titanic Family, by Julie Hedgepeth Williams, I thought was very slow and boring in the beginning of the book. But once I started getting into the story and all the action started happening, it became very interesting. Once the story got involved with the Titanic sinking and how the Caldwell's ended up surviving, the story was even more intriguing. I liked how the point of view was from the Caldwell family and that even though they survived the tragedy, they tried to continue their lives together and that made it very unique. Overall the book really caught my attention and always made me want to read more.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Biographical story about a young missionary couple, Albert and Sylvia Caldwell. The Caldwell's were from the Midwest and sailed to Bangkok to serve as missionaries. Due to Sylvia's illness the Caldwells decided to return to the United States

The Caldwells and their young son Albert boared the Titanic, the books recounts how the survived the sinking of the mighty ship.
The rest of the story is about the family and the trials and tribulations they went through once returning to the United States.