Larson always does a good job bringing history to life
583376
Intriguing journey into the past. Larson always does a good job bringing history to life. Those were dark days and he portrayed it well.
366216
Erik Larson has done it again. He has written history that reads like a novel and is complete with notes, bibliography, and index. Published to coincide with the 100 year anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania, "Dead Wake" adeptly covers the politics, technical details, and most especially, the humanity of the tragedy. With quickly alternating chapters, the author takes us to London, Washington, New York, Berlin, and most importantly, he places us on board the ship. With the use of primary sources, he produces a narrative that also includes the mission and routine of the German U-Boat responsible for the sinking.
  The Great War was in its first year when the liner sailed from New York; headed for England. The atmosphere in Europe was one of total war while the U.S. maintained neutrality. Larson covers the political decisions made by the leaders of Germany, Britain, and the U.S. so as to afford the reader ample understanding of the circumstances under which the ship sailed. Admittedly, there are times when the narrative is slow in nature and I found myself struggling to turn a page. Some of the details surrounding President Wilson are insignificant to the story and tend to drone on for too long. However, the backgrounds of the passengers and crew members of the Lusitania are well-developed and lead to a much more empathetic reading when the torpedo strikes. It is from this point on that Larson is magnificent. He provides an almost minute-by-minute account of the sinking that is vivid and complete. The story does not end there, however, as Larson follows through with descriptions of the make-shift morgues, accounts of the fate of the passengers, and the placing of blame. Overall, this a truly remarkable account of a truly profound tragedy.
675636
Larson wrote a wonderful historical account of the building of the Chicago worlds fair while giving us an account of the great architects of the day involved in the fair's final inception and structures.  And a great account of the transformation of the city to a world showcase during the Great Depression.  All the major architects were involved.  And yet underlying this massive undertaking was the villian Holmes.  He was a master of the macabre.  People missing, and the worlds fair undertaking masking the priority of potential victims and attention to this serial killer.  All the characters existed, which gives it historical significance.  Larsons writing brings them to life once again.  A terrific book.
2128585
As with several other Erik Larson books, this one is part history, part romance and part thriller. He does a good job of balancing all the characters involved in this very complicated time in history. Using the Dodd family is a great way to try and get an appreciation of what what going on as the Nazi's took more and more power. It was also great to have a University of Wisconsin connection since I teach there and work just a short distance from where much of the information about this time is housed. I wish I had know Larson was here. This has prompted me to go on to learn more about the Rote Kapelle and other resistance movements of the time and to look into the whole issue of the Allies reluctance to believe reports of the horrors that were being perpetrated on everyone who disagreed with the Nazis.
3658777
Fascinating book, with Larson's typical intertwining of technology and history/mystery.  I've read several of his books, and this may be my favorite!
1943420
Once again Erik Larson captures a tumultuous moment in history through the eyes of several participants, taking a well researched -yet-extrapolative approach to building first person accounts that convincingly place the reader in the moment, without erring to far onto the fictitious side of "historical fiction."
Larson trades in 1890's Chicago from his previous work, "Devil in the White City," for the Berlin in the years immediately running up to WWII, focussing on the former Teutophile and reluctant U.S. diplomat serving at the president's behest, Ambassador Dodd, as he watches the country he once studied in and loved fall under the maniacal spell of Hitler and his various cronies. While the ambassador begrudgingly rubs shoulders with some of the centuries most sinister villains, his daughter becomes enthralled by the pomp and circumstance, entertaining suitors from among the ranks of men her father so detests.
The book shines light on a side of Nazi Germany oft unseen: parties, parliamentary sessions, trials, paradesas well as the fledgling diplomatic channels that existed in shadow of Versailles and under the looming clouds of the calamity to come.
As the reader knows how the story ends, a countdown clock of consequence silently ticks with the turning pages, lending the book gravitas throughout.
2513476
As always Alan Furst paints the full Picture taking you to the time and place in history - and a very good stort.
2151816
First of all, I love how Erik Larson artfully weaves a tale of history and fiction.  All of his stories are intelligently written and give us a glimpse of the past through the lense of interesting characters.  This novel is another great example of what he does best.  A great read!
2347934
This is the third Larson book I've read. I enjoyed Devil in the White City and In the Garden of Beasts, but Dead Wake is by far my favorite. It covers the sinking of the Lusitania from many perspectives - the passengers foremost, but also the captain, the Germain U-Boat captain, British intelligence, and President Wilson. Larson is known for looking at history from many angles, and making it come alive. The two other books had parts that were more engaging, and parts that were less. Dead Wake had me engaged from start to end. This book connected me to so many of the people. The time and place came alive. It is history writing at its best.
1257058
Eric Larson does his usual stellar job of mixing in details of this natural disaster while keeping us closely connected to the characters.
3191877
I love the history I learn about in each of Erik Larson's books while at the same time getting involved in a moving and exciting story
3911148
Erik Larson is a master storyteller. This historical novel, reads like a thriller. Well written, superbly told and fascinating. It is enjoyable, educational and historically correct. Highly recommended.
4439944
Story about a family but also about Hitler Germany and evil politicians and one good man trying to deal with the situation.  Very good book worth reading from cover to cover.  Made me decide to read the remaining Larson books.
4338750
Eric Larson has managed to create a compelling non-fiction story of the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair and the gruesome murders that took place at the same time a few blocks away. Larson's work is an easy read that is extremely interesting as well as well-researched. The 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair was an event that at the time was viewed as one of the most important in our nation's history, but as since become more or less a footnote to the splendor the Guilded Age. Larson's book sheds light on this forgotten event, giving us details on the building of the fair as well as once it opened. Larson also gives his reader's the story of H.H. Holmes, who he bills as the first "modern" urban serial murderer. Holmes' story is an interesting juxtoposition to the splendor and innovation happening at the fair. I suppose in the end, we can never really escape the basest of human activities no matter how many inventions we invent or how big we build our buildings. The only fault I have with this book is its lack of illustrations. A better detailed map of the Fair, a map of Chicago in 1893 and some photos of the Fair would have been good reference points. But otherwise, I throughly good read!
1754016
Two things led to my interest in the history of trans ocean passenger ships: research of passenger logs during an ancestry search, and the movie "Titanic".  Having read most of Erik Larson's intensively researched books, it was not a question of would I read "Dead Wake", but when, and in what format.  This story did not disappoint.  Can't wait to see what he's working on next.
3504486
I enjoy how Conn Iggulden  includes factual history in his novels and his discription of people and places makes it easy to imagine the people and areas, also the battles ,seem to come to life.
4915203
I'm a big fan of Larson.  His novels blend interesting characters and interesting plots with with action.  This novel is no exception.