Yes, it was probably helped by the fact that I loved Leonardo di Caprio, but more than that I was infinitely fascinated by the glamour of the ship and the way that so many people died on that dark, freezing night.Īlthough I read a lot of books about it at that time, it was only last year that I read A Night to Remember, probably one of the most famous books ever written about the Titanic. When James Cameron's Titanic was released in 1997 I was 15 years old, and after seeing the movie I became completely obsessed with reading every single book about Titanic that I could get my hands on. So, although this book could not have the drama of the previous volume, it was still a very good read indeed. The Captain of the Californian, who neglected to investigate the rockets clearly visible to the much nearer ship, 'crept without heroic fanfare into Boston Harbour,' and were later investigated for their failure to respond. The Captain of the Carpathia, who immediately steamed to the aid of the stricken Titanic, was seen as a hero and his career was aided by the tragic events of that night. Ismay's stepping into a lifeboat saw him retreat into becoming virtually a recluse. What was most fascinating to me was the way that decisions had life long effects on those involved. However, even though there were not enough lifeboats, why were the ones launched often not even half full? Why did so many people in third class die and why were ice warnings not heeded, are some of the questions asked. Why was Titanic described as unsinkable and how far was that true? Safety features were sacrificed for competitive reasons. This looks at various myths and stories around the ship and the aftermath of the sinking.

'A Night to Remember,' set out to tell the story of the disaster and, as such, was a much more gripping read. This was published after the discovery of Titanic in 1985 revived press excitement - although, as Lord states in the book, public interest had never diminished.

Having finally got around to reading, and loving, 'A Night to Remember,' I was keen to read the author's second book on Titanic.

The Night Lives On by Walter Lord