Summary of Dead Wake: : The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson | Summary & Analysis

by aBookaDay

Warning This is an independent addition to Dead Wake, meant to enhance your experience of the original book. If you have not yet bought the original copy, make sure to purchase it before buying this unofficial summary from aBookaDay. Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by bestselling author Erik Larson offers a detailed look into the May 7, 1915 sinking of the British passenger ship the Lusitania by a German U-boat near the start of WWI. This review follows along the chronological storyline of the book, and includes special attention to the extensive detail offered by the author. The summary is followed by an analysis of the book's strengths and weaknesses. Larson weaves this story by offering alternating views of the captain of the Lusitania, the commander of the sub that sank it, the passengers aboard the ship, British naval intelligence officers, and President Wilson. The general story line is chronological and the various perspectives alternate throughout the telling. Two central thesis are developed throughout the book. The first is that the author is sympathetic to the captain of the Lusitania who was somewhat maligned after the event by those who sought to blame the sinking of the ship on his incompetence. The second concerns the suggestion that there was deliberate negligence on the part of British intelligence and leadership who recognized strategic advantage in the ship being attacked in terms of its potential to draw Americans into the war as allies. The author uses rich archival detail to support both claims. Larson is both an accomplished journalist and historical novelist. He has written four New York Times bestselling books on subjects ranging from serial killers to hurricanes. He has written for The Wall Street Journal and Time Magazine as a staff journalist. He has been a contributing author to The Atlantic, Harper's, and The New Yorker. His academic background includes a bachelors in Russian history, language and culture from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters in journalism from Columbia University. Download your copy today! for a limited time discount of only $2.99! Available on PC, Mac, smart phone, tablet or Kindle device. (c) 2015 All Rights Reserved

Genres: History, Audiobook, Nonfiction, The Americas, Historical, Book Club

44 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2015

Reviews

[David Crow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erik Larson is a master of the kraft of inspirational writing. His books are masterpieces. Dead Wake is brilliant, poignant, and relevant. He makes the reader feel all that happens on the Lusitania and puts the sinking in perfect context. No one does it better. Each of his books is better than the one before if that is possible and it is. I hated for it to end.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read about the last voyage of the Lusitania, told from the perspective of the ship's passengers and also from the perspective of the German U-boat commanders. At times the amount of detail the author employed seemed a bit excessive, however, that didn't detract hugely from my enjoyment of the story. The theory that Great Britain may have (sort of) intentionally left the Lusitania unprotected/uninformed about the U-boat threat as she approached Liverpool (as a way of bringing the United States into WWI) is an interesting one. It certainly raises some questions, which is an admirable outcome for any book.
Oops. I meant to select the actual book - this is just the summary and analysis. Guess I better read this one too.

[Brendan Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author gives an excellent insight into the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania and the associated political, social and military context. One cannot but conclude that this tragedy was entirely avoidable and arose in no small way from the callous attitude and behaviour of Britain’s political and military elite. The author points out that, ultimately, the sinking did not on its own lead to the United States’ joining the Allies.

[Todd Friars · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched book which enabled the author to vividly provide a sense of what it was like to be onboard the Lusitania and also the German U20 sub. All kinds of background and some insights into possible events / decisions leading up to the sinking of the ship - much of which was new to me.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting NF book. Well researched and interesting but a bit slow going for me at times. Almost too much detail! Read for my book group.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

This extensively researched book(like all of Larson's books)is a dramatic & captivating account of the sinking of the Lusitania sailing from New York to Liverpool in May 1915 & sunk almost by accident just short of its destination, with the loss of over 1000 lives, though over 700 survived. Larson details the personalities involved-Capt.Turner who commanded the ship, Capt.Schwieger who commanded U boat-20 who sank the ship, and a variety of passengers aboard the Lusitania, as well as others involved in the story. He described the final moments with great sensitivity & empathy, transmitting the horror of the event & the failings of the British admiralty in protecting the ship in the face of its intimate knowledge of the whereabouts of U-20, and the sinking of several ships in the same area in the few days preceding. He mentions the possibility that Winston Churchill & the British government wanted to draw the US into the war by having its citizens involved in the sinking of a passenger ship.
Certainly they tried to pin the blame on Capt.Turner, but he was tried & exonerated. It took 2 more years & many more sinkings to get US president Wilson to finally get the US into the war.

[Amy Cima · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this four stars if I were a huge of ships, WW1 and/or the Lusitania. The detail and descriptions of Mr. Larson’s story telling are superb. He obviously spent a very long time researching all details of the voyage of the ship prior to its demise. The passenger details and stories, which Iare heavily described in detail, are fiction, although I am sure many of the names and a small amount of information may be true. I do love Mr. Larsen’s writing style and will enthusiastically continue to read all his books, Devil in the White City and Thunderstruck are similar in this manner, but for me the information was more of interest to me. You must enjoy this type of history; the intrigues of the First World War, Churchill, Woodrow Wilson and the key players of the naval authorities of the time. Five for writing and story telling and a three because it was tedious information to me, though my husband enjoyed it more.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larson is a magician. He makes a captivating thriller out of the stuff of a great tragedy. Thoroughly researched, the book is a memorable example of masterly storytelling, as Larson artfully weaves the stories of crew and passengers, U-boat villains, sleepwalking politicians and pigheaded (and possibly conspiratorial) Royal Navy officials into a tapestry that is suspenseful and thrilling, poignant and painful. This is my second reading of this book. I look forward to reading it again.

[Carbo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing account of what happened in a very pivotal moment of WW1 history. At a time when voyaging across the Atlantic was a luxury compounded with very turbulent times in history can tell a very remarkable story. Mistakes learned from the Titanic did not save Lusitania. It is sad that the tragedy was a combination of fate and human error.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Erik Larsen book is always a treat, a total emersion, 360 degree dive into history. This time it is the sinking of the Lusitainia, the event this history major always thought the singular trigger for America's entry into World War I. Book passage into the early 20th Century War years and live them through Mr. Garden's great narrative stylings.

[Adambowen1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing telling of an unbelievable truth. It was like I was on the deck of the ship myself when it happened. So interesting to also see the side from the U Boat captains perspective. Ruthless acts of war. Learning about our past helps me feel connected to the present.

[Michelle Dailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for upcoming book club. I never knew much about the Lusitania and enjoyed the historical aspect and so tragic. Gave perspective from both sides, but still have little empathy for the U-Boat.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love all the info from journals, letters, and so on. Glad there was info from the aftermath even though it was heartbreaking.

[Harold Crowder · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was SO MUCH MORE to this story that Larson was masterful in revealing!

So glad I came across it & learned so much.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, my favorite of Larson's books.

[Jeanne Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erik Larson is one of my favorite historical novelists. This was my second of his after Devil in the White City.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant and profound story. Deeply moving. The author's masterful writing will keep you riveted.

[Elaine Sherwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Erik Larson's books are wonderful and this one is too. Beautifully researched and written to hold your interest. Loved it!

[Brian Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, I always learn reading Erik Larson.

[Marilyn Ostermiller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, author Eric Larsen brings history to life introducing us to a cast of fascinating characters.

[Stephanie Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erik Larson is the master of teaching history and a brilliant storyteller.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don’t read historical books like this, but it was a really well written book!! Read it!

[Celia Wolf · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love history, this book is for you! I found the various characters abd their stories do interesting. It can get a bit technical, as does all of Erik Larson's books, but, that is part if the interesting bits for me!

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suggested for a book group and I was not looking forward to a book about the sinking of a ship. But I was pleasantly surprised.
This was absolutely wonderful look at approaching war and the people affected by it. The author provided details from three aspects: those preparing/participating in the voyage, the Germans on the U boat, and the American and British military monitoring sea operations.

I have also read In The Garden of the Beasts by this author and would give it 5 stars as well.
Excellent research and writing.

[Georgia Dentel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything historical. And I had no idea the ship was only a day away from arrival when it was torpedoed. The dual points of view made it very compelling. I hadn't read much about WWI, and thought it was very interesting and tragic.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read. Well researched and stranger than fiction.

Not to be read in a bout of depression. The details and personal stories are so intimate that learning which travelers make it and those who don't is heartbreakingly real.

[Ana]

A clear, comprehensive and compassionate account of the sinking of the Lusitania, one of the events that decided the US to join the European Great War. It is a real "page-turner".

[Jennifer Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing account of a true piece of American and British history. Starts slowly but hang in there!