Lieutenant-Commander John Blake, FRIN, spent twelve years in the Royal Navy. He has worked extensively with the UK Hydrographic Office, the producers of Admiralty Charts, and is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation. John is the author of the acclaimed Conway publications The Sea Chart (2003) and Sea Charts of the British Isles (2005). His research interests span the maritime world, from nautical charts and surveying to merchant shipping.

• Preface by John BlakePart One: INTRODUCTION~ Olympic & Titanic (White Star Line Publicity Brochure, May 1911) ~ The White Star Line~ The Builders of the Olympic & Titanic (‘The Shipbuilder’, Midsummer 1911)Part Two: DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND LAUNCH~ Factors of Design~ Building of the Hulls~ Completion (‘The Shipbuilder’, Midsummer 1911)Part Three: INFORMATION FOR PASSENGERS~ The Arrangement of the Decks ~ Passenger Accommodation~ Disposition of Rooms, &c.~ The Decorations~ Second Class Accommodation~ Third Class Accommodation~ General ship’s fittings and furnishings (White Star Line Publicity Brochure, May 1911)~ ‘General Information for Passengers in the First Class’, 1911~ ‘First Class Passenger List’, 1912 ~ ‘General Information for Passengers in the Second Class’, 1911 ~ ‘Second Class Rates’, 1912~ ‘Third Class Rates, 1912’~ ‘Specimen Third Class Bill of Fare’, 1912Part Four: OPERATION, SAFETY & NAVIGATION~ Ship’s Officers & Complement ~ ‘North Atlantic Lane Routes’, 1899~ Working Arrangements of the Ships (‘The Shipbuilder’, Midsummer 1911)

The Titanic Pocketbook: A Passenger’s Guide is a slim little book chock full of information about the great ship. Written as though it were in fact an informational book for someone considering sailing on board the Titanic ... it is an interesting slant on the ship and one this buff enjoyed.