The Sinking of the Lusitania

Eric Larson brings his talents as story teller, historian, and biographer to what is arguably the single most important war time event of the 20th century, the sinking of the Lusitania. Following one hundred years of tacit gentlemen’s agreement that innocent civilians were untouchable, this attack ushered in one of the bloodiest centuries for civilians of waring countries that the world has ever known. Larson weaves an impressive cast of characters into this story, including Woodrow Wilson, the president in mourning and in love; William Thomas Turner, the captain of the Lusitania; Walther Schwieger, the U-Boat captain who hunted the passenger liner and eventually launched the torpedoes that brought the USA reluctantly into The Great War; along with a famous bookseller, a renowned architect, and a dozen other people who were witness to this bit of history. Along the way, the book exposes many details of this event that were lost to history. The author weaves a story that is both historically accurate and relevant, while he reveals personal details about the many characters whose lives were irrevocably changed by the sinking of this luxury passenger liner. The tale is gripping and difficult to put down. If you get a chance to listen to the audio version, narrator Scott Brick brings the story to life in a way that will keep you listening late into the night or find you mesmerized in your parked car after you arrive home from your commute.