Ken Marschall

Summary: Ghosts of the Abyss was written by two Titanic scholars as a companion to and record of James Cameron's 2003 film of the same name. After the huge success of his 1997 film, Cameron returned to the wreck of the Titanic to get more footage, armed with new submersibles, new cameras, new lights, and new remote-operated vehicles that were small enough to enter parts of the ship that have lain unseen since April 14th, 1912. Photographs from the wreckage and their period counterparts are show more alternated with sections that describe the voyage and sinking of the great ship, as well as the authors' recollections of the expedition to its remains - a visit to the remains of one of the greatest tragedies of the early twentieth century, a visit that coincided with the greatest tragedy of the early twentyfirst century: the attack on the World Trade Center.

Review: I was just starting school when the wreck of the Titanic was discovered in 1985, and while I don't remember knowing about it as news, I certainly knew the story of how the great ship went down (thanks to perhaps the world's most inappropriately jaunty campfire song). My grade school library had this fantastic book that had diagrams of the boat, descriptions of what happened, maps of how it lay now on the ocean floor, and - best, to my mind - pictures of the wreckage lined up with pictures of corresponding structures or objects from 1912. I had that book checked out almost continuously through grade school, and although I can't remember which book it was, when I saw Ghosts of the Abyss, I knew I had to check it out and see how it compared.

On some fronts, it's fantastic. The expedition that formed the basis of the book penetrated deeper into the wreck than any before it, and there are some amazingly intact things amidst the wreckage. There's a definite power to seeing actual objects that were last seen and used and handled by people over ninety years ago, especially when they can be matched up to identical period photographs. These "then-and-now" sections this book does very well, and these parts at least are a worthy addition to the bulk of knowledge about the ship and its history. However, the book is lacking a lot of relevant information - no maps or diagrams of the ship, for starters - and so feels incomplete. Also, it's pretty clear that being one of the world's foremost experts on the Titanic does not automatically make one a gifted writer - the narrative descriptions both of the sinking of the Titanic and of this expedition to its wreckage are kind of stilted and strangely paced, and the parallels to the September 11th attacks (which happened while one of the authors was actually two and a half miles underwater, at the wreck site) didn't have the resonance or power that they could have had in the hands of a more practiced storyteller. 3 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Since this is technically a companion to a film which I have not seen, perhaps I'm judging it too harshly for being incomplete. However, if you're after a general book about the exploration of the Titanic, there have to be more thorough ones out there... and this one doesn't hold a candle to the memory of the one I loved during grade school. show less

Jake's Review: Seriously mom -- another one -- you know you have a problem right? Yes, I will give it a fair chance and pretend that my mom isn't weird. Ok this book is easy to read and there are lots of pictures to keep me turning the pages. This would be a really good book to learn the facts about the Titanic, and how and why it sank. I think it would be a good book for Teachers and Librarians and its not even boring. It's neat to see the pictures of what the ship looks like underwater now show more & sorta creepy. It's really sad that so many kids died - especially when a bunch of rich guys didn't (Shhh don't tell mom -- she will go on and on about that Ismay dude) Just so you all know my Mom sings that Titanic song all the time and she has Titanic ice cube trays.

Jake's Rating: 7/10

Mom's Review: Nice kid eh? Ok he really does have a point - damn I hate it when kids are right. I hereby declare that I no longer will make my kid read books about the Titanic & if I do - I owe him huge. Also this book is going on MY shelf and not his. I loved this book - but really did you think I wouldn't. It's full of all sorts of facts and figures about everything Titanic related. It is very colourful with lots of pictures, diagrams, etc that will keep even the more reluctant reader interested. I even learned a few new things, for instance I didn't know the Titanic was 882 1/2 feet long (you get the title now don't ya?) It is a good introduction to the Titanic disaster and would be a very useful tool for both Teachers and Librarians (and a nice addiction to fellow Titanic freaks bookshelves) The Index is pretty detailed and the glossary and recommended reading section are extremely helpful for the intended audience. And yes I will probably go to see Titanic in 3D on April 14th because as my son said I'm weird.

Mom's Rating: 10/10

We received this from Scholastic in exchange for an honest review show less

This children's book about the Titanic features superb illustrations by Ken Marschall, who specializes in drawings recreating the great ship. The story follows three real families that sailed on the Titanic, two staying in third class and one in first class. While not everyone in these families survives the disaster, the story understandably doesn't dwell on the tragedy -- this is, after all, a book for kids. The narrative is lackluster, but the illustrations more than make up for it. Even show more though it's written for young people, I'd recommend to adults for the drawings, which are more than worth the price. show less

This is a rather sad review for me to write. My grandmother who was born the day the Titanic sunk (or hit the iceberg) was always fascinated by the Titanic. It meant something to her. I saw this book in a catalog and I ordered it for her for Christmas one year and sent it to her.

Unfortunately, she was ill and the book was too heavy for her. I heard that she looked at the cover and said it looked good, she'd read it someday.

She didn't survive much longer and she never got to read the book.

I show more ended up getting it back eventually and I read it.

And really, really liked it. I will always keep it as it is not just a good, informative picture book, it reminds me of Grandma. show less