The Loss of the S.S. Titanic, Its Story and Its Lessons

by Lawrence Beesley

(Available at Internet Bookshop)

A sensible but thoroughly absorbing account written by second-class passenger and young Dulwich schoolmaster Lawrence Beesley who was intent on capturing the accurate atmosphere on board both the Titanic and Carpathia, dismissing the sensationalist elements and myths, which even then had begun to grow. Covering his arrival on board, preceded by a short account of the ship's construction and interior, the events of the night itself, his aiding the recording of survivors on board the Carpathia to arrival in New York only to find himself reported dead. Finally the lessons he felt should be learned from the disaster.

The Titanic: The Full Story of a Tragedy

by Michael Davie

Former British journalist Michael Davie, wrote this book a couple of years after the wreck of the Titanic was discovered. In it he investigates the tragedy, examining coverage by the press, findings of the board of enquiry and correspondence in the newspapers between such noted authors as George Bernard Shaw and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. He also details the results of his research in the US, Britain and at the Halifaz Archives (Nova Scotia) and his meetings with a relative of men who worked on the building of the Titanic, the son of young Mr Thayer who survived, and those involved in the Titanic field.

The Loss of the Titanic

by Washington Dodge

The text of a speech survivor Dr Dodge gave to the Commonwealth Club in San Francisco in May 1912 to put the record straight as to what he experienced and witnessed. Later privately published.

Titanic, A Survivor's Story

by Archibald Gracie

(Available at Internet Bookshop)

First-class passenger and amateur historian Colonel Gracie died at the end of 1912 leaving this book. Not only did he cover his own story and his escape from the Titanic in her last moments but, from the result of interviews with many other survivors, built up a picture of who occupied and what went on in each of the lifeboats.

Titanic Voices: Memories from the Fateful Voyage

by Donald Hyslop, Alastair Forsyth & Sheila Jemima

(Available at Internet Bookshop)

Compiled and written by Historians from Southampton City Council . Using unique sources of the City Heritage Collection, the Titanic Relief Fund which provided for the dependants of the many local men lost and the Oral History Unit. This tells the story of the tragedy as seen from the Southampton viewpoint, how it affected the community from which a large proportion of the Titanic's crew were drawn. Containing very many illustrations including local newspapers, photographs, letters and documents from private collections.

A Night to Remember

by Walter Lord

(Available at Internet Bookshop)

Probably the best known of all Titanic books and the one on which the film of the same name was based. As the foreward notes "This is the story of her last night" - written in 1955 at a time when many survivors were still alive to recall that fateful night and tell of their experiences. Little changed from the original apart from the addition of more illustrations by popular demand.

The Story of the Titanic as Told by Its Survivors

Accounts by Beesley, Gracie, Lightoller and Bride - Edited by Jack Winocour

(Available at Internet Bookshop)

Volume which contains the four very individual accounts of passengers Archibald Gracie & Lawrence Beesley and crew members Commander Lightoller (the senior surviving officer) & Harold Bride (marconi operator).

Each man's account details the unfolding events viewed from his own involvement and perspectives. Some from the commencement of the voyage, all through to the disaster itself and the immediate aftermath.

The London Encyclopedia

by Ben Weinreb and Christopher Hibbert

(Available at Internet Bookshop)

Discover the history, architecture and topography of London. The culmination of many years work by the late Ben Weinreb and architect Christopher Hibbert. Whether you are interested in particular areas, streets, individual properties, pubs, churches or more general subjects such as London transport or street vendors this is a book which you will find yourself returning to again and again.

If you should be interested in purchasing any of these books you can go direct to their entry with internet bookshop (WHSmith Online) by clicking the visit buttons displayed below the book's title and author.

These links to the catalogue will take you to the usual paperback edition available in the UK. (Some of which will be US ed's)

Some of these books have other editions available ie Hardback, Large Print, US, or larger versions where for instance the original has been expanded to include more illustrations. These can also be located in the internet bookshop (WHSmith Online) catalogue by searching for the author/title.

Should you get a 'Selected Title Unavailable' page indicating the book is out of print please ignore - this is incorrect - and try the order link again. If you continue to get the same message click on the search tab at the top of the 'Selected Title Unavailable' page then fill in the author or title this will take you to their entries.

Copyright © 2008, Dinah Burnett