Titanic and Liverpool

Reviews / Votes

a carefully researched, appealingly written, beautifully designed and illustrated short book that brings a new perspective to a very oft-told story.
History Today The great port city of Liverpool, a 'Maritime Mercantile City'and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, has come forward to claim ownership of the ship whose very name conjures up the hubris of man's relation with the sea. Titanic was built in Belfast, set sail on her fateful maiden voyage from Southampton, but, on her stern was inscribed the single word 'Liverpool'. Why? Because she was registered in Liverpool where her owner, the White Star line, was based. And with the city's long seafaring tradition, many of the crew who went down on the night of April 15th, 1912 were Liverpudlians, as were a fair sprinkling of the passengers. This exercise in rightful reclaim, Titanic and Liverpool, is written by Dr Alan Scarth, a Liverpool-born historian and a curator at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, and published by Liverpool University Press. But this is no parochial exercise in misplaced local pride: it is a carefully researched, appealingly written, beautifully designed and illustrated short book that brings a new perspective to a very oft-told story.
History Today A delightful and insightful read that asks and answers why the Titanic was built and lays the foundation with a thumbnail sketch of Liverpool, the British Empire's foremost international seaport at the begiining of the twentieth century, the White Star Line, the disater and its aftermath. ... This author is fairly jaded with 'Titanic books' yet enjoyed the author's perspective and recommends it.

Karen Kamuda, Titanic Commutator .... this is an enjoyable read. It is clear, well written and holds the reader's attention throughout. It is reasonably priced and makes a very welcome addition to the more scholarly contributions to the Titanic story. All those who are interested in Liverpool's maritime history will have much cause to thank Alan Scarth for this beautifully produced and well-researched book.

Billy Frank, HSLC Transactions, Vol 159 This fascinating, first of its kind volume explores the history and myths surrounding the sinking in terms of the extraordinary stories that link Europe's preeminent port city of Liverpool and its most famous maritime loss.
The Seniors' Advocate