A Night To Remember - Final Hours of the Titanic - 2005
Front Cover, A Night To Remember: The Classic Account of the Final Hours of the Titanic by Walter Lord © 1955/1983/2005. GGA Image ID # 10d29254a2
Introduction
"A Night to Remember" by Walter Lord, first published in 1955, remains one of the most evocative and gripping accounts of the tragic sinking of the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912. The 2005 edition of this book continues to captivate readers by detailing the final hours of this ill-fated voyage. Lord's meticulous research and engaging narrative bring to life the human stories behind the Titanic disaster, focusing on the passengers, crew, and their reactions as the tragedy unfolded. As one of the most comprehensive and respected works on the Titanic, "A Night to Remember" highlights the emotions, confusion, and heroism that characterized the sinking and forever etched it into maritime history.
Excerpt from Introduction to the Fiftieth-Anniversary Edition
Amazing as it may seem today, even though the Titanic had sunk forty-three years before, A Night to Remember was the first significant book about the disaster. Despite the passage of all those years, there were still more than sixty Titanic survivors left alive for Lord to interview. But Lord had much more going for him than good timing and groundbreaking research. He was, in many ways, the perfect author for this book.
As a boy, he had enjoyed a transatlantic cruise on the Titanic’s sistership, Olympia, during which he had fantasized about what it must have been like aboard the doomed liner. The Titanic remained a lifelong obsession, and, after a stint in the military during World War II, he worked as a copy editor at a New York ad agency while writing A Night to Remember.
Table of Contents
- Introduction to the Fiftieth-Anniversary Edition Foreword
- “Another Belfast Trip”
- “There’s Talk of an Iceberg, Ma’am”
- “God Himself Could Not Sink This Ship”
- “You Go and I’ll Stay a While”
- “I Believe She’s Gone, Hardy”
- “That’s die Way of It at This Kind of Time”
- “There Is Your Beautiful Nightdress Gone”
- “It Reminds Me of a Bloomin’ Picnic”
- “We’re Going Nordi Like Hell”
- “Go Away—We Have Just Seen Our Husbands Drown”
- Facts About the Titanic
- Acknowledgments
- Passenger List
Back Cover, A Night To Remember: The Classic Account of the Final Hours of the Titanic by Walter Lord © 1955/1983/2005. GGA Image ID # 10d2b33535
From the Back Cover
First published in 1955, A Night to Remember remains the definitive, classic tale of the sinking of the Titanic. Walter Lord interviewed more than sixty survivors before committing their searingly vivid recollections to his minute-by-minute account of the Titanic's fatal collision and the experiences of both passengers and crew under pressure of the unthinkable: the swift plummet into icy waters of the ship promised never to sink.
With a new introduction by Nathaniel Philbrick, bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea and Sea of Glory, this fiftieth-anniversary edition of Walter Lord's classic brings the drama of that night back to life.
As Philbrick concludes in his introduction: "Prom first to last, A Night to Remember is about the people who briefly inhabited the Titanic, and never again will ah author have the opportunity to speak to so many of them. In this most essential way. Lord's book can never be outdone, making A Night to Remember the ultimate survivors' tale."
Library of Congress Catalog Listing
- Personal name: Lord, Walter, 1917-2002.
- Main title: A night to remember / Walter Lord.
- Edition: Rev. illustrated ed.
- Published/Created: New York : Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1976.
- Description: 232 p. : ill. ; 26 cm.
- ISBN: 0030150760 (1976 Edition)
- ISBN-13: 9780805077643
- ISBN-10: 0805077642
- LC classification: G530.T6 L6 1976
- LC Subjects: Titanic (Steamship); Shipwrecks--North Atlantic Ocean
- Notes: Includes index.
- LCCN: 75005462
- Dewey class no.: 910/.09/1631
- Type of material: Book
Key Points
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Human Reactions in the Face of Tragedy: Lord vividly portrays how different people aboard the Titanic reacted to the looming catastrophe. From the calm and composed Captain Smith to the frantic scramble of passengers and crew, the book provides a deeply human look at how individuals responded under extreme pressure.
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Meticulous Timeline of Events: "A Night to Remember" meticulously reconstructs the Titanic’s final hours. The sinking is chronicled minute by minute, showcasing critical decisions, failed communications, and missed opportunities that contributed to the disaster’s magnitude.
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Class and Social Dynamics: Lord sheds light on the stark differences in how first, second, and third-class passengers were treated. The book illustrates how class distinctions affected access to lifeboats, with first-class passengers receiving preferential treatment while many third-class passengers were left behind.
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Eyewitness Accounts: The author relies heavily on eyewitness testimonies from survivors, creating a rich tapestry of personal experiences. These firsthand accounts lend an emotional depth to the narrative and humanize the statistics behind the tragedy.
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The Role of Heroism and Sacrifice: Central to the book is the theme of heroism. "A Night to Remember" celebrates the bravery of many aboard the Titanic, including the band that played on as the ship sank and the crew members who gave their lives trying to save others.
Summary:
"A Night to Remember" offers a compelling and detailed recounting of the Titanic’s last moments. Through a combination of survivor testimonies and extensive research, Walter Lord paints a vivid picture of the disaster, from the ship's collision with the iceberg to its final descent into the icy waters of the Atlantic. The book explores themes of class division, human error, and bravery, while offering a meticulously crafted timeline of the events that led to the loss of more than 1,500 lives. The book remains a vital historical work for those seeking to understand the human stories and failures behind one of the greatest maritime tragedies.
Conclusion:
Walter Lord’s "A Night to Remember" continues to stand as an unparalleled narrative of the Titanic disaster. The 2005 edition ensures that new generations of readers are introduced to the remarkable story of the ship’s final hours. Through its rich detail, personal accounts, and examination of social dynamics, the book highlights not only the tragedy of the sinking but also the enduring strength of the human spirit. Lord's work remains a powerful reminder of the lessons learned from the Titanic and the cost of human hubris in the face of nature.
Book Information
A Night to Remember: The Classic Account of the Final Hours of the Titanic
Walter Lord (2005 Edition)
Description and Condition
A pristine edition of A Night to Remember: The Classic Account of the Final Hours of the Titanic, by Walter Lord, originally published in 1955 and reissued in 2005 with a foreword by Nathaniel Philbrick. This volume remains the definitive narrative of the Titanic disaster, meticulously reconstructing the ship’s fateful voyage through vivid survivor testimonies and a gripping chronological account.
- Format: Paperback with striking front and back cover artwork.
- Pages: 232, including illustrations, historical photographs, and an index.
- Measurements: Approximately 6" x 9" (15 cm x 23 cm).
- Condition: Good, with minimal handling marks, ensuring clarity and vibrancy of text and images.
- Edition: 50th-Anniversary edition, complete with modern insights from renowned maritime historian Nathaniel Philbrick.
Historical Significance
Walter Lord’s A Night to Remember revolutionized Titanic scholarship by being the first significant book to collect survivor testimonies and craft them into a vivid, minute-by-minute reconstruction of the disaster. First published 43 years after the sinking, it captured voices and memories that might otherwise have been lost to history. The 2005 edition reaffirms the book’s status as the ultimate survivor’s tale, connecting readers with both the human and historical dimensions of the tragedy.
Key Features
1. A Timeless Narrative
Lord’s evocative writing style places readers aboard the Titanic, offering a dramatic recounting of the ship’s final hours. His ability to bring the human element to the forefront ensures the story remains as compelling today as when it was first published.
2. Survivor Testimonies
Lord interviewed over 60 Titanic survivors, incorporating their firsthand experiences into the narrative. Their accounts lend unparalleled authenticity and emotional resonance to the story.
3. A Meticulous Timeline
The book offers a minute-by-minute chronicle of the events leading up to and following the iceberg collision, highlighting critical decisions and tragic missteps.
4. Exploration of Class Dynamics
The Titanic disaster exposed the stark class divisions of the early 20th century. Lord’s work examines the disparities in how passengers of different classes were treated during the evacuation, offering a poignant commentary on social inequality.
5. Heroism and Sacrifice
From the ship's band playing until the end to the selfless actions of crew members and passengers, the book celebrates acts of courage and sacrifice amidst the chaos.
6. Legacy and Impact
The book details how the Titanic tragedy reshaped maritime safety standards, including the introduction of lifeboat regulations and the establishment of the International Ice Patrol.
Maritime Historians and Titanic Enthusiasts
This 50th-anniversary edition holds significant appeal for collectors of maritime history, Titanic enthusiasts, and those who value historical narratives. Its blend of literary excellence, historical accuracy, and emotional depth ensures its place as a cornerstone in any collection dedicated to maritime heritage.
Summary
Walter Lord’s A Night to Remember remains an essential work for understanding the Titanic disaster. Combining survivor stories, historical analysis, and a gripping narrative, the book offers an immersive and sobering account of one of history’s greatest maritime tragedies. This edition not only preserves Lord’s original brilliance but also enhances it with modern perspectives, ensuring its continued relevance and appeal.
Conclusion
A true masterpiece of narrative history, A Night to Remember transcends its subject matter to become a universal tale of human tragedy and resilience. The 2005 edition solidifies its legacy as the definitive work on the Titanic, appealing to scholars, collectors, and readers alike. For those seeking a comprehensive and deeply moving account of that fateful night, this volume is an invaluable treasure.
