Discovery of the Titanic (1987) by Robert D. Ballard is the gripping first-hand account of the historic 1985 expedition that located the wreck of the RMS Titanic, resting 12,500 feet beneath the North Atlantic. This richly illustrated volume blends deep-sea exploration with poignant human drama, as Ballard—then a Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution scientist—details how his team used the cutting-edge Argo camera system (originally developed for Cold War submarine reconnaissance) to capture the first haunting images of the legendary liner. The book reveals the wreck’s condition through never-before-seen photographs of the ship’s bow, scattered debris field, and eerie artifacts like shoes and china, while Ballard reflects on the tragedy’s emotional weight and his controversial decision to leave the site undisturbed as a maritime memorial.
The 1987 first edition (published by Madison Press) stands out for its fold-out wreck map and Ballard’s narrative of the 73-day search, including the tense moment when Argo’s cameras glimpsed a Titanic boiler amid the darkness. Later editions expanded with new discoveries, but this original remains a touchstone for Titanic enthusiasts and oceanography buffs alike.
For related reads, consider The Lost Ships of Guadalcanal (1993), Ballard’s follow-up on WWII wrecks, or A Night to Remember (1955) by Walter Lord for the sinking’s definitive account.
