This book looks at the people behind the scenes who tried to save the Titanic and her passengers. An exploration of the methods of communication available and how they all rushed to stop the unthinkable.

An interesting exploration of a great tragedy

I thoroughly enjoyed this fresh look at the sinking of the Titanic. The historical information was well researched and presented in a way that made me want to keep reading. A great read for those interested in the Titanic.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Books on the Titanic are always fascinating. The human drama makes for compelling reading and this book is no exception. While it does not necessarily break new ground, it does take a slightly different focus than many of the others. It attacks the myths that were written at the time to salve the prevailing sentiments of those in power- WASP men. Many of the stories lauded the courage and resolve that was expected at that time. And it finds it lacking in many regards.

It is no surprised that the percentage of first and second class passengers who survived was far greater than the third class. We know the English class system was alive and well. Many stories have been told about the snobbish disregard many of those who survived had for the poor souls who were struggling to stay alive. Human nature and the desire for self preservation, sadly, was rife at a time when sacrifice and courage were needed. Those stories, often told, are moving.

Where the book is set apart is in looking at the event, almost minute by minute from several points of view. It, of course, focuses on those aboard the doomed ship. It also looks at the two men who frantically tried to catch the attention of other ships at sea to come to the Titanic’s rescue. In spite of two ships being close enough to have been able to prevent much of the loss of life, neither of them budged. It goes into the two captains and their crews and looks at the what and why of their fateful decisions.

And then it looks at the captain of the Carpathian, who set off, achieving speeds never before accomplished by the ship before, to get to the survivors. Too late, alas, for many, she took on 705 people. The rest perished in the icy Atlantic. It becomes a tale of courage, pluck and determination on the one side and cowardice and disdain on the other. The only good upshot was the one who could have helped most and failed to do so never lived it down.

While I know the story and the outcome, I still found myself turning the page to find out what happened next. It was that perfect combination of dry facts and the human element. Five purrs and two paws up.

This was a really good account of what happened on the night Titanic sank. Job very well done by the author. Would definitely recommend this book.

One Hundred and Sixty Minutes: The Race to Save the RMS Titanic by William Hazelgrove is a nonfiction book about the sinking of the Titanic. Tells the story through the network of wireless operators. It counts down to the sinking by looking at who got the information and where the ships were when they got the information about the sinking. Focuses on what the different wireless operators, ship captains, and others attempted in the race to save the people if not the ship herself. Also focuses on what mistakes were made and who is a fault for those mistakes which does make it feel a little biased against specific people.

I have read nearly every book that has been published about the Titanic, and I’ve studied it for years. I thought I knew it all, but William Hazelgrove proved me wrong.

From the moment you open the book, until the end, you will read the heartbreaking and harrowing account of what happened on that fateful night: April 14, 1912.

“Everyone could have been rescued if human will had not failed”. You will learn what the author means by this as you read. It is devastating. What you’ve been taught is wrong.

You’ll read transcripts of the SOS calls made by the ship, mythology of the ship and its passengers, as well as what occurred that night. Without giving away too many spoilers, I will again leave you with the author’s quote:

“Everyone could have been rescued if it were not for human failing”.




Big thanks to William Hazelgrove, Prometheus, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

Publication date: 09/01/2021

Normally, I wait a few days after finishing a book before I review it, but I literally just finished reading One Hundred and Sixty Minutes: The Race to Save the RMS Titanic by William Hazelgrove. I absolutely loved this book! If you think you know the history of the Titanic, think again and read this book. Hazelgrove morphs a seemingly well known story into a riveting tale in this stunning book!

Clearly, the book is about the Titanic, but it’s so much more than your run-of-the-mill Titanic story. The author adds a new depth to the story by dispelling the idea that it was tragically unpreventable, and that people accepted their fates with honor and grace. He paints a vivid picture of the true heroes of the story: the two wireless officers on board, Jack Phillips & Harold Bride, along with the Captain of the Carpathia, Arthur Rostrun.

Frequently, I have mixed feelings about many nonfiction books because the actual story is interesting, but the stories are not always conveyed in a captivating way. However, I was enthralled with this book throughout its entirety. Honestly, there are not many nonfiction books that I would consider “page-turners” or that I literally couldn’t put down, but I finished this book in under 48 hours.

Truthfully, when I requested this book on NetGalley, I was interested because the lore around the Titanic is fascinating to me, but I had never read a book about it before. I kind of thought, “If you’ve read one book about the Titanic, you’ve read them all,” but it is abundantly clear that Hazelgrove’s book is original and unique.

He refrains from depicting the story through rose colored lenses. He points to multiple mistakes that could have been avoided, which could have saved all the lives that were lost, or circumnavigated the disaster entirely. While he admits that this event shows a failure of human compassion, the fact that he highlights the unsung heroes of the tragedy, left me with a sense of hope and inspiration.

Whether you’re particularly interested in the Titanic or not, this is a book everyone should read! It’s quite possibly one of the best nonfiction books I’ve ever read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.