Famous Shipwrecks

After an opening spread that includes a simple map and information about the ocean, each book briefly describes four or five historical shipwrecks in chronological order. Readers learn why each ship was traveling, why it sunk, and in most cases, the number of survivors and fatalities. Survivor/fatality data is not included for the Maldive Victory in Indian Ocean Shipwrecks, the USS Monitor in Atlantic Ocean Shipwrecks, and the Ironton in Great Lakes Shipwrecks. Information about how and when the wrecks were discovered is also featured. A map in the back matter identifies shipwreck locations within the larger region. Most ship histories are described in a couple paragraphs on a single spread, but two spreads are used for more compelling examples, such as Ernest Shackleton’s Endurance in Southern Ocean Shipwrecks and the Titanic in Atlantic Ocean Shipwrecks. Closing chapters look at current conditions for ships, often mentioning technological tools like GPS and Remotely Operated Vehicles. Historical and modern photographs, along with occasional diagrams provide useful visual support. VERDICT Well-rounded and appealing shipwreck profiles presented at an introductory level.