The Ship of Dreams

The Sinking of the Titanic and the End of the Edwardian Era

By: Mr. Gareth Russell

Narrated by: Jenny Funnell

This original and “meticulously researched retelling of history’s most infamous voyage” (Denise Kiernan, New York Times best-selling author) uses the sinking of the Titanic as a prism through which to examine the end of the Edwardian era and the seismic shift modernity brought to the Western world.

“While there are many Titanic books, this is one readers will consider a favorite” (Voyage).

In April 1912, six notable people were among those privileged to experience the height of luxury - first-class passage on “the ship of dreams”, the RMS Titanic: Lucy Leslie, countess of Rothes; son of the British Empire Tommy Andrews; American captain of industry John Thayer and his son, Jack; Jewish American immigrant Ida Straus; and American model and movie star Dorothy Gibson. Within a week of setting sail, they were all caught up in the horrifying disaster of the Titanic’s sinking, one of the biggest news stories of the century. Today, we can see their stories and the Titanic’s voyage as the beginning of the end of the established hierarchy of the Edwardian era.

Writing in his signature elegant prose and using previously unpublished sources, deck plans, journal entries, and surviving artifacts, Gareth Russell peers through the portholes of these first-class travelers to immerse us in a time of unprecedented change in British and American history. Through their intertwining lives, he examines social, technological, political, and economic forces such as the nuances of the British class system, the explosion of competition in the shipping trade, the birth of the movie industry, the Irish Home Rule Crisis, and the Jewish American immigrant experience while also recounting their intimate stories of bravery, tragedy, and selflessness.

This is “a beautiful requiem” (The Wall Street Journal) in which “readers get the story of this particular floating Tower of Babel in riveting detail, and with all the wider context they could want” (Christian Science Monitor).

©2019 Gareth Russell (P)2019 Simon & Schuster Audio

Meet the Actual People

So far, the best book I have read about the actual PEOPLE aboard the RMS Titanic, rather than the Titanic, itself. I would hardly call it the “end of the Edwardian Era” - I think World War I did that - but it is a compelling examination of the privileged class, and on the flipside, the shameful disregard for the lesser classes. Based largely on survivor accounts, it recounts the events of the disastrous voyage, as well as the survivor guilt experienced by many. Highly recommend!

A look at the era in which the titanic sailed

An interesting look at the Edwardian era, the lives of the people on board the ship and the aftermath of the sinking

New insights to a well known story

I could not stop listening to this. Although quite familiar with the facts about the Titanic, the author deftly wove history, current events and personal stories into a detailed discussion of the Titanic’s last days. It was memorizing and the poignant tales actually brought tears to my eyes. The reader was perfect for this material. Highly recommend.

New Look at the Epic Disaster

I've followed this event for over 40 years and this book put a new face on the humanity involved. Survivor accounts and pace of writing make the account suspenseful and tragic

Worth It

GREAT! Worth it. Love all the details about the Edwardian era. Great narration as well.

Much I didn’t know

about the people on board, with the author using sources such as memoirs, interviews, and letters. But in no way was it dry, as that might suggest. These are very human, at times poignant stories. (For example, we learn how some of the famous couples traveling aboard met). Particularly interesting were the family histories of some of passengers, the sequence of events after hitting the iceberg, the dynamics among passengers in the lifeboats, and the disaster’s effect on the lives of some of the survivors. A must-read for any Titanic enthusiast. I’m not sure it proves that the sinking ended the Edwardian Era. (WWI is a likelier candidate, I think). The narration is excellent. I’m almost certain Jenny Funnel played Sandi opposite Dame Judi Dench in the British TV hit “As Time Goes By.” I’ll be listening again. Very well done indeed.

Captivating listen

Delightful narration, informative commentary about myths and truths of the disaster and told at a wonderful pace.

A thoughtful picture of an epic event in its context

I really appreciated how well the creation of the Titanic, its ill-fated voyage and tragic sinking was fitted into its historical context. The extended stories of a number of the people involved added so much to the picture of the ship’s Edwardian world. I also appreciated the stories of what happened afterwards which connected Titanic and the people involved to the world that followed.

The benind the scenes biography of those on the ship

It was a great book - it got a bit detailed but I like that - it isn’t a ‘quick’ listen —- very in-depth

Mostly good

This was a mostly good book, when it stuck to the topic. Very interesting fleshing out of the various personalities and the time period. But there was a lot of needless speculation--often unfounded--about the sexual preferences of various passengers. A lot. I recall a whole chapter about it for one of the people. It felt unnecessary and intrusive, not to mention disrespectful. These were real people who lost their lives through no fault of their own. To engage in lurid speculation on private matters they didn't choose to discuss publically seems wrong. I prefer to stick with the known facts so we can learn all we can from this tragedy and memorialize those who sadly lost their lives. Other than that, it was a pretty good book. I've read a lot on the Titanic and this still held my interest.