Lawrence Beesley Bücher

10. April 1912. Die Titanic läuft mit 2208 Passagieren und Besatzungsmitgliedern zu ihrer Jungfernfahrt nach New York aus. Ein Schiff der Superlative auf der Fahrt in die größte Katastrophe der Seefahrtsgeschichte. Lawrence Beesley, Passagier der zweiten Klasse, hat den Untergang der Titanic überlebt. In seinem Augenzeugenbericht, der bereits acht Wochen nach dem Unglück gedruckt wurde, beschreibt Beesley packend und minutiös die Vorgänge während und nach der Tragödie. Voller Authentizität und Detailreichtumg - ein bewegendes Dokument, das Brücken in die Vergangenheit schlägt und erlaubt, Parallelen zu den Schiffsunglücken der Gegenwart zu ziehen.

The circumstances surrounding the writing of this book began shortly after the Titanic disaster, when I was invited to share the survivors' experiences at a luncheon in New York. Following my account, Robert Lincoln O'Brien, editor of the Boston Herald, urged me to document a correct history of the tragedy, as he feared that other publications, based on hearsay, would misrepresent the event. His concerns were echoed by those present, leading me to visit Houghton Mifflin Company to discuss publication. Initially, we agreed it might be better to forget the details of the sinking, but upon further reflection, we recognized the importance of accurately chronicling the disaster. My earlier account, written on the Carpathia and published widely, had a calming effect on public opinion, reinforcing my belief in the value of this endeavor. Additionally, I felt a profound responsibility to honor those who perished by advocating for necessary reforms. The haunting cries of those lost in the icy waters serve as a reminder that it is our collective duty to ensure their voices are not forgotten and that meaningful changes are pursued to prevent such tragedies in the future.

'The best first-hand account of a passenger's experiences - a first-rate piece of descriptive writing' THE GUARDIAN