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Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania | Erik Larson
#1 New York Times Bestseller From thebestselling author and master of narrative nonfiction comes the enthralling story of the sinking of the Lusitania On May 1, 1915, with WWI entering its tenth month, a luxury ocean liner as richly appointed as an English country house sailed out of New York, bound for Liverpool, carrying a record number of children and infants. The passengers were surprisingly at ease, even though Germany had declared the seas around Britain to be a war zone. For months, German U-boats had brought terror to the North Atlantic. But the Lusitania was one of the era s great transatlantic Greyhounds the fastest liner then in service and her captain, William Thomas Turner, placed tremendous faith in the gentlemanly strictures of warfare that for a century had kept civilian ships safe from attack. Germany, however, was determined to change the rules of the game, and Walther Schwieger, the captain of Unterseeboot-20, was happy to oblige. Meanwhile, an ultra-secret British intelligence unit tracked Schwieger s U-boat, but told no one. As U-20 and the Lusitania made their way toward Liverpool, an array of forces both grand and achingly small hubris, a chance fog, a closely guarded secret, and more all converged to produce one of the great disasters of history. It is a story that many of us think we know but don t, and Erik Larson tells it thrillingly, switching between hunter and hunted while painting a larger portrait of America at the height of the Progressive Era. Full of glamour and suspense, Dead Wake brings to life a cast of evocative characters, from famed Boston bookseller Charles Lauriat to pioneering female architect Theodate Pope to President Woodrow Wilson, a man lost to grief, dreading the widening war but also captivated by the prospect of new love. Gripping and important, Dead Wake captures the sheer drama and emotional power of a disaster whose intimate details and true meaning have long been obscured by history."
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Chiperskee
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Pickpick

I‘m always amazed when a writer can make such a suspenseful story when the reader already knows the ending.

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LeafingThroughLife
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The mysterious golden sky orb shining…on a *Saturday*! Naturally I had to take this rare opportunity to read outside for a change. 😀☀️

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MonicaLoves2Read
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Pickpick

4.5 ⭐

Erik Larson writes well researched books. When I read a book that he has written I know that I am going to get well researched, well written book that will transport me to whatever the year or years the book includes. I can vividly see myself there.

#nomfiction #history #bookspinbingo #readaway2024 #audiobook #alphabetchallenge2024 (D)

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JenReadsAlot
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CBee Looks good 😊 7mo
29 likes1 comment
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Awk_Word_Smith
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Pickpick

“Dead Wake” by Erik Larson is an exhilarating journey through history, written with the finesse of a master storyteller akin to Tom Clancy, Ian Fleming, or Robert Ludlum. Larson skillfully navigates between the roles of hunter and hunted, immersing readers in the heart-pounding suspense of the era.

Awk_Word_Smith With its blend of glamour, suspense, and historical significance, “Dead Wake” captures the essence of a pivotal moment in WWI history, revealing untold truths about the English Admiralty with gripping intensity. This book is a captivating read and an essential exploration of a disaster shrouded in mystery, brought to life with unparalleled aplomb. (edited) 9mo
18 likes1 comment
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Awk_Word_Smith
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Back to some good old non-fiction. This Erik Larson book has been on my TBR List for some time. Bon voyage!

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Mccall0113
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Little history lesson.

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fredthemoose
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Engaging account of the torpedoing of the Lusitania and its impact on geopolitics and some of the survivors

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wideeyedreader
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Pickpick

Larson never fails to provide a throughly readable and informative book. This one has the double honor of pulling me out of a reading slump, as it‘s the first book I‘ve managed to finish in a month… oops!

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DivineDiana
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Non fiction that reads like fiction. What a story!
#disaster #bookbinge

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🖤📚🖤 1y
Eggs Oh yeah so compelling 🖤🤍🖤 1y
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Eggs
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Apparently I really like NF disaster books - here are some I‘ve read over the past few years. Perhaps the human spirit and one‘s will to live is quite appealing.

#Disasters

#BookBinge

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

KT1432 I‘m drawn to disaster books too! I think because they give me hope that if I were in some catastrophic disaster there‘s a chance I could survive too. 🤔 1y
Eggs @KT1432 Great point 🥰 1y
63 likes2 comments
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JacqMac
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Pickpick

I don‘t know how Erik Larson always writes nonfiction that reads like fiction. But he never fails to pull me in. I listened to this one on audio and it‘s fantastic. He tells a great story.
#AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville

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TEArificbooks
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Pickpick

Read for #authoramonth Very informative but narrative.

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Bklover
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Pickpick

I learn so much from Erik Larson! He makes everything so fascinating that you can‘t wait to see what happens, even though you already know what happens! Devil in the White City is still my favorite, but this was excellent! Read this for #authoramonth #aam

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Jas16
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Pickpick

I knew next to nothing about the sinking of the Lusitania before #authoramonth convinced me to give this book a try. It took me some to get into it but, once I did, I found this incredibly interesting.

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Read4life
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I‘ve finished 2 #AuthorAMonth books. Neither came close to The Devil in the White City for me. Perhaps, I will reread White City but I‘m not planning to read any new-to-me Larson books this month.

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squirrelbrain
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Pickpick

#authoramonth

This was my first Larson book and I‘m glad he was chosen as an #aam as I found it fascinating.

The Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat during World War I. I liked the mix of viewpoints in the book; passengers‘ stories, both UK and US politics, what was happening on the submarine itself.

Of course, reading about a tragedy like this is ever easy but I thought that this was a balanced view and I learnt a lot.

LeahBergen I found this so fascinating, too! 2y
JillR I‘ve had this on my “maybe one day” list for ages! Might bump it up… 2y
squirrelbrain I think you‘d like it @JillR 2y
Megabooks This is definitely one of his best! 2y
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Crystal83
Pickpick

I found this book very interesting. The book talks about the tragedy of the Lusitania. I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars. #AwesomeApril day 2#EasterOMC day3 @Clwojick @LadyKatrina @Andrew65

Andrew65 Stacked, I need some Erik Larson books for later in the year. Well done 👏👏👏 2y
Clwojick Well done! 🖤 2y
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keithlafo
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Pickpick

A well-written and thoroughly researched account of the Lusitania‘s final voyage.

Bklover I‘m looking forward to reading this for #authoramonth ! 2y
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Megabooks
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Pickpick

This book about the sinking of the Lusitania is my least favorite Larson of the three I‘ve recently read. It didn‘t have the superb tension of Isaac‘s Storm nor the sheer evil of his book on Nazi Germany. Still, he is a narrative nonfiction champ and it is very good. I enjoyed being in the head of the German U-boat commander who sunk it. Captain Turner of the Lusitania was a great tragic figure. It‘s the details that make his writing shine.

Megabooks I‘m laying off his books for now in hopes that he gets chosen for next year‘s #AuthorAMonth 🤞🏻🤞🏻 Nazi Germany book ➡️ (edited) 2y
sprainedbrain I love Larson‘s books, and I think this is my fave. 2y
Megabooks @sprainedbrain you really can‘t go wrong with him. 2y
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rubyslippersreads @sprainedbrain I loved this book. I learned interesting things about both Winston Churchill and Captain von Trapp. 2y
DivineDiana I recently read this, and talked about it so much, that my husband read it too! 2y
Cinfhen Agreed that this wasn‘t my fav of his but still very good and I hope he gets chosen for #AAM too - are you going to try his new FICTION book 2y
Megabooks @rubyslippersreads those were interesting parts! 2y
Megabooks @DivineDiana fantastic! It‘s great to share an awesome book! 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen idk?? Time will tell! (You know how I am about planning 🤣) 2y
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Eggs
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Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🖤☠️🖤 2y
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DivineDiana
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Pickpick

This is a painting of the Lusitania, a luxury passenger ship which was sunk by a German torpedo in 1915. It was called a “Greyhound” because of its‘ speed. The book follows the story of Captain Turner, the German U-boat and many passengers. Fascinating information, although,at times, the nautical facts went over my head! Political intrigue.President Wilson‘s pursuit of his second wife added a respite from the devastation.#booked2022 #nauticaltheme

sprainedbrain I love that book. ❤️ 2y
rubyslippersreads I found this fascinating. I was also surprised to read about Captain von Trapp from The Sound of Music. 2y
Cinfhen Yay!!! Glad you found a good book for this prompt⚓️ 2y
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DivineDiana @sprainedbrain I agree! ❤️ 2y
DivineDiana @rubyslippersreads I too found that part so interesting! ❤️ 2y
DivineDiana @Cinfhen Me too! This challenge is helping me “Read My Own Books”! Much thanks! ❤️ (edited) 2y
Cinfhen Yay!!! Added bonus!!!! 2y
Librarybelle This was so good! 2y
BarbaraTheBibliophage Isn‘t this being made into a Netflix show? I‘d like to read it before watching! 2y
DivineDiana @Librarybelle It was good, and I talked so much about it, that now my husband is reading it! 🙂 2y
DivineDiana @BarbaraTheBibliophage I didn‘t hear that! It would be fantastic! 🤞🏻 2y
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DivineDiana
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This book has been sitting on my TBR shelves for years. I realized that it would work for a challenge and that the audio was also available from Libby. Thus, I am using the audio + book method to quicken the process. It is my first Erik Larsen read. When I checked Goodreads, I saw that it was also Jenny Colvin‘s first Larsen. I am dedicating this read to her. #rememberingjenny

tyoung2058 I've heard if this but haven't picked it up yet 2y
marleed I learn so much from Erik Lawson! 2y
DivineDiana @tyoung2058 Although I know the outcome, this book does an incredible job of filling in details of the time and place. 2y
DivineDiana @marleed His extensive research is apparent! 2y
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jessinikkip
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This entire year has been slowly sliding downhill until it was like an avalanche. To my #LitsyLove friends, I am so sorry I just fell away. I'd love to come back and write again. Hopefully this year can pick up soon

MemoirsForMe Wishing you better days ahead! We‘re here for you. 🤗❤️ 2y
Bookwormjillk I hope you‘re on the upswing soon 🤗 2y
kspenmoll It‘s good to hear from you. Sending wishes & hugs for better days coming to you. 💙❤️💚 2y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks No worries!! I hope things start looking up soon!! ❤️ 2y
DivineDiana Hope you are feeling better and back to Litsy soon! 2y
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Trace
Pickpick

Harrowing account of the infamous incident with historic implications.

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Mitch
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For our recent 22nd wedding anniversary we watched Titanic ( the taxi driver who took us to get our marriage licence in Vegas was playing the soundtrack and was horrified we‘d never seen the film -
So we promised him we‘d watch it as soon as we got home!). Put me in the mood for a book about ships and disaster! This seems to fit that bill!

BiblioLitten 💕 3y
AmyG Did you get married in Vegas? (My husband and I renewed pur vows on our 25th anniversary, in Vegas, by “Elvis”) 3y
Mitch @AmyG we did get married in Vegas - and post wedding we did an Elvis show! 3y
Reggie Thanks for sharing this. 3y
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marleed
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Pickpick

I gave myself a 2022 head start and began a chunkster in December. Haha - there‘s 75 pages of acknowledgments so it wasn‘t quite as daunting a read as I anticipated. I found this fascinating - and the wartime assumptions made astounded me. I‘ve heard the name Lusitania my whole life and I guess I assumed that meant I knew way more history about it than I did. Humbled by books!

Susanita I was especially fascinated by Wilson going out and taking a walk when he got the news! That wouldn‘t happen now. 3y
marleed @Susanita My last event before the initial Covid lockdown was a book event in a crowded room for Erik Larson and the tagged. He had flown from NYC to Chicago to KC and it was clear he was alarmed. I went home that night wondering if this thing was really real. Less than 24 hours later, I understood his apprehension. …I have mad respect for the research he puts into his books. I learn so much! 3y
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AmyK1
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Pickpick

It‘s amazing how Erik Larson makes something that should be really boring interesting. There was a lot of detail about submarines in WWI, the captains of both U-20 and the Lusitania, and the effort to get the US into the war. I loved the personal aspects, with quotes and details from survivors and writings/journals from the passengers and crew.

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BookDadGirlDad
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Pickpick

This was my #doublespin read for August. This book was very good. I did struggle with it at times. I think that has to do with this being my 2nd book about maritime disasters in about 1 month. It was well researched and full of personal details from survivors or recovered personal writings. I am left feeling sorrow that this was allowed to happen and even desired. I won't say further than that. I'll look for more of his works. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Oh, I have had this one on my TBR for a while. I just haven't had the head space for sad books!! 3y
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BookDadGirlDad
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Getting ready to start this for my #doublespin selection for August. I've heard all of his books are excellent. Being an ex-sailor, I hope this is as good as many say.

Cheshirecat913 I read The Garden of Beasts and was very impressed. I look forward to reading more of his books. 3y
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KCofKaysville
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Pickpick

If you are into disasters, like the Titanic, you will like it, but it has too many non-essential details. It took forever before it got to the actual torpedo hit and sinking. Learned more about U-boats in the first World War, and how it took two years before Wilson was able to get the USA into the War. Some more overall perspectives and facts could have been included, like how Wilson's second wife later practically led the country. Very good.

KathyWheeler Although I have this book — I love this author — this is one that I haven‘t read yet. 3y
KCofKaysville @KathyWheeler It takes a little effort to get into it, but it's worthwhile. 3y
DarkMina Love Erik Larson‘s books! 3y
KCofKaysville @DarkMina I love them too, but I've only read 4 so far. 3y
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KCofKaysville
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I'm reading this next. I've read his In the Garden of Beasts and Devil in the White City, and he's an author I like. I really enjoy popular history that's well written.

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shadowspeak17
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Now how many more will I get in before the end of the year? 😊📚
#goodreadschallenge

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Eggs
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Enchanted_Bibliophile Thanks for the tag 🌷 4y
Ruthiella Thanks for the tag.😀 4y
TheSpineView Thanks for thinking of me!😘 4y
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Klou Thanks for tagging me ❤ 4y
Kenyazero Thanks for the tag! 4y
TheAromaofBooks ❤ ❤ ❤ 4y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 💞💞💞 4y
42 likes8 comments
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Eggs
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Pickpick

Really like Erik Larson and hope to read more. I started with The Splendid and the Vile. I love being read to, so the audios of his books are great 👍🏼
Dead Wake is the artfully written history of the last voyage of Lusitania and the sub that destroyed it.

#bookspinbingo @TheAromaofBooks

DarkMina Loved this book. The Splendid and Vile is on my TBR. (edited) 4y
book_em_danno The Devil in the White City is also very good 4y
TheAromaofBooks Oooo this one sound interesting! 4y
See All 13 Comments
LeslieO I love all his books but my fav is the first one I read. 4y
Eggs @LeslieO Stacked! 4y
Crazeedi @LeslieO @Eggs my favorite of his too, and I've lived them all 4y
Eggs Thanks 🙏🏻 @LeslieO @Crazeedi - I want to read all of them! 4y
Crazeedi @Eggs loved them all, I dont know why every time I go to write love, that live is written instead!! Drives me crazy 4y
LeslieO @Crazeedi @Eggs I know Splendid just came out but I wonder what his next book will be about! 4y
Crazeedi @LeslieO who knows? I'll be excited to see 4y
Eggs @Crazeedi ...it‘s our ‘senior‘ fingers... 4y
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DarkMina
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#windsofmarch #sailaway

Day 5: Sail Away

Eggs Great choice—I recently finished this. Larson writes well! 4y
DarkMina @Eggs I agree! 4y
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Twainy
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Pickpick

🎧📚 Chapters flip between life onboard the Lusitania during its final voyage & life on the german submarine U-20 that sank the ocean liner plus chapters involving President Wilson, Churchill, their personal lives & the aftermath.

This is my favorite Erik Larson book to date & I haven‘t heard Scott Brick narrate in forever so that was unexpectedly comforting.

This is a true story told in novel format. Truly heartbreaking! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️👇🏻

Twainy I had only superficial knowledge of this horrific moment in history before reading this book. I was utterly captivated. It was fascinating told in this novel format. Wonderfully researched, narrated & written book. 4y
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Sharpeipup
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I am about to run out of books so I‘m waiting for the library to open while I listen to an audiobook.

Reviewsbylola Nice! Our library just finally opened for browsing last Monday. The cases in our town are getting high again so I‘ll be surprised if they‘re able to stay open long. 😭 4y
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JanuarieTimewalker13
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Pickpick

WOW!!! I started with audiobook but quickly realized I needed physical copy to roll along with. To say this was EYE opening is an understatement. You just can‘t make this sh$t up. One thing that blew my mind was a Canadian passenger who didn‘t survive the The Lusitania (most DID not), was then sent home as a corpse and the Ship he was on (I think it was the Hesperian) was torpedoed- what?!! Torpedoed in life and death👇🏽

JanuarieTimewalker13 Eric Larson is THE MAN...what research....stunning....I must say, I never had an opinion of Winston Churchill, but now I have a low opinion of him. How he treated Captain Turner was terrible and he was manipulative and a lying rhymes with “lick”. 4y
rubyslippersreads This book was fascinating! I was also surprised at what I learned about Captain von Trapp from The Sound of Music. 4y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @rubyslippersreads Yes!! I have to revisit that...thank goodness he put an index in this book. I think that‘s a part I listened to. 4y
JanuarieTimewalker13 @rubyslippersreads “So that‘s what war looks like!.....we are like highway men sneaking upon an unsuspecting ship in such a cowardly fashion.” On sinking the Leon Gambetta. (edited) 4y
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Susanita
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TBH this week has been a bit...weird. Myspouse is all riled up about politics, the chief of staff messed up my timecard and I can‘t get it fixed, I dumped half my lunch on my brand new pants. BUT I‘m getting ready to go to in-person book club! Social distancing, masks, and outside. I‘ve missed these ladies.

Pharrell‘s “Happy” always makes me think of summer.

#thoughtfulthursday

Klou Good song choice!! 4y
MoonWitch94 Good song! It‘s been a week, hasn‘t it? I‘m ready to say goodbye to this week lol 4y
21 likes2 comments
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OrangeMooseReads
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Pickpick

I only knew passing information about the sinking of the Lusitania so I found this book interesting.
I like Larson‘s way of making non fiction feel like fiction.

JanuarieTimewalker13 I‘m listening to this now, and I was thinking the same thing! 4y
39 likes1 comment
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OrangeMooseReads
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Time for some #audiopuzzle time

43 likes1 comment
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OrangeMooseReads
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Up next

Reagan So good! 5y
Aims42 I really enjoyed this one 👍🏻 Hope you do too!! 5y
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Tonescape
Pickpick

Page-turner

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Kaila-ann
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Pickpick

My first Larson book but certainly not my last. I don‘t know much about WWI but this was a good addition to my knowledge base. Larson writes nonfiction that provides facts in addition to telling a story - the tragedy of the Lusitania and the entrance of America into WWI.

Pictured is the painting “Return of the Mayflower” depicting the US warships sent to patrol British waters after Wilson and America declared war. #nfnov

REPollock I loved his books Thunderstruck and In the Garden of Beasts! 5y
Kaila-ann @REPollock I have 3 more of his on my shelves, I don‘t have In the Garden of Beasts yet tho 🤔. 5y
Reagan He‘s fabulous. In addition to those mentioned about, Devil in the White City and Isaac‘s Storm are both really good. 5y
See All 7 Comments
Kaila-ann @Reagan-reads I actually have both of those and I‘m thinking they will probably get bumped up the TBR list soon 😊. 5y
Clwojick 6pts 5y
REPollock @Kaila-ann Thunderstruck was my ultimate favorite. I gave it to friends for Christmas that year. 5y
Kaila-ann @REPollock I have that one - I‘ll definitely have to bump that one up the list soon. 5y
27 likes7 comments
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Readswithcoffee
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Pickpick

Great audiobook. Larson brings the facts surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania to life. The facts combined with the human element made me care about all the people involved. I found the blame game played by the British Admiralty in the aftermath particularly interesting. If you like history, this book is for you.

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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

Phenomenal! I am always blown away by Larson‘s ability to bring history to life. He places you in the moment and then pulls back so you can see the fullness of the story with all its layers and perspectives. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sapphire I bought this in hardcover when I heard him speak at a festival, and still have not gotten to it or finished Devil... I am awful. 5y
sprainedbrain I think this is my favorite of his books, and I‘ve loved everyone I‘ve read. Bonus that the audio is read by the fabulous Scott Brick. ❤️ 5y
Julsmarshall Not awful, @Sapphire 😄 but you may want to move it up your list! 5y
Julsmarshall @sprainedbrain The audio is amazing! 5y
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