Customer Reviews

Titanic - The Ship Magnificent Vol II

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Of course, a reader will expect a two-volume set to be packed with information. This expectation is admirably, astonishingly fulfilled by the authors of TITANIC.

What is unexpected though is the clarity of the presentation. Very often Too Much Detail is simply too much and the reader is overwhelmed. No so with these volumes and their specific section by section, deck by deck discussion. You can read for a while, finish a section (or deck), put the book down, and resume later. Your brain is nourished but safe from melt-down.

Even more impressive is the way deck plans are presented. Most liner books don't even include plans (this should certainly be illegal). If the plans are included, they are so small as to be unintelligible. In the TITANIC volumes, the plans are offered in two distinct formats. First, each deck has its own chapter. The overall plan for that deck is shown, giving a general idea of how things were laid out. The second format is deeply and enormously appreciated. The author's enlarged sections of each deck relevant to the adjacent text, and they also re-dew the plans to offer additional clarity and consistency. Wow! For the very first time the great ship is understandable! And what a labyrinth! It's astonishing!

So, I wish to thank the authors for the vast amount of detail. I am even happier they did so without my head reeling!

Have you ever wondered what the "Titanic" may have looked like from within? Have you wondered what lay beyond the riveted steel plates of the "Ship of Dreams?" Perhaps you've wondered what it looked like as one dined in any of the three classes? If you've pondered any of these questions, then "Titanic: The Ship Magnificent" is most definitely the book for you!

This two volume series covering the ship goes into ornate detail about every aspect of the ship. Volume one covers the construction of the "Titanic" and includes chapters that cover everything from the double-bottom to the funnels, masts, and riggings. Volume two covers the fitting out of the behemoth liner. One learns what they would have seen, had they been on the "Titanic's" doomed maiden voyage. If one purchased this encyclopedic volume, they learn how different classes' cabins looked and what might have been available for purchase in the ship's barber shops.

If you are a "Titanic" buff, if you are interested in cruise ships, or if you would just like to learn more about the great "Titanic," then "Titanic: The Ship Magnificent" is definitely the book for you!

The availability of this volume (or even volume I) in the US is almost rare. And if they are available, they are selling for horrendously high prices. I had my sights on these volumes ever since their first edition. But they were never available. Though volume I is perhaps available through Amazon.com, volume II can certainly be obtained from Amazon.co.uk. Fear not US buyers, they ship internationally. Though it may say Out-Stock, it is worth a shot to reserve a copy.

I'm in possession of both volumes, and I'd read through both volumes (which took a while, don't get me wrong) and volume two was definitely my favourite since I've always been interested in the interior of the Olympic Class ships. This is a book for those who are either interested in the Titanic and/or the Edwardian Maritime/Nautical history. It is a must have for any collector! Of course, you will not be tempted to read the entire volume if you have no interest in the dimensions of a square-port, or the thickness of a door frame, but just looking at the abundant amount of pictures is already a task within itself! Bruce Beveridge with his accuracy, precision, research, detail, and overwhelming amount of the information will definitely blow you away. From the dimensions of each door and window, to examples of water closets (toilets) and artist representations of an officer's room will keep you busy for hours. This is gold for those who really want to know the ins-and-outs of the Titanic. You just can't get anymore detailed than this.

The only criticism I may have for the volumes is the index page. The listed pages do not match the pages in the book (the index and pages do not match the information bearing on a certain page). It is just a small setback, but the wealth of information offsets any mistakes (if any besides the index page) that these volumes may possess.

The research done by Mr. Beveridge is commendable in the highest degree, to my own personal opinion! Just simply a terrific must-have for any historian, nautical-engineer-designer enthusiast, or simply, Titanic fanatic!

This is a meticulously detailed volume, and belongs in the library of any true Titanic collector. It is not a casual "reading" book -- it covers the fitting out and fixtures on the Titanic -- from ceiling and wall design, to toilet design. It is lavishly illustrated (although most of the photos are from the sister ship, Olympic). This is a finely detailed volume that no true Titanic collector can ignore. Highly recommended, but definately not for casual readers. You won't find any Titanic "story" here -- this is pure shipbuilding material, with rare and wonderful photos, drawings, and illustrations. Strangely, Volume 2 of this set was published in the US before Volume One (which is being released in July!)....so you sort of get a backwards release of this set that was published in the correct order in Britain.

Although, I am only in possession of volume 2, I am fortunate to have seen both 12 pound books. I am very grateful to the editor, Art Braunshweiger for allowing this. The books that have been written about the Titanic could fill a wing in a library, but only a small selection have new and thought-provoking information between their pages.

Titanic the Ship Magnificent is one of the few books in recent times that a Titanic enthusiast can be excited about. The care and research that went into these volumes is evident from the many new Olympic and Titanic pictures, the well-written text and the feeling that you are exploring the ship as you read along.

Everyone who has been involved in this large project has every right to be proud of these books that no doubt, will be used as reference tools for years to come.

Being a huge Titanic enthusiast, I was so excited to finally get this book! I have e-mailed a couple of the authors and they have been really helpful in answering alot of my questions. I am still waiting to get Volume 1, and don't really understand what is taking so long to get it, but if it is anything like Volume 2, the wait will be worth it. I really love the interiors of the ship and Volume 2 really concentrates on them. The authors have really done their research and this is the definitive book on the Titanic! I really urge all Titanic lovers to get these books. You will not be disapointed.

i hate to burst any one's bubble, but while the whole the content of this book is great, there are two caveats. one, the publisher seems to have botched a great deal of production if my copy is any indication. it is with brooken spine in the middle, many 'about to be loose' pages; and this is a new book. in contacting the shipper of this, they informed me mine was not the only 'boo boo.' many had defects and this boutique' middleman' was having headaches as being caught in the middle. two, if you read the content, which i agree is loaded with detail, many of the pictures are lifted from the sister ship, olympia, which is dutifully ackowledged. my suggestion is to purchase this volume, or the first, from a large organization like amazon.com. if the book comes new and damaged, at least they will underwrite the expense of sending it back and hopefully, replacing it. two, if you see this in a bookstore, examine it thoroughly before purchase. this publisher seems to me to be having production issues. again, just my views.

This volume and its companion leaves no rivet uncounted. For those of a marine engineering bent it is a delicious read. However, I returned both volumes to Amazon.
For such heavy books, the packaging and protection were terrible. Dust jackets were ripped and worn, resulting in used-looking merchandise.
Additionally, the bindings are incredibly cheap for such expensive books, and the endpapers couldn't hide sloppy joining. Volume II's binding was split in the center of the book. It obviously cannot stand even gentle handling. A few interior pages were creased, bent or ink smeared. I expect better than this, especially in the packaging by Amazon. The titles deserve decent workmanship they don't have. Amazon's prices were great, but sterling examples of binding these are not. A potential buyer is advised to personally examine them before plunking down about $100.

Although "The Ship Magnificent" was a catch phrase used for Titanic's sister Olympic, it is a very suitable title for this book. Being part two of the series, this book delves more into Titanic's "Interior Design and Fitting Out." It is a slightly easier read than her companion, and is easier to transport! This book deals with Titanic's interior fittings and decorations, and reads like a written tour of the great ship. We start out with a couple general chapters; the first entitled "A Palatial Hotel" reveals Titanic in her era. We are brought back to a time, with the excellent and engaging writing of the authors, where ships ruled the waves and were the predominant methods of travel. It gives the reader a really warm sense of things that were, and will probably never be again. The next three chapters deal with, among other things Titanic's furnishings (including detailed diagrams of every possible style of chair, bed, in Jacobian, Edwardian, you name it), ladders, doors, sanitary appliances, culinary, and the service of plates. After this, the reader is treated to 9 jam packed chapters on each deck of Titanic. Starting at the bow and proceeding to the stern, Titanic is broken down deck by deck for the reader to go on a tour of the great ship. The reader is never lost because detailed diagrams and historic photographs aid the way. After these chapters follows a detailed passenger accommodation list by class and deck, crew lists, web site references, and a detailed glossary of ship terms. I must say that I enjoyed reading this book more than the first, simply because it was not as technical, and it seemed to flow better. You honestly can't have one book without the other, so if you are going to purchase this one, you need the first one as well. The authors again have not pinched the pennies in terms of detail and generosity. You WILL NOT be disappointed.

My ONLY complaint, out of an honest fairness to you dear purchaser...is beware of the binding, it is not very good with these books. I treat these books with the greatest of respect and care, yet they are already split in several parts down the seams. Now, I cannot vouch for new editions, but the one's I own (2008 ed.) have this problem. If that doesn't bother you, then BUY IT!

If anyone wants to learn what the famous White Star Liner Titanic looked like inside, this is the book for you. Bruce Beveridge and Co have done an amazing job on these books. The photographs and deck plans are top-notch and they have in-depth descriptions about every aspect of the Titanic. I am so glad that a book like this has finally been realized as there are so many books on the demise of the Titanic that people forget how beautiful the ship really was. My only slight criticism is the binding is very weak and comes undone easily. Besides that the definitive book on the RMS Titanic liner. Thanks guys for a titanic effort!