“Titanic: An Illustrated History”, text by Donald Lynch, paintings by Ken Marschall, introduction by Robert D. Ballard

 

224 pages, Hyperion, ISBN-13: 978-0786864010

 

Back in the day, before Cameron’s execrable Titanic was even thought about, I was a Titanic buff, so much so that my parents bought me book after book on the subject…like this one, Titanic: An Illustrated History, written by Donald Lynch, but more importantly illustrated by Ken Marschall, a man who must know better than the builders how Titanic was put together. While this volume came out after the film, it was in no way influenced by it, as the author goes to great lengths to dispel myths presented in Cameron’s work of propaganda – in particular, while people of different social classes were pitted against one another in the struggle for survival in the movie, the book was full of examples of people, of every social class, who willingly sacrificed their lives so that others could live. The information, the original pictures, the paintings, the illustrations are, in a word, priceless. 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 class sisters (Olympic, Titanic and 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 onboard. 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 that Cameron-thing. This book will make a great addition to your collection of the real life ship of dreams and all who were touched by her.