by Colonel Archibald Gracie
Read by Frederick Davidson

Fascination with the sinking of the Titanic still runs high, as indeed it has since 1912, so this firsthand account is a good addition to any collection. It is sometimes excruciatingly detailed, but this very elegantly written narrative by a man who actually did sink with the ship (he was later hauled into a lifeboat) is often riveting. The reading by Frederick Davidson is almost annoyingly matter-of-fact and even singsong, recounting horrific sights and sounds in an offhand manner that does not really suit the material, but this can be overcome by the listener's imagination, well-fueled by Gracie's descriptions. The book ends quite abruptly; Gracie died the following December from the effects of his ordeal and did not get a chance to write his planned summary. Titanic buffs will love this on-the-spot reporting; others will also find much to enjoy and ponder.