The Six

Steven Schwankert thought there were no new Titanic stories to be told – then he found the Six.

When Titanic sank on a cold night in 1912, less than half of those aboard survived. Among these survivors were six Chinese men. Unlike their Western counterparts, upon reaching solid ground in New York these men were almost immediately expelled from the country and, to some extent, the history books.

Now at last their stories can be told.

The result of meticulous research, dogged investigation and personal interviews, The Six is an epic journey of research that crosses continents to reveal the tales of these six forgotten survivors. Their names were Ah Lam, Chang Chip, Cheong Foo, Fang Lang (or Fong Wing Sun), Lee Bing and Ling Hee.

Were they heroes? Were they cowards? Or were they just lucky?

The story of these six Chinese survivors, an extraordinary tale of survival against all odds

'Resurrecting forgotten voices from history's most famous shipwreck, Schwankert's meticulous research unveils the harrowing journey of the Chinese Titanic survivors, exposing a deeply human narrative lost to time and prejudice.'



'This surprising new chapter in the story of Titanic is enthralling and long overdue. With dogged determination and consummate sleuthing skills, Schwankert and his team reclaim the lives of the six Chinese survivors from the mists of time, proving that history is not only about the rich and mighty, but also the poor and powerless. Anyone who is fascinated by the story of Titanic should read this book.'



'Occasionally a book comes along that adds a totally new perspective to a story we all think we know so well. "The Six" is just such a book. Schwankert's research revises the narrative of that infamous night on the Titanic by revealing the stories of the six Chinese men who survived.'



'A master class of storytelling, The Six tells the backstory of the Chinese passengers who survived the catastrophic sinking of the Titanic. Extensively and meticulously researched, the author takes the reader on a gripping journey from rural China to the lives these passengers lived leading up to and after the fateful day in the North Atlantic in 1912 — a captivating but unknown story to one of the world's most tragic maritime disasters. The Six is an excellent book that addresses not only the role of the Chinese passengers but also provides a complete history of the Titanic's demise in a coherent and engaging narrative.'



'Steven Schwankert's gripping tour de force uncovers the untold stories of the Chinese passengers aboard Titanic. Through meticulous research, he reveals their true identities and family histories, offering invaluable cultural context that brings their lives and experiences into sharp focus. By doing so, he sheds light on this often-overlooked chapter of history.'



'The events of history, especially those associated with tragic loss, often mask the roles of individuals in tallies of large losses. Such is the case with Titanic. The stories of individuals caught up in that "night to remember" have been an important part of the narrative of that tragedy since 1912. However, not every individual, nor group of individuals had their stories heard or shared. This is certainly the case with the non-English speaking passengers, and powerfully so with the six Chinese who were on Titanic. With meticulous scholarship, Steven Schwankert, no stranger to tales of the sea, shipwrecks, and Titanic's story, shares the story of the six. It is a powerful story, and even more so a universal tale, when all are acknowledged, and voices are heard.' weniger anzeigen expand_less