Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Walker & Company (2002), Edition: First, Hardback, 544 pages
Description
An account of the 1915 sinking of the Lusitania offers a portrait of early twentieth-century maritime history and the terrible impact of the disaster on the course of World War I.
User reviews
LibraryThing member tymfos
"Lusitania: An Epic Tragedy," by Diana Preson, is a thouroughly impressive book -- one of those rare volumes that combines meticulous scholarly research with a highly readable writing style. This book is a stunning account of a massive, heart-rending tragedy which probably altered the course of a
In the first section, "Troubled Waters," Preson sets the scene with relevant background information, acquainting the reader with basic information about WWI, the navies of Germany and Britain (especially their respective submarine fleets), trans-Atlantic passenger service in general, and the massive ocean liner Lusitania in particular. The writing is accessible to those of us with limited knowledge of these subjects, but includes nuggets that more informed readers will surely treasure.
Part two, "The Final Crossing," begins with a warning from Germany which appeared in newspapers just before the great ship sailed. Preston then carries us across the Atlantic with the Lusitania, introducing the reader to some of her passengers and crew. More ominously, we are taken aboard the U-20 to meet the captain and some crew memebers of the submarine which will fire the fatal torpedo.
"An Ocean Red with Blood" is Preston's title for Part 3 -- an apt description of the scene of the disaster after the torpedo hits the great ocean liner. One of Preson's strengths as a writer is the skillful use of quotations, and it is especially effective as we hear the actual words of survivors and witnesses describing the chaos which attended the sinking of the ship and the rescue and recovery efforts.
Preson then analyzes the effect of the sinking upon world opinion and the outcome of WWI, as recruiting posters trumpeted "Remember the Lusitania" and the German government scrambled to do damage control. Finally, Preston tackles the question: under international law of the time, was the torpedoing of Lusitania, indeed, "Wilful Murder?" (It may seem obvious, but there are complex factors to be considered.)
I highly recommend this book.
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World War.In the first section, "Troubled Waters," Preson sets the scene with relevant background information, acquainting the reader with basic information about WWI, the navies of Germany and Britain (especially their respective submarine fleets), trans-Atlantic passenger service in general, and the massive ocean liner Lusitania in particular. The writing is accessible to those of us with limited knowledge of these subjects, but includes nuggets that more informed readers will surely treasure.
Part two, "The Final Crossing," begins with a warning from Germany which appeared in newspapers just before the great ship sailed. Preston then carries us across the Atlantic with the Lusitania, introducing the reader to some of her passengers and crew. More ominously, we are taken aboard the U-20 to meet the captain and some crew memebers of the submarine which will fire the fatal torpedo.
"An Ocean Red with Blood" is Preston's title for Part 3 -- an apt description of the scene of the disaster after the torpedo hits the great ocean liner. One of Preson's strengths as a writer is the skillful use of quotations, and it is especially effective as we hear the actual words of survivors and witnesses describing the chaos which attended the sinking of the ship and the rescue and recovery efforts.
Preson then analyzes the effect of the sinking upon world opinion and the outcome of WWI, as recruiting posters trumpeted "Remember the Lusitania" and the German government scrambled to do damage control. Finally, Preston tackles the question: under international law of the time, was the torpedoing of Lusitania, indeed, "Wilful Murder?" (It may seem obvious, but there are complex factors to be considered.)
I highly recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member Meggo
Well written, well researched. Reading this book took on a rhythm all its own, and I loathed to put it down.
LibraryThing member Marlene-NL
This was a very interesting book. I liked that the writer was able to provide us with details of the survivors but also that we got to know the people that died. So many. The way Britain, America and Germany played a role in all of this is also an eye opener.
I do not understand why there is always
I do not understand why there is always
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so much talk about The Titanic. To me this tragedy was even worse. All the babies that died, and the boats that they tried to pull to the sea but in the meantime crashing and killing people. It was not a quick read for me (I although i admit I must guess when i finished it, did not keep track of my reading lately) Show Less
LibraryThing member cfk
"Lusitania" was heavy on research and background material which made it slow going. I learned way more about the history and development of submarines and torpedoes than I cared to know. Preston's development of characters was excellent, as was her descriptions of the sinking and the aftermath for
The stupidity of the cruise line and captain were appalling. They seemed to have learned nothing from the sinking of the Titanic and assumed that their ship was too fast to be hit and, if hit, would be slow in sinking, allowing everyone to be evacuated. There were no realistic drills for the crew and none at all for the passengers. Consequently, their inability to successfully lower the life boats was complicated by the ship's list and continuing speed.
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the survivors.The stupidity of the cruise line and captain were appalling. They seemed to have learned nothing from the sinking of the Titanic and assumed that their ship was too fast to be hit and, if hit, would be slow in sinking, allowing everyone to be evacuated. There were no realistic drills for the crew and none at all for the passengers. Consequently, their inability to successfully lower the life boats was complicated by the ship's list and continuing speed.
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LibraryThing member SeriousGrace
1915 - the year when everyone was in competition to see who could build the biggest, the fastest, the safest, the most stylish luxury ocean liner on the Atlantic. In the meantime, war was underway so another group was trying to build the fastest, the safest, the most stealthy and deadly underwater
I enjoyed Preston's Lusitania so much I sought out documentaries about the May 7th, 1915 sinking to learn more.
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vessel called a U-boat. On May 7th, 1915 these two ocean vehicles would come together and make controversial history and spark one of World War I's biggest mysteries. In 1915 the British vessel the Lusitania was the fastest passenger liner on the ocean. It was rumored to be able to outrun any U-boat enemy. However, what is fascinating about Diana Preston's version of events is the amount of suspense she builds in the telling. I found myself questioning what I would do if I was set to board a British passenger ship, knowing full well its country was at war and the enemy had just issued a warning to passengers (to me!) stating they would attack my mode of transportation. In addition, I had options. There were neutral American boats going the same way.I enjoyed Preston's Lusitania so much I sought out documentaries about the May 7th, 1915 sinking to learn more.
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Subjects
Awards
Booklist Editor's Choice: Adult Books (History — 2002)
Notable Books List (2003)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2002
Physical description
544 p.; 6.64 inches
ISBN
0802713750 / 9780802713759