New Lusitania book by Diane Preston

T

Tarn Stephanos

Member
There is a new book out on the Lusitania by Diane Preston. Has anyone read this book? Would you give it four funnels up? A very large book- seems twice as thick as the Simpson book..

regards

Tarn Stephanos
 
Hello again Tarn,

I have the book, it's alright, but doesn't live up to the publicity blurb about being "the definitive work on the subject", the errors are frustrating, such as not properly checking people's names, reminds me of my old school report "could do better!"

Geoff
 
What are the photo sections like? I read in this Lusitania section that there are photos taken aboard during the final voyage.
Radio officer Leith is mention snapping off a photo during the sinking (Hickey&Smith81). Did any of his survive?
How much of the book is taken up by geopolitics and how much about the ship?
Any good in depths reviews would help my decison making.

thanks

Martin
 
There are photos scattered through out the book. These include the sketches of the sinking by Oliver Bernard and some nice pictures of Oliver Bernard, Theodate Pope, and Lady Allan. There is a whole 90 or so pages in the beginning on the building of the Lusitania and World War One. Her website on the book, www.lusitaniabook.co m, also is very interesting.
 
Diana Preston gave an impressive interview on Booknotes on C Span this evening at 8p.m.- This is usually rebroadcast later tonight and is well worth watching. This book is her fourth- the other three concerning the Boxer Rebellion, Prince Charles and the Jacobites and the race to the South Pole. Currently she is working on a book about pirate Jacques Dappier. She is extremely articulate, facts at instant command, and boasts an impressive background in modern history from St. Hilda's Oxford. She mentioned in the interview that film negotiations are ongoing for the rights to her book. She revealed that there is a museum in Farmington Connecticut dedicated to Theodate Pope-something I may have to drive over this week to investigate. She seems most compelling when discussing the personal stories of passengers, but also was well-versed in all areas of the controversies surrounding the ship and sinking. Had not planned to get this volume but after seeing the interview -it's on the list.
 
Martin- she gave no details- but SMILED broadly when the subject came up- there are several studios apparently interested. Of course she prudently refrained at this stage to name names. Exciting prospect if Hollywood would really do justice to the true story.
 
Frankly Shelley, a Hollywood "blockbuster" is just too horrific to contemplate. I would hate to see the Lusitania story take the route that Titanic's has.
Lusitania was an essentially British ship - no matter what backing Cunard had from the USA - with less than 200 American citizens out of her complement of around 2000. Hollywood should leave well alone, it's the equivalent of our own Elstree Studios making a film about Pearl Harbor!

A very disgruntled

Geoff.
 
Geoff,

Films really are much more international today, so a Hollywood Lusitania film might not be too bad. Casting would be my biggest fear...please no hollywood types...I didn't mind the storyline in Titanic....but Leo looked 12 and Kate looked older than 16.

In days past each studio had their own flavor and the films reflected this. English films also had their own special magic. I can't get enough of the Hammer films...they have a unique quality...that I really love.

Cheers,

Robert
 
Geoff- I agree entirely- actually I generalized back there- she never said specifically Hollywood studios alone were in the running. I hope, if it does get done at all- and I have a feeling it will- a British studio will make the film. The director will certainly set the tone-and I can think of a few good ones on your side of the pond who could do the job right. I imagine she will want to be at least a historical consultant on the screenplay. I had been prepared to form a lukewarm opinion of this lady -but I must confess to being very impressed after viewing that lengthy interview- at her command of the subject and sensitivity to the human element which is such a compelling and integral part of the tragedy. The fact that she has not raced to sign a contract with the most lucrative offer gives me hope that she is indeed foremost a historian and monetary greed is not the first consideration. Am sure we shall all watch what develops on this one with enormous interest and some degree of trepidation.
 
Shelley & Robert,

Thanks for your input. I don't think that any British film studio would have the rescourses to contemplate such a mammoth task. Quite honestly I can't forsee that much interest in a film about the Lusitania. For years I have tried to introduce a Lusitania theme into the BTS Conventions and magazine - without success.

My gripe with Ms. Preston relates to the blurb surrounding the book. It's impossible to open a newspaper or magazine without her appearing to promote her work. Granted, it is a well written book yet I'm infuriated by her continual blunders, mostly concerning names which she simply hasn't checked on. Good job she didn't assist with the Cameron film to give us:

Colonel Aster
Ben Guggleheim
The Duff Gherkins
Not to forget The Countess of Ropes!

Ah well, back to "The Empress" at least nobody whatsoever gives a fig about her!!

Geoff
 
ROTFLMAO!!!! Countess of Ropes! That's a good one. Was she related to Jack Ketch?
wink.gif


Hang around for further developments!

Cordially,
Michael H. Standart
 
I love the humour here but seriously about the film idea I am leery of Hollywood but as Robert say film is becoming more international. A good example is Lord of the Rings to promote my own neck of the woods er Middle Earth I mean
happy.gif
.

For sometime I have been scripting out parts of the LUSITANIA story after reading the illustrated script for TITANIC. I know it is easy to find fault with anything but how about finding what is new or is good . Then we get a more rounded idea of what a film or book is like.

kind regards

Martin
 
If a Lusitania film is made, and I would like to see one done, I hope it stays focused on the history of the tragedy instead of the story of ficticous characters. We already got that in "Titanic" and "Pearl Harbor."

While I don't see a Hollywood blockbuster busting any blocks, I think a made-for-television docu-drama could be a great success if done correctly.


Cheers,
happy.gif


-B.W.
 

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