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Understanding J Bruce Ismay
The True Story Of The Man They Called
'The Coward Of Titanic'

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Following the Titanic disaster, Bruce Ismay was savaged by both the British and American press for deserting the ship while women and children were still on board. Some papers called him the 'Coward of the Titanic' or 'J. Brute Ismay', while suggested the White Star flag be changed to a 'yellow liver'. History has portrayed Bruce Ismay as a cold, heartless character who showed little compassion for others. Clifford Ismay's new book explores the life and motives of this misunderstood man, delving into family letters and diaries, and revisiting the public enquiries, to reveal a shy, compassionate man, who walked Titanic's boat deck for almost two hours, assisting with preparing and loading the lifeboats before finding a spare seat in the last lifeboat to be successfully lowered from the starboard side, and who possibly suffered with post-traumatic stress in the years immediately following the sinking of RMS Titanic.

About the author

 

Clifford Ismay is 5th cousin (once removed) to Bruce Ismay. He was privileged to have been a Governor and the Northern England representative for the Titanic Heritage Trust until the death of its founder Howard Nelson. He is a member of both the British Titanic Society and Titanic International Society. He has taken part in Titanic documentaries and been interviewed for television and radio news. He has given a number of talks on the Ismay family as well as RMS Titanic. Clifford lives in Cumbria, England where he is currently engaged as director of Maryport Maritime Museum.

By using family achieves which have not been previously published, Clifford Ismay tells of the life of Bruce Ismay, President of the International Mercantile Marine, Chairman of the White Star Line and infamous Titanic survivor. The pages of his new book show how Bruce walked Titanic's boat deck for almost two hours, assisting in preparing and loading many women and children into the lifeboats before taking a seat in Collapsible C, the last lifeboat to be successfully lowered form Titanic's starboard side.

TESTIMONIALS

"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."

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George Behe

Titanic Historian, Author of

On of Board RMS Titanic

"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

Great granddaughter of

of Margaret (The Unsinkable Molly) Brown

"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

Titanic Historian & Instructor at the University of North Carolina

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COLLECTOR'S SET

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This elegant collection comes with a bookplate which is signed by the author, and has a unique limited edition number. The bookplate is adhesive and can be fixed to a page of your choice. A numbered certificate of authenticity is also included, and carries the author's official stamp.

Signed collector's sets are only available direct from the author. Order yours now for only £24.99 + postage.

Payment accepted is through PayPal or contact the author at author.ismay@gmail.com

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WE DELIVER
WORLDWIDE

Standard copies are available at most good High Street bookshops, or from your favorite online retailer, including Amazon The History Press and Barnes & Noble. 

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Product details

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ISBN13: 9780750998666

Author: Clifford Ismay

Publisher: The History Press

Publication date: 01 Apr 2022

Paperback

Pages: 256

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