Chapter 15 - A Night to Remember

This year marks the 107th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic on its maiden voyage in the North Atlantic Ocean. Over 1500 people died of a crew and passenger list of about 2200, making it one of the worst non-war maritime disasters of all time.

Considered "unsinkable" the Titanic was built in Belfast, Ireland and was one of three luxury liners operated by the White Star Line. A collision with an iceberg sliced the side of the ship causing her hull to be pushed in, opening five of her sixteen watertight compartments. This caused the Titanic to sink rapidly. Most researchers cite the biggest cause of so many deaths was the lack of and ineffective use of lifeboats, which were considered by the shipbuilder to be unsightly.

There are a lot of good books, both fiction and non-fiction, about the Titanic. If you have any interest in her story or the stories of those aboard here are a few to consider. There is something here for everyone!

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord - This and the follow up book, The Night Lives On were two of the first books I read about the Titanic. A Night to Remember was first written in 1955 and is still considered the definitive resource about the Titanic as Lord interviewed over 60 survivors. The Night Lives On was written after Robert Ballard found the Titanic wreck.

Raise the Titanic by Clive Cussler - This novel by Cussler features the wreck of the Titanic and his hero, Dirk Pitt is working against Russians who want to retrieve the Titanic for their own nefarious purposes.

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor - Another novel, Gaynor tells the story of third class Irish passengers who are sailing on the Titanic in hopes of starting a better life in America. While fiction, it does hold that passengers from County Mayo were the largest proportionate group who lost their lives on the Titanic.

Amanda Miranda by Richard Peck - A novel by Richard Peck, Amanda Miranda is a like a twist on The Prince and the Pauper. Miranda, the daughter of an English lord and a servant, becomes the lady's maid to Amanda, the lord's daughter. She accompanies Amanda on her voyage to America aboard the Titanic. Only one of them survives or does she?

Tonight on the Titanic by Mary Osborne Pope - Part of the Magic Treehouse series by Pope, Tonight on the Titanic tells the adventures of Jack and Annie as they are whisked back to the fateful night the Titanic sank. A parent/teacher reference book is also available for this.

Polar: The Titanic Bear by Daisy Corning Stone Spedden - This book was written by Spedden as a Christmas present for her son, the year after they escaped the Titanic disaster. It gives a detailed accounting of the event as seen by Polar, her son's stuffed bear.

Do you have any favorite books about the Titanic? Just let me know.

You can order these and other books at www.bookendsonline.com.