It's difficult to rate this book. The original was published in 1912 (this particular copy is a 1998 reprint) and seems to have been published to sell while the iron was hot, so to speak. For its purpose at the time and the age I'd give it a 3 but for misinformation it contained I'd rate it lower. I do feel that if you are new to Titanic history it is not a good book but for someone who has a broader knowledge of the subject it is interesting reading and a bit fun if not taken seriously as a factual accounting. It might make a newer reader seek out more information and would certainly be a good starting point for debate by enthusiasts. It's definitely not for people who only want absolute facts but was a flash to the past and an example of how mass media of the early 1900s is similar to that of today with conflicting eyewitness and survivor testimonies, bizarre accountings from unnamed sources, rumor and gossip. ( )

This was my first attempt at reading something other than theory and straight history regarding the Titanic. These first hand accounts from a variety of survivors are quite terrifying and harrowing. Strangely enough, one of the most interesting parts of this book is the discussion of the hearings that were held by the US government after the survivors were brought to shore. This part of the saga never gets enough attention, and gives some of the most fascinating details about the making of the ship and the politics behind some of the fateful decisions in its design (ex. lack of lifeboats). It's a very important read, but it could have been edited more effectively and reduced by about 60-80 pages. ( )

The first hand accounts and reports of survivors of the Titanic sinking. While the story's are gripping and harrowing they are full of misspellings and errors and it makes it a little hard to read in places and alot of the facts are repeated more than once throughout the book. There are some great photos included and a list of all the people on the ship including those saved and lost. ( )

This book intersects two of my favorite genres: disasters and turn of the century reportage. The eyewitness accounts of the tragedy are accompanied by bombastic reporting of the events. Interesting to compare this perspective with more recent analysis.
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from the title page:
Memorial Edition, Sinking of the "Titanic"
Most Appalling Ocean Horror
With Graphic Descriptions of Hundreds
Swept to Eternity Beneath the Waves;
Panic Stricken Multitudes Facing
Sure Death, and Thrilling
Stories of This Most Overwhelming Catastrophe
To Which is Added Vivid Accounts of Heart-
Rending Scenes, When Hundreds Were
Doomed to Watery Graves, Compiled
From Soul Stirring Stories Told By
Eye Witnesses of This Terrible
Horror of the Briny Deep

by Jay Henry Mowbray, Ph.D., LL.D.
The Well Known Author

Profusely Illustrated with a Great Many Photographs of
Thrilling Scenes in this Fearful Catastrophe
To Which is Added Accounts of Other Great Disasters