Comments (72)

Dead Wake

The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
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Dec 06, 2022JCLAllisonM rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This was my first Larson book, and I now understand why he is so beloved as a narrative nonfiction author. I learned a lot about the Lusitania and naval activity in WWI in this compelling read.
Aug 19, 2021Tdruid rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Absolutely excellent. Highly recommended. Deeply researched and documented and so very well written. It’s baffling to me how everyone knows all about the Titanic, yet so few know or care about the Lucitania. *****SPOILER ALERT!!!***** …
Feb 22, 2021Alpha_zzz rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Wow! There is a lot of information in this little gem on the Lusitania. Surprised it didn’t receive the coverage and attention that the Titanic received. There are a lot of decent human beings who performed heroic acts and a lot of…
Feb 20, 2021RachelPusey rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A book I found myself talking about a lot with friends. Fascinating and compelling.
Jan 19, 2021johnestewart rated this title 0.5 out of 5 stars
Started out slow but became more engrossing as the story progressed as you become interested in the people and who survived. It is sad that mistakes were made that could have prevented the disaster.
Dec 04, 2020JCLHebahA rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Narrative nonfiction is a genre that I don't often seek out but am usually pleasantly surprised to enjoy when I give it a try. I know Larson's writing generates instant hold lists when he has a new book, and this showed me just why--his…
Aug 18, 2020
rec. by Susan Meissner (along with some of the other titles - though, they can be hard reads) during author access w/RAR
Jul 08, 2020darciebl rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Had to come back and review this one, it's been pinging around in my head ever since. Erik Larson does it again with a phenomenal recounting of the sinking of the Lusitania, complete with setting the international stage for the sinking,…
JKozik
Jun 07, 2020JKozik rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
A very good telling of the sinking as well as the way people were back then. A bit slow during the first 50, or so pages. Once it sails from NYC the tale picks up. The nagging question of what the Admiralty will do - or won't do -…
Apr 24, 2020Ginsilver rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Another great read from Erik Larson. The detailed descriptions of time and place make you feel as though you are strolling among all the passengers aboard the doomed Lusitania. Considering we know how it ends, he creates lots of suspense…
Apr 23, 2020LAHscot rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
#2 Larson read of the pandemic; recommended by Mimi, 4-day read
Mar 22, 2020Nathante2003 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This book was a good choice for me to read as it told me more about the events that lead up to the sinking of the Lusitania in WWI. I liked the detail that was included about how the Admiralty of Britain was handling the U-boat threats and…
Dec 06, 2019peacebenow rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I didn't know much of anything about the Lusitania so reading this book was enlightening. An extremely well researched book that includes the psyche of the world as it enters WWI and how the Lusitania was basically allowed to be…
Oct 24, 2019horthhill rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
"Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" by Erik Larson is an historical account of the sinking of the most prominent ocean liner of its time. Everyone knows that a German submarine fired a torpedo and brought the U.S. into the…
Oct 10, 2019
I loved this book, Larson's writing style is brilliant. I read it in 2 days. 5 stars
Sep 17, 2019
Jan Reynolds' recommendation
Aug 14, 2019xiaojunbpl12 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The details, from U-boot technicalities to passenger anecdotes, arrested my attention throughout, and would be mundane or tedious if delivered by other writers. I was awestruck by the movie Titanic, which is now dwarfed by my…
Jul 16, 2019DanglingConversations rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I knew very little about this historical event. The beginning of the book is slow but the need for the technical background becomes apparent as the story progresses. As others have mentioned, I am not sure why President's Wilson's love…
Aug 15, 2018jeff1885 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
It gives you a "game board" style lay out, and then adds the political angle of the time between all the players of WWI. It also introduces you to Room 40. What is room 40? Can't tell you. read it and find out.
Jul 18, 2018
Erik Larson is a true storyteller. He manages to make a non-fiction book read as if it were unbelievable and it were a piece of fiction. You'll learn so much about WWII, U-boats and the Lusitania and it won't even feel like learning. …
Jun 20, 2018natcin7 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
March 29 2015 Erik Larson knows how to transform history into a compelling story. Thanks to his extensive research and inclusion of first-hand accounts, personal letters and diaries, the reader is transported back in time and boards the…
May 03, 2018LibrarianVB rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
This book was slow at first, read like a textbook at the beginning. However sticking with the novel was well worth it! Once mid way through you become invested in the people’s lives on the ship, as well as amazed at the small value of…
Apr 21, 2018books3819 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Loved it. Although we know the end of the story before reading the book, Erik Larson weaves a fascinating, fast-paced telling of the background. Well worthwhile.
Mar 16, 2018orange_lobster_23 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I am a big fan of Larson's writing and he brings the technological, (submarine, torpedo description), intrigue, (Room 40), suspense/chase (Schweiger's u boat) political, romance and historical personalities together in this books. I would…
Feb 27, 2018kimh454 rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I've read most of Larson's other work, and it was excellent. This was no different. His writing was so good, I could actually picture myself on the ship, or in the submarine.