Spotlight: 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic

On April 15th, 1912 the RMS Titanic collided with an ice berg, and went to her watery grave with 1,514 passengers and crew. This terrible tragedy has captured our imaginations for generations, and the 100th anniversary has renewed interest. We've gathered together some interesting links from around the web, as well as books and DVDs available here at Carnegie-Stout.

Of course we do have James Cameron's Titanic starring Leonardo DiCaprio on both DVD and blu-ray.

We also have the 1953 film Titanic starring Barbara Stanwyck in addition to three documentaries on the topic:
Secrets of the Titanic (DVD 910.45 SEC)
Titanic : how it really sank (DVD 910.91634 TIT)
Titanic : the complete story (DVD 910.91634 TIT)

There are a number of new documentaries and dramas airing on TV this month. Including a two part mini-series on ABC produced by Julian Fellowes (the man behind Downton Abbey), and a number of programs on PBS.

For those looking for a more immersive experience, a trip to Branson, Missouri might be in order. If a road trip to see Titanic Branson is not in your schedule, you still might want to check out their website, which includes video profiles of passengers and more. You may also enjoy the website of RMS Titanic, Inc, a company which has been behind seven research expeditions to the undersea wreckage and worldwide exhibitions of Titanic artifacts recovered from the wreckage. Their website includes information and photographs.

Still not enough? Mills Morgan Travel is offering a Titanic Memorial Cruise from Southampton to (hopefully) New York. Or maybe you'd prefer to stay on dry land and peruse the Library of Congress' Titanic Pathfinder, the BBC's Titanic archive, or the official Titanic Facebook page.

A selection of books on the Titanic available at Carnegie-Stout:
A Night to Remember by Walter Lord
(910.91634 LOR) Mr. Lord brought an immersive, human-centered touch to his histories. His dramatic, richly detailed, and painstakingly researched examination of the sinking of the Titanic remains a classic of narrative nonfiction more than fifty years after its original publication.

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott
Seamstress Tess Collins, maid to fashion designer Lady Lucile Duff Gordon, finds herself sailing on the Titanic towards her dreams of a better life. Ms. Alcott's first novel focuses on the aftermath of the disaster, and includes a bit of romance for Tess.

The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan
Grace Winter survived the sinking of an ocean liner crossing the Atlantic in 1914 and three weeks in an overcrowded lifeboat with minimal supplies. Ms. Rogan's first novel is a compelling look at human nature, self-sacrifice, and the will to survive.

Voyagers of the Titanic by R. P. T. Davenport-Hines
(910.91634) A history of the Titanic and its ill-fated voyage focuses on the passengers, crew, and builders and illuminates the heroism, sacrifice, hope and love that emerged from the tragedy.

The Band that Played On by Steve Turner
(910.91634) The story of the musicians who went down with the ship, a story that has fascinated readers since the first news reports. Who were these brave men? What was the last song they played?

Lost Voices from the Titanic by Nick Barratt
(910.91634) Mr. Barratt provides the definitive narrative of the disaster in the words of those who were involved--including the designers and naval architects at the White Star Line; first-class aristocratic passengers and the families in third class and steerage, many of whom were simply seeking a better life in America; and the boards ofinquiry, whose task it was to help change maritime law to ensure that such an event never took place again.

Building the Titanic by Rod Green
(623.82 GRE) Features a detailed account of the creation of the Titanic, telling the story of how the ship was designed and constructed and why its legend continues to fascinate.

Titanic's Last Secrets by Bradford Matsen
(910.91634) John Chatterton and Richie Kohler, of Shadow Divers fame, look into the sinking of the Titanic. Mr. Matsen tells of their investigation of the wreck of both the Titanic and her sister ship, the Britannic.

Please stop by the Recommendations Desk on the first floor, check out NoveList Plus on the library's website, or visit W. 11th & Bluff next week for more reading suggestions. Or submit a Personal Recommendations request, and we'll create a reading list just for you!