First thoughts

And The Band Played On, Christopher Ward, Hodder and Stoughton, £20. eBook (not available).

CHRISTOPHER WARD’S book about his grandfather, who died at 21 years of age when the Titanic sank in 1912 with the loss of 1,513 lives, has produced a fascinating tale.

The luxurious ship — then the biggest in the world — hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York. It had been considered virtually unsinkable and did not carry enough lifeboats for all on board.