The Ship of Dreams

The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era

By: Mr. Gareth Russell

Narrated by: Jenny Funnell

Length: 12 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

This original and “meticulously researched retelling of history’s most infamous voyage” (Denise Kiernan, New York Times best-selling author) uses the sinking of the Titanic as a prism through which to examine the end of the Edwardian era and the seismic shift modernity brought to the Western world.

“While there are many Titanic books, this is one readers will consider a favorite” (Voyage).

In April 1912, six notable people were among those privileged to experience the height of luxury - first-class passage on “the ship of dreams”, the RMS Titanic: Lucy Leslie, countess of Rothes; son of the British Empire Tommy Andrews; American captain of industry John Thayer and his son, Jack; Jewish American immigrant Ida Straus; and American model and movie star Dorothy Gibson. Within a week of setting sail, they were all caught up in the horrifying disaster of the Titanic’s sinking, one of the biggest news stories of the century. Today, we can see their stories and the Titanic’s voyage as the beginning of the end of the established hierarchy of the Edwardian era.

Writing in his signature elegant prose and using previously unpublished sources, deck plans, journal entries, and surviving artifacts, Gareth Russell peers through the portholes of these first-class travelers to immerse us in a time of unprecedented change in British and American history. Through their intertwining lives, he examines social, technological, political, and economic forces such as the nuances of the British class system, the explosion of competition in the shipping trade, the birth of the movie industry, the Irish Home Rule Crisis, and the Jewish American immigrant experience while also recounting their intimate stories of bravery, tragedy, and selflessness.

This is “a beautiful requiem” (The Wall Street Journal) in which “readers get the story of this particular floating Tower of Babel in riveting detail, and with all the wider context they could want” (Christian Science Monitor).

©2019 Gareth Russell (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Captivating listen

Delightful narration, informative commentary about myths and truths of the disaster and told at a wonderful pace.

Meet the Actual People

So far, the best book I have read about the actual PEOPLE aboard the RMS Titanic, rather than the Titanic, itself. I would hardly call it the “end of the Edwardian Era” - I think World War I did that - but it is a compelling examination of the privileged class, and on the flipside, the shameful disregard for the lesser classes. Based largely on survivor accounts, it recounts the events of the disastrous voyage, as well as the survivor guilt experienced by many. Highly recommend!

A look at the era in which the titanic sailed

An interesting look at the Edwardian era, the lives of the people on board the ship and the aftermath of the sinking

New Look at the Epic Disaster

I've followed this event for over 40 years and this book put a new face on the humanity involved. Survivor accounts and pace of writing make the account suspenseful and tragic

Worth It

GREAT! Worth it. Love all the details about the Edwardian era. Great narration as well.

Excellent on so many levels

This meticulously researched book not only is the definitive word on what happened that awful night, but is also a superb comment on the end of the Edwardian world that presaged the First World War... I was amazed at how much I learned, and how it held me in rapt attention.

Amazingly researched...

Every time I read a credible book about the Titanic I learn more. This was very well done. Fascinating details and tremendous research. The reader was pitch perfect. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Loved it!

I really love Prince Harry. He is my favorite Royal. He is so totally honest and open and down-to-earth.
I sincerely hope he reunites with his father and Prince William as well as the entire family.
I wish him good luck always in all he undertakes. He has a beautiful wife and children. They are precious.
Lucindy

One of my favorites

I'm definitely a history buff and Titanic researcher. This is one of my favorite books on the TItanic disaster because it discusses in a good bit of detail some of the people involved, the time period, what was happening in history, some of the politics of the day, and how a lot of this all came together on one fateful night. If you're interested in a little more than the ship and how it sank, this might be one you'll enjoy.

I really love this book.

I really enjoyed this book. Thank you to Philippa @ British History for recommending it. Anyone who loves history of Edwardian times and some of those who went on the Titanic will want to read this. At one point it sounds like the writer is talking about the unsinkable Molly Brown but it's never clear? I never knew survivors of the Titanic committed suicide, sadly not surprised. This is a book I will read more than once I only wish it there was more.
Thank you!!