The sinking of the Titanic is a well-known story; the criminal negligence of Captain Lord of the Californian, not so much.
A few reviewers have criticized the inclusion of testimony from key figures such as Lord as being “dry” when in reality, this damning testimony is the crux of the book. At the very least, it provides a disturbing but plausible explanation for Lord’s indifference to the tragedy unfolding in plain view of the Californian.
Arthur Rostron, the 42-year old captain of the Carpathia, made all the right moves as he raced through the ice fields of the North Atlantic to reach the foundering ship Titanic. Indeed, of the three men who captained the ships forever linked in this entirely preventable disaster, Rostron is the solitary hero.