Annotations - Nonfiction

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

By: Erik Larson

Genre: Non-fiction

Publication Date: March 10, 2015

Number of Pages: 430

Geographical Setting: United States, England, Ireland, Atlantic Ocean

Time Period: World War I

Plot Summary: While the United States was trying to stay out of World War I, the German government was trying to wreak havoc on it’s enemies with the use of Unterseeboots, also known as submarines. These U-boats had the capability to sneak up on unsuspecting ships and fire torpedoes in order to sink them to the bottom of the ocean regardless of whose flag the ship was sailing. The HMS Lusitania planned to sail from New York City to Liverpool like it had done so many times before, never dreaming that their beautiful ocean liner would be a target for German U-boat captains. Despite a pre-departure warning from the German embassy, the passengers, crew, and captain all climbed aboard dreaming of their safe arrival in Ireland a week later. Before the ship reached safe harbor a series of seemingly insignificant events occurred to bring about a terrible tragedy that would begin America’s journey into war.

Subject Headings: Lusitania (Steamship); World War 1914-1918 -- Naval Operations, Germany; Shipping -- Government Policy -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th Century

Appeal: This engaging and richly detailed work of nonfiction will keep readers turning pages late into the night in order to discover the fate of the HMS Lusitania.

Read-alikes:

Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy by Diana Preston - A compelling and descriptive tale of the Lusitania last days afloat.

Lusitania: Triumph, Tragedy, and the End of the Edwardian Age by Greg King - An engaging and richly detailed story of the the Lusitania’s sinking and the years following.

A Night to Remember by Walter Lord - A fast paced and dramatic story about the sinking of the RMS Titanic.