Iceberg, Right Ahead!

November 1, 2011

Gr 4-8-With innumerable books, movies, documentaries, novels, and biographies all telling versions of the Titanic story, it would seem that there is little more to learn, yet by providing more details and some of the most up-to-date research, McPherson's compelling, thoughtful narrative proves otherwise. Organized chronologically, the volume begins with the inspiration for the construction of the Titanic, giving a brief overview of transatlantic travel at the time, thereby setting the stage for the tragic events to follow. Weaving together quotes from interviews, newspaper accounts, and other primary-source material, the author lays out what happened on April 14, 1912, taking readers all over the ship, from first class to steerage, from the depths of the boiler rooms to the heights of the crow's nest lookout. She doesn't shy away from areas of controversy, using research to show where mistakes were made or misinformation was given. The layout includes plenty of period photographs, diagrams, artwork, and sidebars with interesting tangential tidbits, making for a thorough resource. McPherson closes with the Titanic's legacy in maritime safety regulations, the salvaging laws of shipwrecks, and, of course, the timeless story of heroism and tragic loss. A comprehensive, well-written, thoroughly researched title.-Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA

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