Stone looks at the iconic maritime tragedy in a new light, focusing not on the personalities who died or survived but on the abyssal dwelling place of the Titanic’s remains, and reconstructs what likely happened to the ship as it sank. Stone situates all this in the context of shipwrecks in general, noting the astonishing statistic that the Titanic is but one of some three million vessels now resting beneath the waves. He immerses readers in the science of shipwrecks and the actual effects on materials that make the inexorable dive to the seafloor ... The breadth of Stone’s coverage includes a summary of American Black journalism’s attitudes toward the disaster. Stone’s mastery of his subject and his novel approach to this so-often-told tale will compel even readers who think they already know too much about the Titanic to take a plunge into this fresh narrative.
Stone’s book is an interesting intersection of science and psychology as he traces the history of the Titanic, and our continual fascination with it, after its sinking. Although centered around that most famous of wrecks, Stone enlarges his view to encompass other famous wrecks and the obsessions, and subsequent actions they create in the hearts of (by and large) men. The details are exquisite, the science is insightful and the personalities of the men who seek, and even claim, shipwrecks is over-the-top entertaining ... A delightful read about humanity’s fascination and obsession with the sea and sea-wrecks.
Though the author focuses on the Titanic, he writes about other maritime tragedies and maritime-related science, including hypothermia, what to do if you find yourself on a sinking ship, how sound travels underwater, disappearances in the Bermuda Triangle, and the effects of water pressure on the lungs. From the beginning of the narrative, Stone effectively draws readers in with his own great storytelling skills ... A captivating read for Titanic and maritime enthusiasts.
... incisive and entertaining ... Though Stone dives deep into technical matters, the book’s most intriguing sections spotlight obsessives who have devoted their lives to the subject ... Colorful personalities, astute cultural analysis, and fascinating details about the science of shipwrecks and the mechanics of salvage operations make this a must-read for Titanic buffs.
