Everyone who has heard about the tragedy of the Titanic, or watched the film, probably remembers that the band kept on playing even as the ship sank into the ocean. They gave their lives so that people would remain calm and get on the boats in an orderly fashion. Nearly everyone who survived remembered the band, and we know that none of them survived, so the story certainly seems plausible. In this book, Turner looks at the men in the band – W. Hartley, C. Krins, R. Bricoux, W.T. Brailey, J. Woodward, J.F. Clarke, J.L. Hume, and P.C. Taylor – and considers both their lives before the disaster and the role they may have played in the final moments of the ship’s sinking.
I’ve never heard anything much about the musicians on the Titanic beyond the fact that they died playing. Like everyone else of my age, I’ve seen the film (twice in theaters) and their story is certainly a sad and noble one. Turner takes us behind the scenes with this book and looks at how exactly each man got on the Titanic. Who was waiting for them when they returned from the ship? How did each man become a musician? Were they career musicians or were they just building experience for greater things? These are all questions he seeks to answer.
He also considers the day of the sinking itself, thinking about what songs the men played, how two bands fit together into one for the final moments, and why they might have chosen to play. They could have been ordered to by the bandmaster, or they might have decided to carry on as one, knowing that they were unlikely to have a priority place on the available lifeboats anyway.
Lastly, Turner also looks at the aftermath of the disaster, and how these particular men’s deaths affected their families. The White Star Line, who owned the ship, did have to pay money out to the employees’ families, but who it went to was a matter up for debate in many of the men’s families.
Overall, The Band that Played On was a worthy, deeper look at these eight men, and a very good choice of read for people who are interested in further information about the Titanic and the people who actually ran the boat.
All book links to external sites are affiliate links. I received this book for free for review.
Wow, I haven’t read a Titanic story in a long time. I know that this one is supposed to be very good. Glad you enjoyed it!
Pam (@iwriteinbooks)´s last post …BTT: People Are Strange
Next year is the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, so I suspect Titanic books are going to be HUGE. It sounds like this one has a unique perspective.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last post …Review and giveaway: Holy Ghost Girl
The portion of the movie Titanic with the musicians playing as the boat continues to sink has always stuck with me. I am definitely interested in this one.
Stephanie´s last post …Book Review: Curtains: Adventures of an Undertaker-in-Training
Wow. That sounds really fascinating. I am really interested in that one. I’ll certainly sample it.
JR Tomlin´s last post …Review of Isabeau by N. Gemini Sasson
I haven’t read a book about the Titanic in a long time either. May be something to add to the list.
Amy´s last post …Today’s Book – Graphic Novels
I read this book last March. The topic was very interesting and quite unique, but I thought the writing was not good at all, s I explain in my review, it read more like a draft: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2011/03/10/the-band-that-played-on/
Emma @ Words And Peace
Emma @ Words And Peace´s last post …I love France #8: #72 review: Du côté de chez Swann
Sounds really interesting. I was completely obsessed with the history of Titanic when I was younger and the film was just the icing on the cake. May be a good time to re-ignite my interest.
Jessicabookworm´s last post …September Reflection
This is an interesting research project! I love the idea of this book and writing about the lives of people who were heroic but not famous, rich, or powerful.
I really want to read this, but I haven’t got around to it. I should see if the library has it.
Kailana´s last post …The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
Really neat approach to the book as, like others, I’ve always been interested in these musicians and their bravery. It’s certainly an argument for art and music and what it does for us as a people.
Great review. Need to look this one up.
This one sounds excellent, and it’s on a subject that I had not really ever considered before. Great review! I am thinking I might need to read this one!
zibilee´s last post …Fathermucker by Greg Olear — 320 pgs
This sounds so interesting! I love books that explore little pockets of history like this.
Nymeth´s last post …Happy Ada Lovelace Day!
Interesting. I’ve seen the movie too many times to admit publicly, and the musicians always struck me as the shining stars of that entire night. Based on that and your review, I may just have to put this on my wish list after all. Thanks for the heads up!
Michelle´s last post …REVIEW – Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I’ve been fascinated with the Titanic every since reading a kids’ book about the Unsinkable Molly Brown in 5th or 6th grade. When they found the Titanic it was absolutely amazing to me and I was glued to every documentary and studied the photos.
Despite that, I never really thought about the musicians. I’m going to have to check this book out.
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Just thinking about the band can bring tears to my eyes.
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