Home » Titanic Store » Titanic Books » Biography » Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Called ‘The Coward of Titanic’

Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Called ‘The Coward of Titanic’

Name: Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Called 'The Coward of Titanic'
SKU: 2826
Price: 12.20 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 0 (0 reviews)

(0 customer reviews)

£12.20

Coward. Brute. Yellow-livered.

For over 100 years, J. Bruce Ismay has been the scapegoat of the Titanic disaster. He is the villain of every film and TV drama: a fit and able-bodied man who sacrificed the lives of women and children in order to survive. Some even claim that it was his fault the Titanic sank, that he encouraged the captain to sail faster.

But is this the true story?

In Understanding J. Bruce Ismay, Clifford Ismay opens up the family archives to uncover the story of a quiet man savaged by over a century of tabloid press. This is a must-read for any enthusiast who wishes to form their own opinion of the Titanic’s most infamous survivor.

Buy now

Categories: Biography, Titanic Books Tag: J. Bruce Ismay

Description

Review

Cliff Ismay has done a terrific job of telling Joseph Bruce Ismay’s life story, and has thoroughly outlined the chairman’s relationship with the White Star Line as well as his controversial survival of the Titanic disaster. In short, this is the Ismay biography we’ve all been waiting for.

— George Behe

Being the Great Granddaughter of Margaret (The Unsinkable Molly) Brown, I am no stranger to the many misconceptions that have been circulated about my ancestor. Cliff Ismay is also familiar with this regarding his famous ancestor, J. Bruce Ismay.

This book is sure to educate and surprise you. Cliff will show you the Bruce Ismay to whom you have never been introduced. So, I encourage you to enjoy this very insightful look into the life of a man you only thought you knew.

— Helen Benziger

The name J. Bruce Ismay summons strong feelings from many who have studied the Titanic story. Many see him as a villain while others see his efforts loading the lifeboats as a reason to view him differently. In Understanding J. Bruce Ismay, we are taken on a journey into Ismay’s life, giving insight to the man who became infamous during the early morning of April 15, 1912. Enjoy this different perspective of J. Bruce Ismay’s life.

— Bill Willard

About the Author

Clifford Ismay is currently engaged as director of Maryport Maritime Museum. Until the death of its founder he was privileged to have been Governor and Northern England representative for the Titanic Heritage Trust, and is a member of the British Titanic Society. He has appeared in many Titanic documentaries and been interviewed for television and radio news, and given a number of talks on the subject. He lives in Cumbria.

Additional information

Author	Clifford Ismay, Tad Fitch
Publisher ‏	The History Press
Language ‏	English
Paperback ‏	256 pages
Publication date ‏	2022
ISBN-10 ‏	0750998660
ISBN-13 ‏	978-0750998666

Reviews

There are no reviews yet.

Be the first to review “Understanding J. Bruce Ismay: The True Story of the Man They Called ‘The Coward of Titanic’” Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a review.

6 replies

More comments →

Loading new replies...

Encyclopedia Titanica

Philip Hind

6,986 messages 611 likes

Pinned Jan 06, 2024

Coward. Brute. Yellow-livered.

But is this the true story?

Find out more...

Reply 5 Likes

Clifford Ismay

Active Member

41 messages 22 likes

#1 Mar 24, 2024

I'm forever grateful to Tad Fitch for writing the foreword, and to George Behe for his assistance. Also to Helen Bezinger and Bill Willard for their reviews.

Reply 3 Likes

Steven Christian

Senior Member

3,524 messages 2,309 likes

#2 Mar 24, 2024

I am looking forward to reading this book. Years ago I came to the conclusion after researching him more that he got a raw deal from his portrayal by the press and other forms of media. Sadly it's even worse today. Fortunantly people are starting to wake up about how dishonest the press is. To me the biggest villain of the Titanic saga was William R. Hearst. Of course that's just my opinion. Anyway thanks for writing this book.

Reply 4 Likes

IanMcD

Active Member

66 messages 19 likes

#3 Mar 24, 2024

Coward. Brute. Yellow-livered.

For over 100 years, J. Bruce Ismay has been the scapegoat of the Titanic disaster. He is the villain of every film and TV drama: a fit and able-bodied man who sacrificed the lives of women and children in order to survive. Some even claim that it was his fault the Titanic sank, that he encouraged the captain to sail faster.

But is this the true story?

In Understanding J. Bruce Ismay, Clifford Ismay opens up the family archives to uncover the story of a quiet man savaged by over a century of tabloid press. This is a must-read for any enthusiast who wishes to form their own opinion of the <span class="a-text-italic">Titanic</span>’s most infamous survivor.

Find out more...

I would like to check this book out. I do believe Ismay has been unfairly maligned.

Reply 1 Like

Clifford Ismay

Active Member

41 messages 22 likes

#4 Mar 30, 2024

To me the biggest villain of the Titanic saga was William R. Hearst. Of course that's just my opinion.

The earlier friendship between Ismay and Hearst did not end well. Perhaps it was not by coincidence that it was Hearst's newspapers that launched a bitter campaign against Ismay, immediately following the Titanic disaster.

Reply 1 Like

Clifford Ismay

Active Member

41 messages 22 likes

#5 Mar 30, 2024

I would like to check this book out. I do believe Ismay has been unfairly maligned.

I'm sure you will find that my book will answer many questions you may have.

Reply Like

Steven Christian

Senior Member

3,524 messages 2,309 likes

#6 Mar 30, 2024

The earlier friendship between Ismay and Hearst did not end well. Perhaps it was not by coincidence that it was Hearst's newspapers that launched a bitter campaign against Ismay, immediately following the Titanic disaster.

Yes. Hearst was a vindictive man that couldn't let things go and move. But what I found researching him about the Ismay matter it wasn't just Ismay. He treated a lot of people bad and had many questionable business dealings. An all around jerk for lack of a better term.

Reply 1 Like

Open thread →