Titanic

TITANIC is Steve Orlandella's masterpiece. His love affair with those in peril on the sea that fateful night started when he was a young boy. He saw every film made, read most books on the subject, and spent couple of years writing this book, obsessed with "The Convergence of the Twain." He wanted TITANIC to be accurate, spending huge chunks of time doing research. His approach is unique. He covers people and events before, during, and after April 1912. His personality intertwined throughout. Steve writes, "My name is Steve Orlandella, and I am an unrepentant shipaholic. The first step is admitting that one cannot control one's addiction. I have, on numerous occasions, visited the SS United States to pay my respects and have my heart broken at the sight of her slow decay while moored alongside Pier 82 in Philadelphia's Delaware River. I have also made many a pilgrimage to the RMS Queen Mary. In her time, she was the Queen of the Seas as well known as any ship afloat. Now, she is spending her golden years still holding court in the warmth and sunshine of Long Beach, California. She held the Blue Ribband throughout the War years and for seven more when she returned to peacetime service. Then in 1952, surrendered it to the current and certainly the last holder of the prize, the SS United States.During one of those visits to Long Beach, I walked past a father and son standing on the quayside, studying her intently. The father said, "This is a famous ship." The little boy took a beat, and then asked, "The most famous?" I was out of range when the father replied, but it didn't matter, I knew the answer. The answer is, of course, no. In spite of over one thousand Atlantic crossings, speed titles, and a sterling war record, the Mary, and for that matter, the Mauretania, the Olympic, the Normandie and even the United States, will forever play second fiddle to a liner that didn't complete even a single voyage. She was, is, and forever will be, The Royal Mail Steamship Titanic. Steve Orlandella's "TITANIC" is a compelling read.