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So Close to Home: A True Story of an American Family's Fight for Survival during World War II
[Read by Elijah Alexander]
A true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War II -- and an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit.
On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles away from New Orleans. Captained by 29-year-old Iron Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with fifty-nine souls on board. Most of the crew were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family, consisting of the parents, Ray Sr. and Ina, along with their two children, eight-year-old Ray Jr., nicknamed ''Sonny,'' and eleven-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no notice that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, Ina and Lucille became separated from Ray Sr. and Sonny.
An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.
A true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War II -- and an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit.
On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles away from New Orleans. Captained by 29-year-old Iron Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with fifty-nine souls on board. Most of the crew were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family, consisting of the parents, Ray Sr. and Ina, along with their two children, eight-year-old Ray Jr., nicknamed ''Sonny,'' and eleven-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no notice that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, Ina and Lucille became separated from Ray Sr. and Sonny.
An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.
1 pages, Audio CD
Published May 3, 2016
67 people are currently reading
1747 people want to read
About the author
Michael J. Tougias
72 books160 followersAdventure is the theme that runs through most of my books, from outdoors titles (The Connecticut River from Source to Sea, Exploring the Hidden Charles) to fiction (Until I Have No Country) to nonfiction sea rescues (Overboard! A Storm Too Soon, Rescue of the Bounty).
One of my current adventures is waiting to see if Disney will begin filming a movie-length version of the Coast Guard rescue book The Finest Hours. Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends have been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) but I think they just want me to revise their characters so they don't look so dumb!
One of my current adventures is waiting to see if Disney will begin filming a movie-length version of the Coast Guard rescue book The Finest Hours. Another adventure for me is publishing a funny family memoir with my daughter, called The Cringe Chronicles (Mortifying Misadventures with my Dad).
My friends have been asking if I'll write a sequel to There's a Porcupine in my Outhouse (2003 Outdoor Book of the Year) but I think they just want me to revise their characters so they don't look so dumb!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 5, 2016
A very well written and thoroughly researched historical account of The Heredia that was bombed and sunk by the Germans in the Gulf of Mexico during World War II that had civilians on board.
Mr. Tougias and Ms O'Leary detailed the military aspects and described all scenes so vividly that you could feel the cold and dampness and the fear all crew members and the Downs family was experiencing as they escaped from the wreckage.
You could actually put yourself with the survivors as they clung to a small makeshift raft, feared the sharks, suffered sun burn, craved water and food, and prayed for rescue boats to arrive.
The technical aspect was a bit too much for me to absorb, but the human element added in made for an excellent read. If you are a military buff, SO CLOSE TO HOME will be a book you will want to read.
The personal aspect of the survivors, and especially the Downs family held my interest.
I normally do not read non-fiction, but I am glad I read this book. It is an event in history that I knew nothing about. 4/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
September 30, 2025
This book tells the true story of the sinking of merchant ships in the Gulf of Mexico by German U-Boats during World War II. It focuses on the Downs family: father, Ray, mother, Ina, and their two children, Sonny (age 8) and Lucille (age 11). They were returning to the US aboard a ship called the Heredia (loaded with bananas) after Ray’s work assignment with United Fruit Company in Colombia. On May 19, 1942, German U-boat commander Erich Würdemann torpedoed the Heredia fifty miles from New Orleans, sinking the vessel with sixty-two people aboard. It covers the family’s journey and their attempt to survive.
The narrative shifts in perspectives between the merchant ships in the Gulf of Mexico and the German U-boats in American waters. The author incorporates entries from Würdemann's war diary. He sets the context of what was happening with war preparations in the US and the lack of widespread awareness of how close the war was coming to American shores. It contains details of the American home front experience. The family’s story is riveting. I always appreciate finding out about these types of specific events, which bring to light the impact of the war on individuals of the time.
The narrative shifts in perspectives between the merchant ships in the Gulf of Mexico and the German U-boats in American waters. The author incorporates entries from Würdemann's war diary. He sets the context of what was happening with war preparations in the US and the lack of widespread awareness of how close the war was coming to American shores. It contains details of the American home front experience. The family’s story is riveting. I always appreciate finding out about these types of specific events, which bring to light the impact of the war on individuals of the time.
May 24, 2016
Before the United States became involved in World War II, Ina and Ray Downs and two of their children had been living in South America while Ray was employed by the United Fruit and Steamship Company. Now, in 1942, with the U.S. participation in the war, the Downs family decided it was time to return home. Their passage had been booked aboard the Heredia, a freighter which carried coffee and bananas. They were bound for the port of New Orleans sailing by way of the Gulf of Mexico.
Around the same point in time, Hitler charged his commander of the Navy, Admiral Donitz, with the implementation of Operation Drumbeat. This operation required German submarines, called U-boats, to enter the waters off the eastern coast of the United States and the Caribbean with the sole purpose of sinking as many ships as possible. The U.S. submarine program was in its infancy, and appeared to be no match for the sophisticated German boats. From the start of Operation Drumbeat in January 1942 through the end of April, the U.S. had sunk one U-boat, while the U-boats off the coast of the U.S. and in the Caribbean had sunk 173 ships. The Germans were astounded that U.S. shipping lanes had no convoys and no escort vessels for their ships. There was also sparse air surveillance.
As the freighter Heredia neared its destination, it crossed paths with German U-boat 506....
Using original documents, interviews, eyewitness accounts, and the diaries of the U-boat commanders, authors Tougias and O’Leary bring to light the little known story about the fate of the Heredia and the widespread devastation caused by German U-boats who trolled the waters off the U.S. coastline.
Thank you to Iris at Pegasus books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this very interesting book!
Around the same point in time, Hitler charged his commander of the Navy, Admiral Donitz, with the implementation of Operation Drumbeat. This operation required German submarines, called U-boats, to enter the waters off the eastern coast of the United States and the Caribbean with the sole purpose of sinking as many ships as possible. The U.S. submarine program was in its infancy, and appeared to be no match for the sophisticated German boats. From the start of Operation Drumbeat in January 1942 through the end of April, the U.S. had sunk one U-boat, while the U-boats off the coast of the U.S. and in the Caribbean had sunk 173 ships. The Germans were astounded that U.S. shipping lanes had no convoys and no escort vessels for their ships. There was also sparse air surveillance.
As the freighter Heredia neared its destination, it crossed paths with German U-boat 506....
Using original documents, interviews, eyewitness accounts, and the diaries of the U-boat commanders, authors Tougias and O’Leary bring to light the little known story about the fate of the Heredia and the widespread devastation caused by German U-boats who trolled the waters off the U.S. coastline.
Thank you to Iris at Pegasus books for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of this very interesting book!
February 22, 2016
So Close to Home is a fascinating, well-researched book about an American family who survived a torpedo strike to the merchant ship they were traveling on in 1942. The family's story is interwoven with that of the German submarine captains that were trawling the Gulf of Mexico looking for targets. I had heard that there had been attacks off of the East Coast of the U.S. during World War II, but I had no idea that there had been U-boats in the Gulf as well. For me, this book was easy to read--detailed enough, but not so many details that I got bogged down in the story. I would suggest this book for people who enjoy Mitchell Zuckoff's Lost in Shangri-La or Frozen in Time, or Lauren Hillenbrand's Unbroken. Thanks to NetGalley and Pegasus Books for the ARC.
April 16, 2016
This was a thrilling and surprising true account of German U-boat warfare in American waters. Researched with detailed accounts from submarine commanders' war diaries and interviews with survivors, this story reads like historical fiction. Mr.Tougias and Ms. O'Leary treat the reader to detailed perspectives from friends and foes, and the curiosity and compassion they display. I found the chronicle of the young family who literally is blown apart by a Nazi torpedo, particularly compelling - civilians caught in the cross-hairs of WWII warfare and US censorship. Any fan of "Shadow Divers" by Robert Kurson will enjoy experiencing this unique story.
July 24, 2016
Review to follow......;)
And here it is.....07/23/2016
This book presents an event of WWII, close to American shores. German U-boats lurked, eager to sink American vessels. The 'Heredia', a merchant ship carrying coffee and bananas, is torpedoed in the Gulf of Mexico. Aboard ship is the Downs family; mother, father, and two children. They are returning from Central America where the father was employed. As the boat sinks, the family members are separated. Their battle to survive, as well as details of German and American naval presence in American waters, is fascinating.
The authors have researched the circumstances surrounding this incident through diaries, documents, etc. This is an amazing, suspenseful, significant piece of history. True to form, Tougias successfully relates the story so that the reader can almost feel the fear and determination of both civilians and crew. As with his other stories of ocean tragedies, I was captivated from beginning to end.
And here it is.....07/23/2016
This book presents an event of WWII, close to American shores. German U-boats lurked, eager to sink American vessels. The 'Heredia', a merchant ship carrying coffee and bananas, is torpedoed in the Gulf of Mexico. Aboard ship is the Downs family; mother, father, and two children. They are returning from Central America where the father was employed. As the boat sinks, the family members are separated. Their battle to survive, as well as details of German and American naval presence in American waters, is fascinating.
The authors have researched the circumstances surrounding this incident through diaries, documents, etc. This is an amazing, suspenseful, significant piece of history. True to form, Tougias successfully relates the story so that the reader can almost feel the fear and determination of both civilians and crew. As with his other stories of ocean tragedies, I was captivated from beginning to end.
May 15, 2019
Won in a Goodreads giveaway.
I love when authors tell history in a entertaining way, and that's what this book did. Similar to Devil in the White City, the each chapter alternates between two perspectives, happening in the same timeline. There's the Downs family who is just a regular American family who's ship gets sunk by a German U-Boat and then there's the U-Boat story line full of facts and multiple stories about wrecks and rescues.
The beginning was a bit slow, but once we get to the sinking, I couldn't put the book down. My copy also had some pictures of the actual people the book was talking about, which is always nice.
I love when authors tell history in a entertaining way, and that's what this book did. Similar to Devil in the White City, the each chapter alternates between two perspectives, happening in the same timeline. There's the Downs family who is just a regular American family who's ship gets sunk by a German U-Boat and then there's the U-Boat story line full of facts and multiple stories about wrecks and rescues.
The beginning was a bit slow, but once we get to the sinking, I couldn't put the book down. My copy also had some pictures of the actual people the book was talking about, which is always nice.
May 25, 2025
I love browsing the shelves at the library and came across this fascinating and terrifying account of San Antonio family as they were on their way home from work in Costa Rica. Wow! I had no idea that there was a U-boat threat in the Gulf of America (Mexico) in the early days of WWII. Although a small book at just over 200 pages I feel enlightened on this aspect of WWII.
February 25, 2021
On May 19, 1942, a German U-boat, captained by Erich Wurdemann, in the Gulf of Mexico just fifty miles from New Orleans, set its sights on the freighter Heredia. Among the 62 passengers, most were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family: Ray and Ina, and their two children, Sonny (8) and Lucille (11). On their very last night aboard the merchant ship, the U-boat attacked and sank the Heredia. The four members of the Downs family amazingly survived, though they were all separated from each other when the torpedoes hit the ship. Sonny and his Dad, Ray managed to get together on a raft with the captain of the Heredia and another passenger and spent almost 2 days on a raft before being rescued. Lucille was assisted by one of the seaman and as a result of their adventure together, they kept in touch with each other throughout their lives. Ina was by herself, covered in oil which damaged one of her eyes, floating, searching for her family until she was finally picked up by the boat that also rescued Ray and Sonny. They lost everything in the attack as they were returning from working in Costa Rica and had signed an agreement with the company Ray worked for that the company would not be liable if they were attached by a U-boat. After they finally were able to return home, Ray served with the Coast Guard. Once, later in school, Sonny received an F on a composition in school because the assignment was to write a true story about the war. When he wrote about his experience of surviving the U-boat attack, the teacher gave him a failing grade because she didn't realize that his story really was true.
The authors also quote from the original records of the U-boat captain, adding perspective of his and German U-boat captains who wreaked havoc on the American waters, often unbeknownst to the American public. At times, beaches along the coast would have to be closed as wreckage would float ashore from ships that were hit by U-boats and yet, the government and the media did not publish much news about so much happening "so close to home."
This is a very well-researched and written book. In addition to the story of the Downs family, much information about the German U-boat campaigns and their many successful sinkings of American ships are also described in detail. Other than one time, all of the German U-boat captains did not kill survivors of a torpedo attack and often would supply water, cigarettes and other supplies to those in the life boats.
I did not realize how close to home the Germans really came - often within sight of the American shore with their U-boats. Several times U-boats were used to drop off spies who entered America and were given the purpose of causing havoc to the infrastructure in the U.S. incognito. However, two of the spies had a change of heart, contacted the FBI and the entire plot was dismantled.
At one point Germans had sunk about 170 ships while the American had only eliminated one U-boat.
The German sub-warfare in 1943-1943 had horrifying results until finally American technology advanced and the U-boat time of victory came to an end.
The authors also quote from the original records of the U-boat captain, adding perspective of his and German U-boat captains who wreaked havoc on the American waters, often unbeknownst to the American public. At times, beaches along the coast would have to be closed as wreckage would float ashore from ships that were hit by U-boats and yet, the government and the media did not publish much news about so much happening "so close to home."
This is a very well-researched and written book. In addition to the story of the Downs family, much information about the German U-boat campaigns and their many successful sinkings of American ships are also described in detail. Other than one time, all of the German U-boat captains did not kill survivors of a torpedo attack and often would supply water, cigarettes and other supplies to those in the life boats.
I did not realize how close to home the Germans really came - often within sight of the American shore with their U-boats. Several times U-boats were used to drop off spies who entered America and were given the purpose of causing havoc to the infrastructure in the U.S. incognito. However, two of the spies had a change of heart, contacted the FBI and the entire plot was dismantled.
At one point Germans had sunk about 170 ships while the American had only eliminated one U-boat.
The German sub-warfare in 1943-1943 had horrifying results until finally American technology advanced and the U-boat time of victory came to an end.
February 19, 2017
As noted by the authors, this is a piece of WWII history that not many people have heard. This book tells the true story of a family returning to Texas from South America where the father had been working. As they traveled through the Gulf of Mexico, their boat was torpedoed by a German U-boat and the family was separated, struggling to survive. The authors clearly researched the material to not only tell the family's story, but also that of some of the crew, the U-boat captains and some of the people that aided in their rescue and recovery. The book even follows the story into the years after the war ended, including the Nuremberg trials.
November 27, 2016
Tougias provides exactly what he says he's going to provide. It's a surprisingly arduous tale of a family surviving a torpedo from a German submarine sinking their ship and somehow ending up together and relatively unharmed. There's a great deal of history provided to catch us up on, including the German mindset when targeting these ships and why it took so long for rescue. It was pure luck in a lot of respects, and it's a fabulous time rooting for each individual family member.
The only thing I'd say is a bit of a disappointment is the back cover of the book already tells you how it ends. Obviously I realize this is history and I can therefore probably figure out how it ended on my own, but the best part of these kinds of stories is figuring out how it ended up.
I especially loved that the family gave credit to Mr. Sorli, the man who watched over their daughter. A fabulous man did a fabulous thing and got recognized for it, and more importantly--he SURVIVED! Guys! A guy did a good thing and DIDN'T DIE!!!! It's a freaking miracle!
Truthfully though it's a well-researched, fabulous story and I loved the breadth of the event history that the author covered. It's worth picking up.
The only thing I'd say is a bit of a disappointment is the back cover of the book already tells you how it ends. Obviously I realize this is history and I can therefore probably figure out how it ended on my own, but the best part of these kinds of stories is figuring out how it ended up.
I especially loved that the family gave credit to Mr. Sorli, the man who watched over their daughter. A fabulous man did a fabulous thing and got recognized for it, and more importantly--he SURVIVED! Guys! A guy did a good thing and DIDN'T DIE!!!! It's a freaking miracle!
Truthfully though it's a well-researched, fabulous story and I loved the breadth of the event history that the author covered. It's worth picking up.
November 14, 2016
Fascinating and true story about German U-Boats sinking non-combat related ships during World War II. This book centers around a sinking within 40 miles of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, and of the lives of a family who lived through that nightmare.
September 14, 2017
So Close to Home by Michael J. Tougias and Alison O'Leary is a riveting account of the amazing, providential survival and reunion of a family after the ship they are travelling on was torpedoed by a German submarine.
In 1942, the Downs Family, consisting of Ray and Ina Downs and two of their children, Lucille and Sonny Downs (their oldest son Terry was already in the U.S.), were making their way back to the United States from an eleven month stay in Columbia where Ray had taken a job with the United Fruit Company. They began their journey home on a ship called the Heredia.
Their trip home was drastically interrupted. The night before they were to land at New Orleans, two torpedoes hit the ship. The Downs' almost make it out onto the deck of this ship together but are separated by a lurch of the ship causing a surge of water to engulf them. Ray is washed back inside the ship, while Ina, Lucille and Sonny are swept to various places on the decks and in the water, all find themselves separated from the rest of their family.
Ray is reunited with Sonny after a short while, Lucille is helped by the Second Mate of the Heredia while Ina struggles to survive on her own. They all have encounters with sharks and suffer from long exposure to the elements. All of them have to deal with their fears for each other, wondering whether the rest of their family is still alive and they all try to keep their composure during their ordeal. Even little Sonny tries to be tough like his dad and succeeds in not breaking down. The Downs' family ends up happily reunited, all of them amazed and grateful that they survived.
Heavily intermixed with the story of the Downs family story are the accounts of several U-boat Captains and their crews, including that of the Captain of the U-boat that sank the Heredia. The authors interweave these accounts by jumping off many incidents in the Downs' story to lead into history and facts about German submarines, their crews and other ships they sank. I found it very interesting that, unlike the Japanese, many German Submarine Captains were kind and friendly to survivors of ships that they sank. The most amazing one is probably the account of the sinking of the ship called the Laconia which carried many civilians. The Captain of the U-boat who sunk her surfaced and took on many survivors, helped any injured, and ended up obtaining help from other German U-boats who also took on survivors and all of them towed several lifeboats in their wake and helped to repair lifeboats.
I'm going give a couple of negative comments here: First, I just want to note that book had some foul language, but it is easy enough to scribble out and to skip over (I've been reading it out-loud to some of my siblings). Sometimes I don't want to know what people said exactly the way it was said, even if it is actually history.
Second, I was saddened to find that, though Ray and Ina Downs' seemed to be professing Christians, they ended up divorcing later in life. If they hadn't been Christians I wouldn't have thought much of it. But they were professing Christians, and as such they could have shown the kind of unconditional love toward each other that God showed toward them. That was not a good example of a Christian marriage, that they loved each other conditionally rather than unconditionally. It is quite disheartening to think that they had the stamina to survive a ship's sinking, almost being drowned or eaten by sharks and yet they didn't have the stamina to choose to keep loving each other despite each other's flaws and keep their marriage covenant. Perhaps I am getting too preachy here, but that was just really sad to find out.
But all in all, I liked the book. It was a very fascinating account of the sinking of the Heredia with lots of background history and information interwoven throughout the book. It was very surprising to find how much German U-boat activity was happening in the Gulf of Mexico. I had no idea that U-boats came SO close to the U.S.! Looking at the map just inside the front cover of the book one can get a picture of just how close they got. Some U-boats even gave potential German saboteurs a lift to our shores! I learned quite a bit of extra World War II history.
Many thanks to the folks at Pegasus Books for sending me a free review copy of this book (My review did not have to be favorable)!
In 1942, the Downs Family, consisting of Ray and Ina Downs and two of their children, Lucille and Sonny Downs (their oldest son Terry was already in the U.S.), were making their way back to the United States from an eleven month stay in Columbia where Ray had taken a job with the United Fruit Company. They began their journey home on a ship called the Heredia.
Their trip home was drastically interrupted. The night before they were to land at New Orleans, two torpedoes hit the ship. The Downs' almost make it out onto the deck of this ship together but are separated by a lurch of the ship causing a surge of water to engulf them. Ray is washed back inside the ship, while Ina, Lucille and Sonny are swept to various places on the decks and in the water, all find themselves separated from the rest of their family.
Ray is reunited with Sonny after a short while, Lucille is helped by the Second Mate of the Heredia while Ina struggles to survive on her own. They all have encounters with sharks and suffer from long exposure to the elements. All of them have to deal with their fears for each other, wondering whether the rest of their family is still alive and they all try to keep their composure during their ordeal. Even little Sonny tries to be tough like his dad and succeeds in not breaking down. The Downs' family ends up happily reunited, all of them amazed and grateful that they survived.
Heavily intermixed with the story of the Downs family story are the accounts of several U-boat Captains and their crews, including that of the Captain of the U-boat that sank the Heredia. The authors interweave these accounts by jumping off many incidents in the Downs' story to lead into history and facts about German submarines, their crews and other ships they sank. I found it very interesting that, unlike the Japanese, many German Submarine Captains were kind and friendly to survivors of ships that they sank. The most amazing one is probably the account of the sinking of the ship called the Laconia which carried many civilians. The Captain of the U-boat who sunk her surfaced and took on many survivors, helped any injured, and ended up obtaining help from other German U-boats who also took on survivors and all of them towed several lifeboats in their wake and helped to repair lifeboats.
I'm going give a couple of negative comments here: First, I just want to note that book had some foul language, but it is easy enough to scribble out and to skip over (I've been reading it out-loud to some of my siblings). Sometimes I don't want to know what people said exactly the way it was said, even if it is actually history.
Second, I was saddened to find that, though Ray and Ina Downs' seemed to be professing Christians, they ended up divorcing later in life. If they hadn't been Christians I wouldn't have thought much of it. But they were professing Christians, and as such they could have shown the kind of unconditional love toward each other that God showed toward them. That was not a good example of a Christian marriage, that they loved each other conditionally rather than unconditionally. It is quite disheartening to think that they had the stamina to survive a ship's sinking, almost being drowned or eaten by sharks and yet they didn't have the stamina to choose to keep loving each other despite each other's flaws and keep their marriage covenant. Perhaps I am getting too preachy here, but that was just really sad to find out.
But all in all, I liked the book. It was a very fascinating account of the sinking of the Heredia with lots of background history and information interwoven throughout the book. It was very surprising to find how much German U-boat activity was happening in the Gulf of Mexico. I had no idea that U-boats came SO close to the U.S.! Looking at the map just inside the front cover of the book one can get a picture of just how close they got. Some U-boats even gave potential German saboteurs a lift to our shores! I learned quite a bit of extra World War II history.
Many thanks to the folks at Pegasus Books for sending me a free review copy of this book (My review did not have to be favorable)!
December 15, 2016
Who knew? Who knew that Nazi Germany brought World War II so close to America’s shores? This is a part of that great global conflict that rarely gets mentioned in middle and high school history classes. That’s why this “true story of an American family’s fight for survival during World War II” came as a shock to this reviewer.
You may have heard about the German saboteurs who were dropped off by a U-boat on Long Island, or the Nazi spies who were dispatched off the coast of northern Florida. Those true espionage tales are included here as well. But, Germany’s underwater war on American and Allied shipping in the Gulf of Mexico has gone largely unreported until now.
This reviewer agrees with author Adam Makos. Michael J. Tougias and Alison O’Leary take the reader “into the dark sea where an American family is floundering to stay alive and onto the steel-planked deck of the German U-boat that put them there.” Or, in the words of another New York Times bestselling author, Alex Kershaw, this “is a truly gripping, deeply affecting saga of undersea warfare and of an extraordinary American family caught in the crosshairs of history.” Ray, Ina, Lucille and Sonny Downs’ deadly encounter with German U-boat captain Erich Wurdemann, again to quote Makos, “is priceless history.”
In the authors’ notes that follow this war time drama, Tougias reveals that researching and writing the Downs’ survival tale gave him a new-found “respect . . . for U-boat commanders and the men who served with them. Prior to this project, (he) thought of them all as fanatical Nazis, when in fact most weren’t even members of the Nazi party, but rather were young men fighting for their country.” Tougias believes “had they been born in the U.K. or the U.S., they would have served in the Allied cause and served with distinction.”
In summary, in O’Leary’s own words, “So Close to Home encapsulates a microcosm of the human condition: hard work isn’t always rewarded, the fruits of one’s labors can be snatched away and retribution isn’t always possible, even for the clearest transgression.”
My one take away from this Titanic-like tale? I would love to rewrite this one as a screenplay. It would make an incredible full length feature motion picture!
You may have heard about the German saboteurs who were dropped off by a U-boat on Long Island, or the Nazi spies who were dispatched off the coast of northern Florida. Those true espionage tales are included here as well. But, Germany’s underwater war on American and Allied shipping in the Gulf of Mexico has gone largely unreported until now.
This reviewer agrees with author Adam Makos. Michael J. Tougias and Alison O’Leary take the reader “into the dark sea where an American family is floundering to stay alive and onto the steel-planked deck of the German U-boat that put them there.” Or, in the words of another New York Times bestselling author, Alex Kershaw, this “is a truly gripping, deeply affecting saga of undersea warfare and of an extraordinary American family caught in the crosshairs of history.” Ray, Ina, Lucille and Sonny Downs’ deadly encounter with German U-boat captain Erich Wurdemann, again to quote Makos, “is priceless history.”
In the authors’ notes that follow this war time drama, Tougias reveals that researching and writing the Downs’ survival tale gave him a new-found “respect . . . for U-boat commanders and the men who served with them. Prior to this project, (he) thought of them all as fanatical Nazis, when in fact most weren’t even members of the Nazi party, but rather were young men fighting for their country.” Tougias believes “had they been born in the U.K. or the U.S., they would have served in the Allied cause and served with distinction.”
In summary, in O’Leary’s own words, “So Close to Home encapsulates a microcosm of the human condition: hard work isn’t always rewarded, the fruits of one’s labors can be snatched away and retribution isn’t always possible, even for the clearest transgression.”
My one take away from this Titanic-like tale? I would love to rewrite this one as a screenplay. It would make an incredible full length feature motion picture!
May 31, 2018
The title of the book doesn't hint at the large dose of U-boat history included, so I was annoyed at first that the two German subs were getting more print than the family. But, having studied some about U-boat history because of an uncle (Delbert Wilson) on the crew of the USS Maumee (AO-2), who survived fuel runs up and down the East Coast in 1942, a trip across to Casablanca to fuel small craft after Operation Torch (and even a fire after a hurricane), then the East Coast again in 1943, I was fascinated by how much the authors could learn about specific U-boats.What a miracle that all four Downs family members survived this surprising episode of history! I especially enjoyed learning how the authors learned about the story and their research, also bringing the histories of the people involved up to date. Remember the oil slick in 1992 in the Gulf of Mexico? Hardly anyone would, but it was seeping from the ship Heredia from which the Downs family escaped after being sunk by a U-boat in 1942. Among the reviews of this book is one by Todd Windyhill, son of the 3rd Office on the Heredia, who tells some about his history, even surviving another torpedoing the next May.
August 14, 2019
Loved this book. About a husband, wife, son age 6 and daughter age 11 who were returning to the States from Costa Rica on a United Fruit Company vessel in 1942. The vessel was torpedoed 40 miles from New Orleans by a German Uboat submarine during World War II. It is about their amazing resilience surviving. They lost all their money they had saved for a year, their car, their clothes but managed to survive. The book tracks the activities of two Uboats, the U-506 and the U-507. The U-506 sunk 12 ships and U-507 sunk 10 ships. The unbelievable fact is that these Uboats were easily picking merchant ships to torpedo and the US Govt was not equipped to fight back, which ended in countless loss of lives. Also it seemed the Navy covered up or downplayed the facts about the attacks. It wasn't until much later that the US Govt became better equipped to locate Uboats, etc. using better tracking equipment, air search, dimming lights at nights on the coast and having ships sail in convoys. Quote from book: "More than 2600 Allied merchant ships were sunk, along with 175 naval vessels and 784 of 1,162 U-boats."
May 16, 2020
I saw a presentation on this book by one of the Authors, Michael Tougias, at my local museum in central Florida so I bought it.
Very enjoyable book about a topic I was rather unfamiliar with. I had no clue that German submarines were attacking random ships off our coasts in the early days of WWII.
This book tells the survival story of one such family traveling on a ship that was sunk by a German submarine. The book includes stories about the submarine captains and some of their crew as well. That's one thing I liked about this book is that it told the story on both sides.
The one downside about the book is that it seems to go off on other tangents and in weird directions. Probably to fill up space since the main story isn't that long. But over all I enjoyed learning more about the topic.
It is rather frustrating to learn that people along the coasts refused to turn their lights off in the evening for the safety of our ships. How silly.
Great book for history nerds.
Very enjoyable book about a topic I was rather unfamiliar with. I had no clue that German submarines were attacking random ships off our coasts in the early days of WWII.
This book tells the survival story of one such family traveling on a ship that was sunk by a German submarine. The book includes stories about the submarine captains and some of their crew as well. That's one thing I liked about this book is that it told the story on both sides.
The one downside about the book is that it seems to go off on other tangents and in weird directions. Probably to fill up space since the main story isn't that long. But over all I enjoyed learning more about the topic.
It is rather frustrating to learn that people along the coasts refused to turn their lights off in the evening for the safety of our ships. How silly.
Great book for history nerds.
January 24, 2023
Having read quite a few of Mr. Tougias's non-fiction books, sometimes with a co-author and sometimes not, as well as having focused on many of his maritime stories of disaster and courage, I generally knew what to expect in this one. However, the authors went beyond my expectations this time, and this particular story hit me with power, historical details, and emotion. An absolutely incredible tale of a family's nightmare after the sinking of the ship they were on by a German U-boat and their efforts to survive. But the books also digs deeply into the U-boat history in general and the U-boats involved in this chapter of World War II. The sources which the writers obtained and used to create their story are also beyond impressive and contribute to the fascinating details presented throughout this book. Highly, highly recommended to readers of WWII, maritime history, and/or stories of the human spirit overcoming odds. An excellent one.
May 7, 2019
I have read and enjoyed many of Michael J. Tougias' books. I couldn't put this one down. I have read many books on WWII and Germany, but this was a whole new experiences. This book is about U-boats and their penetration and destruction of many ships in the coast off of America. Also involved is the incredible family of 4, who happen to be returning from work in South America to reestablish their lives in Texas. The boat they are on is torpedoed and sunk just miles from docking to start their new lives and be reunited with their older brother. As they say truth is stranger then fiction. This family survived unbelievable ordeals to be reunite. The book also gives you perspective into the lives of the U-boats captains and crew. A great book for book club discussion. I thought I knew a lot about this war, but learned so much new information from this incredible book!
October 23, 2019
Like much of America, this wasn't taught in my grade school education; we know so little about the happenings of WWII and older wars, due to the absence of reporting technology. We only know what we are told, unless we take the job of digging to find more. I was shocked to learn about how many civilian and military lives were lost within sight of our shores. This was a fascinating read, loaded with history. Reading about the different sub "aces" on the German side was really interesting as well, learning about them, their families, the men they served with. It was also noteworthy that many of the POW German prisoners had no clue about Hitler's ultimate plan for the Jews, and when they saw footage of the liberation of those camps, many burned their uniforms. War is an ugly horrible thing but it's horrible for both sides.
October 6, 2022
This is a family's survival story sprinkled in between a lot of WW II history, mostly around the U Boats that managed to get into the Gulf of Mexico, close to the mouth of the Mississippi. I wasn't taught this history when I was in school. I didn't know that the enemy was that close to our homeland. Very eye opening. Although I think the title is a little misleading in the main 'dual' theme of this book, I still appreciate actually getting to know a 'history' that I didn't know.
November 1, 2017
3.5 stars. This book follows 2 story lines—the life of a uboat and an average American family struggling to get by who survive a uboat attack. The first 25% of the book was slow, subsequent parts were at times riveting and others detailed and plodding as the 2 story lines diverge. Good history lesson
September 10, 2020
This work is a great historical work worthy of the time to read it and the price. The author obviously labored diligently to provide an accurate and thorough account of a little known piece of World War II history for his readers. It is delivered in a most interesting narrative form which has me looking for more of his work to enjoy.
May 13, 2017
The story of this family's struggles was interesting and engaging. However, even more interesting was the background information given about the German submarines and their crews. This book provides a fascinating WWII history lesson.
December 28, 2017
This is a fascinating true story that I would recommend to anyone who likes to read about WWII. Easy to read, well researched, well written, and so close to home!! While the epilogue is a bonus, it is imperative!
April 28, 2019
World War 2 Story
This book details he elements of the sinking of a ship in the Gulf of Mexico. It tells the story of a ship sunk by a U Boat and of a whole family's survival. It is interesting and something which very little is know in the States.
This book details he elements of the sinking of a ship in the Gulf of Mexico. It tells the story of a ship sunk by a U Boat and of a whole family's survival. It is interesting and something which very little is know in the States.
January 2, 2023
Well written account of a family’s experience in a U-Boat sinking. Well detailed and you can almost experience it along with them. Good detail on the general German campaign in the early days of US involvement in WWII.
June 22, 2023
Great story of a U boat sinking a freighter in the gulf of mexico as WWII began, and the family on board that managed to survive. The author weaves into the story facts of the war, and the story of the U boat commanders story. Very well told and interesting.
February 14, 2017
Interesting! I never knew about U-boats in American waters. I liked the alternating story of the Downs & the U-boat captains.
July 4, 2017
Excellent read!
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