How to Survive the Titanic: The Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Frances Wilson Play Audiobook Sample

How to Survive the Titanic: The Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay Audiobook (Unabridged)

How to Survive the Titanic: The Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay (Unabridged) Audiobook, by Frances Wilson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Robin Sachs Publisher: Dreamscape Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 7.67 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.75 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2011 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN:

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Publisher Description

On the terrifying, chaotic night of April 14, 1912, while the Titanic was sinking, Bruce J. Ismay, the ship's owner, made a decision that would save his life - and end it. Ismay boarded a lifeboat meant for women and children, and within days became The Most Talked-of Man in the World. Branded a coward, he became a flesh-and-blood embodiment of Joseph Conrad's legendary eponymous character, Lord Jim.

How to Survive the Titanic interweaves numerous historical accounts and sources with insights drawn from Conrad's novels. Unlike other survivors, this pivotal figure never again spoke about the Titanic. This intriguing history offers a sympathetic yet clear-eyed explanation of why - important lessons all of us need in order to survive the tragedies and choices of our own lives.

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"The Titanic sunk 100 years ago on April 15, 1912. This book focuses on J. Bruce Ismay, managing director of the White Star Line. He jumped into a lifeboat to save himself as the Titanic was sinking. Ismay never recovers emotionally after the Titanic and also never takes any blame for the disaster. I enjoyed the history lesson."

— Bart (4 out of 5 stars)

How to Survive the Titanic: The Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay (Unabridged) Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.30769230769231 out of 53.30769230769231 out of 53.30769230769231 out of 53.30769230769231 out of 53.30769230769231 out of 5 (3.31)
5 Stars: 1
4 Stars: 4
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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4 Stars: 0
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1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
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Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Very interesting book! I love the Titanic and could read anything about it. "

    — Elizabeth, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " At times the book seems more like a textbook. There is too much discussion of the author, Conrad, who wrote Lord Jim. The facts of Conrad's life and his writings distract from the Ismay story. The book veers off on too many tangents. There are pages of backstory on minor characters to the story. This information could have been conveyed in a more condensed manner. At times, I forgot that it was a story about J. Bruce Ismay when chapters would go by with no mention of him. The chapters that directly discussed Ismay were very interesting and enjoyable to read. I learned many new things and came to know the man better. I now see why he did what though I still am not wild about him as a person. "

    — Tracy, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I had no idea of the figurative "sinking" of Titanic's essential owner. The parallels are unbelievable - I loved this book - and the deeper look into the ship - one that delves far past Leo, but reads as good and quickly as any fictional story would. "

    — Victoria, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not only did I learn more about J. Bruce Ismay I discovered Joseph Conrad who I knew very little about. Well written and well worth reading. "

    — Saturday's, 12/18/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " it was pretty average!!! "

    — crazy, 12/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " It's a very interesting book. It tells the story of the Titanic from J. Bruce Ismay's perspective. The historical research shows that Ismay's is a truly misunderstood character. If you are interested in the Titanic, this is a book for you. "

    — Peter, 12/8/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Unbelievable! I recommend this to everyone! You can hear the transcripts from the inquiries that took place in the Waldrof-Astoria, NY...than the fictional stories that followed. "

    — Jennifer, 10/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Fascinating tale of the Titanic's "villain". For such an interesting subject, the writing style is perplexingly dry. "

    — Victoria, 10/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Very interesting subject matter presented in a disorganized manner. I had to struggle to get through it. "

    — Kevin, 7/4/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The parts of this book about Ismay and the Titanic's legal aftermath get an A. The parts about the actual Titanic get a B. The parts about Joseph Conrad for some reason get an F-. "

    — Aurora, 12/28/2012
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Bit of a disappointment. Too much discussion of Joseph Conrad's Lord Jim and relating that main character to J. Bruce Ismay. And Ismay was not a likable or lovable person so you're not left with any warm fuzzies there...... "

    — Nancy, 10/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " More literary criticism than history. By paralleling the actions of Ismay with Lord Jim from Joseph Conrad, the author gives an interesting perspective on the sinking of the Titanic. A good read if only to learn more about Joseph Conrad. "

    — H, 6/19/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " got a bit slow at times. "

    — Patricrk, 11/2/2011

About Frances Wilson

Frances Wilson was educated at Oxford University and lectured on nineteenth- and twentieth-century English literature for fifteen years before becoming a full-time writer. Her books include Literary Seductions: Compulsive Writers and Diverted Readers and The Ballad of Dorothy Wordsworth: A Life, which won the British Academy Rose Mary Crawshay Prize. She reviews widely in the British press and is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. She divides her time between London and Normandy.

About Robin Sachs

Robin Sachs (1951–2013), actor and narrator, was raised in London and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His audiobook narrations earned ten Earphones Awards. His acting credits include Alias, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dynasty, Nowhere Man, Babylon 5, Diagnosis Murder, Galaxy Quest, Northfork, Ocean’s 11, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, and Megalodon.