God's Ark: Subscription Book Publishing and the Titanic

This research explores how the Titanic disaster contributed to early 20th-century popular culture, notably through the rise of “instant books”—publications released immediately after major events. These books, largely sold by subscription (door-to-door or through advance orders), were crucial in shaping public perceptions of the Titanic tragedy. The popularity of such books highlighted a broader trend of disaster literature in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where both historical accuracy and sensationalism played roles. Additionally, religious and moral interpretations often featured, reinforcing the notion of Titanic as a moral or divine allegory.