Hoffman, William & Jack Grimm. Beyond Reach, the Search for the Titanic. 1st printing. NY: Beaufort Books. 1982. hardcover. isbn: 082530105X. scarcity: common.

Here is an interesting dilema. How do you write a book about an expedition that found nothing? Jack Grimm, the celebrated (some would say notorious), very successful oil magnate decides to find the Titanic. After trying for the Loch Ness monster, Noah’s Ark and Big Foot, I guess he thought he might have better luck finding something that actually existed. He didn’t.

William Hoffman, the writer, gets around this fact by interweaving stories of the Titanic with the shenanigans of the crew during the voyage. He writes an entertaining book, but beware - in his enthusiasm for the story he doesn’t always get his facts right. So call Beyond Reach ‘Titanic Lite’. It is a fun, quick read, just don’t take it too seriously.

Hoffman, William. Texas, A Year with the Boys. 1st printing. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Co. 1983. hardcover. isbn: 0878333371. scarcity: common.

This second book by Hoffman about Jack Grimm is apparently about the latter’s experiences with a group called the Texas Millionaire Society, as well as the author’s introduction and association with the group. Although there are scattered references to Grimm’s Titanic expedition, it is really not a focus of the book.

With thanks to Patty Miller for letting me know about the specifics of the Titanic connection in this book.