[(Titanic: A Survivor's Story: And The Sinking of the S.S. Titanic )] [Author: Archibald Gracie] [Aug-2005] Paperback – 30 Aug. 2005

This is perhaps one of the most detailed accounts from one of the Titanic survivors I have come across. Not only does Gracie tell what happened from his own perspective, he also went on a heroic search for accounts from other survivors. I think all titanic historians and enthusiasts owe a lot to Gracie for his tireless research. Originally published in 1913, this book is probably one of the earliest attempts to document what happened aimed at the general public. Because of his traumatic experiences and being submerged in freezing water, Gracie never fully recovered and died later on in 1912. In spite of poor health he nonetheless continued collecting accounts and including the evidence revealed from the American and British investigations. For this, I class him as a hero. It should be noted that some of the things Gracie says no longer tally with what we know about Titanic's last moments. For example, he discredits the numerous accounts from people claiming that she snapped in half. He also vilifies Captain Lord of the Californian which may not be entirely fair - indeed, Lord and his descendants have tried tirelessly over the years to clear his name. Furthermore, some of the prejudice against foreign third class passengers are distasteful to a modern reader, as there are numerous accounts of foreign male passengers jumping in lifeboats and hiding in them, and the impression left is that they assumed such behaviour was to be expected from foreigners. However, where these instances occur, it should be noted that the values upheld then were a lot different and while they cannot be excused, we can at least attempt to understand them. Perhaps the thing that I value the most about this book is that it focuses on people's experiences in the lifeboats. Too often survivors' experiences can be ignored. There is often a lot of elaborate detail about the events leading up to accidents at sea, while what people go through in the lifeboats can often be neglected. For me, I would class this book as one of the starting points for any one interested in Titanic's story.

A wonderful account of one of the worst maritime disasters in history, the sinking of Royal Mail Ship Titanic.Written by Colonel Archibald Gracie, we see a wonderful and memorable incite into the days prior to the event, we meet all of the names that have now become forever linked with this event. There is also a blow by blow account of Gracie's escape during the sinking and subsequent rescue.There are interviews with survivors and stories linked with the sinking. A great book from a great man who wanted to name and publicize as many of the people who lost there lives. He sadly died all to young from his experience during the sinking.As a side point, Gracie has been depicted in the 50s classic "A Night to Remember" by actor James Dyrenforth and more recently in James Cameron's "Titanic" by actor Bernard Fox, Fox also had a part in "A Night to Remember" as one of the two look outs who were to spot the fatal ice berg.

We should be thankful to the people who have put their experiences down in writing for the rest of us to have such a little insight into the awful events of that night and how fate conspired to aid their survival against the odds.

I have just started reading this book and it is so good I had to review it right away. I have read the first four chapters and it is told in a manner I have never encounter before. Colonel Gracie gives his account in the way only a gentleman of times gone bye can. His descriptions are concise and to the point and he backs up his account wherever he can with records he has found of others who corroborate either his account or the precise events as he describes them. He tells it in a no nonsense manner, in fact I guess you could say its very military. That's not a bad thing.You really get a sense of what it must have been like. The things that strike me the most are how calm, courageous and gallant everybody was. Among the first class there was no mad rush for the lifeboats or screaming or panic. Only when the ship had slid out from under them did Gracie hear anything of the sort. Only then did the poor souls left in the water fighting for their lives cry out for help and scream and wail and drown. The way he describes this is chilling, especially when he goes on to say how the cries got quieter. Also contrary to popular belief (as portrayed in the recent movie) Officer Murdoch does not shoot himself and the ship did not split in two before it disappeared beneath the Atlantic.It's very unputdownable. I look forward to getting through the rest of this book and finding out what other myths Colonel Gracie might put to rest. I can't recommend this highly enough. Buy it, read it, you won't regret it.:)

Very interesting good theme and presentation.good read

Arrived in perfect condition for a used book. The content was packed and informative and also researched (where needed). Arrived a few days ago and read it already. Amazing!

Seem more of a justification as to why he survived..

From someone who was on board & was able to contact other survivors to get the story out from his experiences.

Ce livre a été écrit par un monsieur plus âgé et ça se ressent à chaque page. C'est écrit dans un langage d'autre fois et des mœurs d'autre fois aussi. Ces descriptions sur les bateaux de sauvetage sont inimitables...et souvent riche en émotion, ce qui surprend parfois! On voit qu'il est.militaire dans chaque phrase très très structurée et l'intérêt qu'il porte aux ordres donnés. Très très different de "A night to remember" mais superbe. A conseiller aussi.

Exciting

If you really want to know how the Titanic went down, this book is much more accurate and much more entertaining than the movie. If you are looking for entertainment only, then this book is much more entertaining than the 1997 movie. The real life stories of REAL survivors is much more interesting than the made up uninteresting characters in the 1997 film.

Bellissima testimonianza, molto interessante e scorrevole, in inglese.

Being gutted to think this is real. Fabulous