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Desperate Hours: The Epic Story of the Rescue of the Andrea Doria 1st Edition

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Richard Goldstein (Author)
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Richard Goldstein (Author)
4.6 out of 5 stars 27 customer reviews
ISBN-13: 978-0471389347
ISBN-10: 047138934X
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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 28, 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 047138934X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0471389347
  • Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.1 x 9.6 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,166,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsA+!
A Kid's Review on March 23, 2002
Format: Hardcover
I recently read this book, and found it an amazing acount of the Doria's sinking. The book starts with a description of the voyage, then builds up to the climax- the capsize. The book gave a detailed account of what the passengers did in the final hours, what occured on the rescue ships, as well as the Stockholm, and the court battle later on. I would reccomend this book to anyone! Hey, I'm a kid, and I loved it! You will too!
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4.0 out of 5 starsLAST GREAT DOOMED LINER
By Severin Olson on March 2, 2012
Format: Paperback
The Andrea Doria was really the last great ocean liner disaster, coming as the ship gave way to the jet. Despite a double hull and two working radars, a collision took the lives of forty-six souls. It's belly sliced open, the Doria, considered by many to be the most beautiful ship, sank after eleven hours. Fortunately, over a thousand remaining on board were saved in the ensuing rescue, one of the largest in history. Like the Titanic, it demonstrated the limits of technology and showed disaster can happen at any time. But this played out very differently. No one was hurt in Titanic's collision, but most aboard perished as rescue came too late. By contrast Andrea Doria's deaths came in the accident itself. All others were saved in the 'desperate hours' described here.

Although a bit choppy at times, this is a book most will enjoy. As is so often the case, I found the memories chapter at the end to be one of the best. It is always fascinating to see what became of the people caught up in the action. The discussion of possible causes of the accident is good as well.
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4.0 out of 5 starsFocus on people makes the story come alive
By A Customer on November 27, 2001
Format: Hardcover
Goldstein has taken a well known story and put a new face on it. Those of us old enough to remember the sinking of the Andrea Doria will match our long ago memories with fresh, new information which brings the story back as if it happened yesterday. Those of us who didn't know about this ship will find a facinating account focused on those aboard the ship. The technical details are sufficent; the confusion during the 'desperate hours' are brought alive; the people become very real. I recommend Goldstein's book to history buffs, ship buffs, and anyone who enjoys a good story, told very well.
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5.0 out of 5 starsFocus On The Human Side Of Nautical Disaster
By Robert I. Hedges HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWER on June 7, 2006
Format: Hardcover Verified Purchase
There are several excellent books on the sinking of the "Andrea Doria," and I have read most if not all of them. I like this book because of the slightly different focus the author puts on the story. Most books focus on the technicalities of the disaster, and leave the human element of the drama in a distant second place. Goldstein does the opposite: he describes the technicalities somewhat less than many other authors but makes the human drama more compelling than any other book I have read on the subject.

While my favorite book on the tragedy is still Moscow's classic "Collision Course" (I also like "Out of the Fog" for first hand information, although it is somewhat biased,) Richard Goldstein has done an excellent job writing an eminently readable book with numerous and diverse viewpoints. He is very good at resolving perceived discrepancies (as well as can be done this long after the tragedy) and goes to great lengths not to needlessly vilify anyone involved, rather he points out errors committed as human failings to be learned from.

For anyone interested in the "Andrea Doria," the "Stockholm," or maritime safety in general, this is a great book written in a compelling, concise, and readable style. I highly recommend "Desperate Hours."
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4.0 out of 5 starsA Real Page-Turner!
By L. Desrochers on October 22, 2001
Format: Hardcover
I sat down with a coffee to flip through this; a few hours later, I had finished it, without a pause. The accident is viewed from the perspective of crew and passengers, from first-class to tourist class. "Desperate Hours" lacks the tedious scientific detail that bogged down "A Perfect Storm," yet adds enough (through diagrams and photographs) to give a chilling portrait of an experienced crew sailing a seaworthy vessel -- and sinking to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean only hours from land. A great read.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA touching account
By Pierette D. simpson on November 6, 2006
Format: Hardcover
Desperate Hours-A touching account

I really enjoyed reading the human accounts of this book. Mr. Goldstein delves into the uplifting and the demoralizing experiences of survivors. Being one of them, I relate to much of what he describes. I only wish that the author would have interviewed more survivors; in fact, different ones from those in Collision Course by Alvin Moscow. Most of the scientific evidence is also a repeat of Collision Course.

As a survivor of the tragedy, I have read most books on the Andrea Doria. None has satisfied my curiosity about what really happened to cause the collision. So for 2 ½ years, I went on my own quest for the truth. I researched evidence dispersed on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The result is an irrefutable, scientific explanation of the tragic event which had a miraculous outcome: the greatest sea rescue!

Pierette Domenica Simpson
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5.0 out of 5 starsDesperate Hours
By A Customer on October 15, 2001
Format: Hardcover
The sea rescue of the Andrea Doria comes alive in Desperate Hours. It's no wonder the Andrea Doria is the one of the most talked about ships in history. Nearly 1,700 people were saved while the gorgeous vessel sank. The author, Richard Goldstein, has done his research. The book is filled with dozens of survivor interviews, memoirs, and court documents, drawing you into this rescue. If you are a history buff or just looking for an enticing read, don't miss this book
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 starsFour Stars

Good story. Crisp writing.

Published 10 months ago by Wendy Steinhoff
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very engrossing story of the incredible rescue of passengers from the Andrea Doria.

Published 14 months ago by Frank
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

great book.

Published 16 months ago by CHRIS THORSTAD
5.0 out of 5 starsgreat reading! my dad was the chief of the ...

great reading! my dad was the chief of the hornbeam, the ship the rescued the captain of the andrea doria! i will cherish this book forever!

Published 16 months ago by Patrucia souza
4.0 out of 5 starsWorth a read.

Having studied the subject I didn't find much new but well written and worth a read.

Published 20 months ago by Herb
5.0 out of 5 starsInteresting and challenging reads

I have been interested in this subject since I first met a survivor of the sinking of the Andrea Doria. Read more

Published on December 6, 2013 by John A. Paar
5.0 out of 5 starsMy thoughts on Desperate Hours

I had to have this book for a college research paper I was working on. The author made me feel like I was on the Andrea Doria and the Stockholm. Read more

Published on January 2, 2013 by Mary Youngblood
5.0 out of 5 stars"Take the Doria. You'll never forget it."

Late in the evening of July 25, 1956, a Scandinavia-bound passenger ship, the STOCKHOLM, collided with the New York-bound Italian luxury liner, the ANDREA DORIA. Read more

Published on April 28, 2012 by Allen Smalling
5.0 out of 5 starsSpellbinding!

I really enjoyed this book. It is a very odd story, two modern ships with all the bells and whistles (except ship to ship radio),
who see each other miles away (on radar),... Read more

Published on December 31, 2011 by Vivian Lee
5.0 out of 5 stars10-stars all around!

I've always been highly interested in what conspired after a collision between two ocean liners just off the approaches to New York Harbor back in July, 1956. Read more

Published on October 19, 2010 by Tyler

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