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The Titanic: Disaster of the Century

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The Titanic: Disaster of the Century

Written by: Wyn Craig Wade
Narrated by: Robertson Dean
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About this listen

In this centennial edition of the definitive book on the Titanic, new findings and interviews shed light on the world’s most famous marine disaster for its 100th anniversary.

On that fatal night in 1912, the world’s largest moving object disappeared beneath the waters of the North Atlantic in less than three hours. Why was the ship sailing through waters well known to be a "mass of floating ice"? Why were there too few lifeboats? Why were a third of the survivors crew members? Based on the sensational evidence of the U.S. Senate hearings, eyewitness accounts, and the results of the 1985 Woods Hole expedition that photographed the ship, this electrifying account vividly re-creates the vessel’s last desperate hours afloat and fully addresses the questions that have continued to haunt the tragedy of the Titanic.

©2012 Wyn Craig Wade (P)2012 Tantor
Engineering United States World
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What the critics say

"A thorough, argumentative work." (John Updike, The New Yorker)

What listeners say about The Titanic: Disaster of the Century

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Interesting context

So much more than just what happened on the ship. The distress calls, the ships that responded (or didn’t), the arrival of the survivors in New York, the questioning of company officials and crew, the investigation, and changes to maritime law… its all here. Highly recommended.

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Great book

I loved this book. The author went into as much detail as possible and explained things extremely well when it comes to the history of Titanic. The narrator did a wonderful job, he changed his voice when reading comments and he articulated himself very well. Thank you for the wonderful audiobook. I will most definitely listen to this again.

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Eye-Opening

Clinical Psychologist & amateur historian Wyn Craig Wade tells the story of the Titanic disaster of 14 April, 1912.. mainly through transcriptions from a US Senate Inquiry held in the early days after the sinking. He captures beautifully the fears and frustrations of shocked and bereaved Americans looking for someone to blame in the wake of jawdropping rumors. Through testimony and eyewitness accounts (and eventual examination of the wreckage), Wade reconstructs a terrifying tragedy and explores where mistakes were made (ignored warnings, unprepared crew, underfilled lifeboats, etc.). The end result is a harrowing narrative made human.
Mr. Wade writes capably and with a screenplay-worthy alternating "Witness Statement -> Dramatization -> Witness Statement -> Dramatization" structure that works beautifully to drive pace. Less fortunately, he puts a lot of effort into describing contextual American politics at the time (including the Taft-Roosevelt "primary" race and Michigan Senator William Alden Smith's pre- and post-inquiry career). The research is appreciated but interfered with the narrative - rather than adding to it.

Fortuitously for audiobook afficianados, however: reader Robertson Dean turns in a commendable performance - exhibiting outstanding diction, cadence, and timing.. and a wonderful smooth baritone timbre. Disappointingly, he also reads slightly too slowly (listen at 1.15X), and offers subpar UK accents. Altogether, this is an "above-average" narration.

In toto, 'The Titanic: Disaster Of The Century' rates 8.5 stars out of 10. I am grateful that I got it as a 'Plus' option (free with my subscription).. because - while admittedly imperfect - the recording would merit a Credit.

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