Product Description

Almost twenty years after making the world's most famous underwater discovery, Robert Ballard returns to Titanic with hi-tech cameras and robots to provide the clearest, most dramatic images ever seen. Ballard documents what has become of the world's best-known ship, torn apart by salvagers over the last 2 decades, and pronounces a new and vital conservation ethos - that future such wrecks must be preserved as historical monuments. This compelling, illustrated book is a journey back in time to the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912; a hard look at the present salvaging and natural deterioration of the wreck; and a blueprint for future conservation of this icon. Says Ballard, "every possible book has been written on the Titanic, and Titanic addicts have them all. They will not have this." RETURN TO TITANIC brings new dimension, visually and factually. First, the incomparable hi-tech cameras Ballard created to document wrecks on the Mediterranean seafloor in summer 2003 will be used to reveal the changes in Titanic since the first images were made by National Geographic in 1985. Second, he will analyze the salvaging of the wreck by private groups, as well as the natural deterioration since 1985; finally he will establish the global conservation ethos that this and other wrecks be revered as "pyramids of the deep," rather than ransacked. TITANIC has 5 chapters in 192 pages, with 125 images, diagrams, and maps. Images will include period pictures and drawings from the early 1900s, pictures of the 1985 discovery of the wreck, and modern images, culminating in the hi-tech images of the June 2004 expedition. Sweeney's deft hand combines with Ballard's own intriguing story of discovery, his masterminding of robots and hi-definition cameras to document the wreck, and his commitment to conservation in the 21st century. The human element plays a big part in RETURN TO TITANIC, as Ballard and Sweeney clarify that technology and conservation are but means to preserving the spirits of the humans lost in the tragedy. Sidebars throughout, identify the artifacts of survivors, such as letters, watches, clothing, and tell their stories.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #116113 in Books
• Published on: 2005-02-18
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 192 pages

Customer Reviews

A worthwhile addition to the Titanic story
Like many people, I first became interested in the work of Dr Robert Ballard when he found international recognition as part of the joint US-French expedition to locate the wreck of the Titanic in September 1985. Since this discovery, the once great ship has been visited by numerous expeditions which have served to systematically remove many of the artifacts from the site. It is this argument - whether we should salvage these artifacts now before they are lost to the sea forever or leave the site untouched as a memorial to the 1500+ people who died in April 1912 - that forms one of the central themes of this book.

Having provided an extensive photographic record of the ship in 1986, Dr Ballard’s return to the wreck site 18 years later provides him with a valuable opportunity to re-assess the current condition of the once great liner and provide a new insight into the deterioration - both natural and man-made - that has occurred in the intervening years. By looking at the past-present-future of the Titanic story and placing this in it’s proper historical and scientific context, this book takes into account many aspects that still interest people today. Subsequently, this book succeeds in providing an excellent foundation for people who are either captivated by Titanic or for those who possess an interest in underwater exploration in general. Moreover, it surpasses other works on the subject by the use of breathtaking images taken with a clarity that bears tribute to the technological advances that have occurred since it’s discovery, providing unmistakable evidence that the numerous visits by expeditions since 1986 have failed to treat the site with proper respect. Indeed, by the end of this book, the argument that the future of Titanic and other wrecks in open water should lie within international agreements, is extremely persuasive.

The fact that this book provides you with all the aspects of the Titanic story, from the disaster through to the discovery, from the technology through to the controversy, makes this a perfect accompaniment to Dr Ballard’s original book on the subject (The Discovery of the Titanic : Madison Press : 1987). Indeed, I would say that if you enjoyed the other books written by Dr Ballard that are of the same genre, (such as his expeditions to the Bismarck, Lusitania, Guadalcanal, & Midway), you will undoubtedly enjoy this book as it not only provides as an excellent addition to this collection, but also a gives a fitting update to the Titanic story as a whole.

Return to Titanic
The original discoverer of the wreck returns for one last time to see what effect the last 18 years of deterioration and countless dives (and silly salvage attempts) have had on the ship. As with all NGS publications, it is an excellently presented book,a lavishly illustrated record and very informative. Whatever you think of the whys and wherefores of the controversies surrounding saving the ship, Bob Ballard is the man who discovered the ship and as such, makes a strong case that we should now show some respect to the memory of the 1500 who died and now we have seen all that we are realistically going to see, we should leave the wreck to decay in peace.

Anyone who has an interest in Titanic or marine archaeology should get this book

Irish reader from Limerick,
Excellent book with new up to date photographs of the wreck, wonderful read for all fans of the story of titanic.