Titanic: An Illustrated History

Donald Lynch and Ken Marschall are considered two of the world's foremost experts on Titanic history. While Lynch is more the historian, Marschall's talents also lie in his magnificent maritime artwork. These men are so good and know their subject so well, that director James Cameron used both as consultants on his movie "Titanic," even to calling them in the middle of the night! Lynch even made a cameo in the film (the first class dad watching his son spinning a top). Both say to this day that they still refer to the movie set as "Titanic" and not "the set" because the details were so exact it was like being on board her in reality. I have met both Lynch and Marschall twice at Titanic Historical Society conventions, and they definitely know their subject as is revealed in this book. (Thanks to Lynch, I became interested in the black family who travelled second class. Now THERE'S a fact Cameron regretted he didn't get to use because he knew critics unfamiliar with Titanic history would have ignorantly screamed "That never happened.")We not only find details of the White Star Line and the famous ship's history -- from her design as one of the three "Olympic" sisters (Olympic, Titanic, Britannic), but the few photographs taken on-board; charts; deck plans; and numerous anecdotes. But often, it is Marschall's recreations in his wonderful artwork that will take your breath away, especially when read alongside Lynch's narrative. To see paintings of her slowly sinking into the Atlantic; the details of her stern high in the air and the sight of tiny figures throwing themselves into the icy water; even his art based on Dr. Robert Ballard's photographs of the wreck site...you would have to be heartless to not be affected by these. To also read the words of many of those few hundred who survived is particularly touching, especially as they watched Titanic go down, most with loved ones still on-board. This is a wonderful book for anyone who -- like me -- fell in love with her at some point in their lives, whether as a child or thanks to Cameron's movie. This book -- along with Marschall's own "Art of Titanic" (which includes work he even did as a young boy) -- will make great additions to your collection of the real life of the true "ship of dreams" and all who were touched by her.

This is a very good book about the Titanic for several reasons. First, the illustrations are varied, numerous, and very interesting--and they are printed on high-quality glossy paper which is pleasant to the eyes and the hands. Second, the information is thorough without being repetitive. Third, the writing is professional and eloquent yet extremely easy and quick to read, very unencumbered by a verbose or dry style. This is a very good all-around book about the Titanic--thorough, entertaining, bittersweet.

Though this book precedes the blockbuster movie by about two years, this book, and its amazing paintings by Ken Marschall, put you right in the middle of the building, sailing and tragic sinking of the behemoth Titanic.Don Lynch's descriptions of life onboard Titanic during those last tragic hours brings to life the events unfolding after the collision with the iceberg. But it is the additional history, describing the onset of the age of the great ocean liners, through the investigation of the tragedy, which really bring the whole story to light.The push to builds faster, bigger liners, the competition between White Star and its main rival, the Cunard Line, the great shipyard at Harland and Wolff Shipbuilders-these are the tales of prehistory which led to the construction, and quite possibly the sinking, of the great ship. It is all presented here in its glorious detail, giving you an understanding of why Titanic was built-and why such mistakes as the horrific l! ack of lifebouts ever occurred as they did. Even the sister ships Britannic and Olympic are given their due.But three things stand out in this tome. First is the way author Lynch brings the human stories-the sacrifices of the Strauss's, the efforts of the officers and wireless crew, the survivors about the rescue ship Carpathia-to a somber and sobering detail. This book gives you insights into stories which the movie only shows as coincidental scenes amidst the fictional love story.Next, the book shows what happened after the sinking; the waiting of the families, the inquiry, the rules put in place due to the disaster. These give you the aftermath; beyond just landing in New York, lingering in the pain of the survivors and families. The loss of the entire Goodwin family is especially disturbing, as are the graphs showing the percentages of deaths as organized by class,Lastly, it is the images, particularly Ken Marschall's depictions of the Titanic in its splendor ! and sinking which bring a lifelike quality to the story. W! hether it is a fold-out diagram of the entire ship, bow-to-stern, or Marschall's eerie views of the sunken ship. discovered by Robert D. Ballard (whose foward opens the book and famed expedition closes it) these make the reader think one is in the midst of a time warp from the early 1900's through present day. They give the real faces to the tragedy.For all of the heart-wrenching emotion of the movie, "Titanic: An Illustrated History" is truly the companion volume for those who want the complete story. Put them together, and you will believe just how real this tragedy was.

This book has so much detail to it, that at times it's almost overwhelming! The pictures that come with it are also very colorful and detailed. I loved the pull out cross section poster of the Titanic; I found it very interesting to look through and read about all the sections of the ship. This is a great book and I suggest it to all that enjoy reading and knowing about the Titanic.