A Night to Remember by Walter Lord Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Night to Remember
Book Review: A Book To Forget
Summary: 2 Stars
This book comes across like a listing out of Who's Who of the era. Extremely light on technical detail, it has almost no information about the building of the Titanic, or about the hearings held after the sinking.
Lord takes great pains to avoid offending the reputation of anyone on the ship, including the captain, the designers, and the builders of the Titanic, even though their collective and individual negligence was responsible for the disaster. The captain is portrayed as a stalwart, steady individual, though he was ultimately the individual most responsible for the sinking and deaths of quite a number of people. There's no mention of why he was running full steam through an icefield, despite half a dozen radio warnings concerning ice in the area. Incidentally, Lord's description would lead you to believe the Captain was chosen because of his popularity, not ability, and he bears no blame because the rich people liked his affable personality.
The construction of the Titanic is described as 'watertight compartments'. No, they were *not* watertight, or the ship wouldn't have sunk. There were watertight bulkheads between compartments, essentially dams until the water level rose higher than the top of each bulkhead. Maybe the captain believed that 'watertight' description was accurate, and didn't bother to look himself. Maybe that's why the disaster happenned.
Lord doesn't do anything to clarify the 'why', only the 'who'.
Book Review: A Great Book That Keeps You on The Edge of Your Seat
Summary: 4 Stars
There are good books, and there are not so good books. Walter Lord's A Night To Remember is definitly one of those good books. I thought that the quality in this book was amazing, and kept you on the edge of your seat. He uses descriptive phrases combined with eyewittnes accounts/interviews with the survivors to make you feel like you are there on the ship with them. When I was reading this, I could almost feel the desperation of trying to get in one of the few lifeboats aboard the titanic.
I would definitly recommend this book to anyone looking to read a good book in their spare time-whether they be old, young, male or female. In my opinion, even though some details are outdated, I still feel that this is a classic, timeless book on the events of the sinking of the Titanic.
Book Review: An Absolute Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
An example of a great writer telling more with less. Walter Lord took volumns of interviews with Titanic survivors and boiled them down to the dramatic essence that is this book. Tightly written with a fast pace that manages to build suspense despite knowing the ultimate fate of the ship.
There are so many who write the "disaster" book now, but 50 years after its first publication, this book still sets the mark for the genre.
Book Review: Book Talk Review
Summary: 4 Stars
The book A Night to Remember by Walter Lord is an exciting educational learning experience reliving the night of April 14, 1912, the night the Luxurious Liner Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. This book is filled with facts, actual interviews, and transitions to help you understand the terrible tragedy that took place. It gives you a sense of wonder and sorrow and keeps you interested every page. For die-hard Titanic fans, this book is definitely the best. Even if your not, the way Walter Lord writes captures your mind and attention. This book was excellent, one I will read repeatedly and still catch things I missed before. This is a great book for everyone.Book Review: C.Wilmarth
Summary: 5 Stars
One major conflict in "A Night To Remember" is when the Titanic and all its passengers and cargo started to sink. The story has a few climaxes and conflicts but I think the best one is when the Titanic started to sink. The Titanic had very high losses of lives because of the simple little fact that the Titanic only had enough life boats for half the people on board. Although many lives were lost some were saved by the Carpathia. The Carpathia was the first ship to arrive on scene of where thr Titanic had sunk. Thankfully for the survivors of the Titanic the Carpathia was prepared to save their lives.
I would compare Captain Smith to Gabriel in "Gabriel's Horses". These two characters would get along great because both have a passion for what they do and they're both determined at what they do. They would be able to help each other out because both are quick on their feet and both are very clever. The only problem is Gabriel is a lot younger than Captain Smith.
Walter Lord made "A Night To Remember" extremely suspenseful. The statistics will just take your breath away and leave you speechless! Incredible details, for example the book tells the exact time things were happening. Walter Lord makes you feel like your right there when all the action is taking place. This book deserves two thumbs up just for the amazing detail. You can really tell Walter Lord did tons of research, and it really shows! Walter Lord really out did himself with this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone any day. It is very educational, and jammed pack full of facts! It would be a great book for children to read because its not to long and the words aren't to big. If your into non-fiction books this is the for you. "A Night To Remember" is very understandable so people of all ages will be able to read it and comprehend what they read.
I think the theme of the story is don't be to sure of yourself. For example the Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable but it sank on the first voyage. I can apply this theme to real life by not trying to out do myself. Also I can apply this theme by just being happy with what I have. I hope Walter Lord creates another book like "A Night To Remember".