His saga of the chicago worlds fair of 1893, the devil in the white city, was a finalist for the national book award, and won an edgar award for factcrime writing, and lingered on various nyt. Since then, the concept has spread across the united states and around the world. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on dead wake by erik larson. Author erik larson reads from his latest book, dead wake. The sinking of the lusitania is a story that many of us think we know but dont, 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. These discussion questions will inspire a lively conversation and enrich your own reading experience. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the disaster and larson had us riveted.
The last crossing of the lusitania, with wsjs jennifer maloney at a recent. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. Readers guide for dead wake by erik larson read it forward. The bestselling author of the devil in the white city and thunderstruck puts his mastery of penning parallel narratives on display as he tells the tale of the sinking of the lusitania. A discussion is dead wake by erik larson, the rbooks bookclub selection for april.
The last crossing of the lusitania erik larson deftly narrates the illfated voyage, noting how crew and passengers largely ignored the explicit warning issued by the german embassy. He speaks with chicago tribune reporter rick kogan. The last crossing of the lusitania by erik larson includes detailed chapter summaries and analysis covering 54 chapters, as well as several more indepth sections of expertwritten literary analysis. Full of glamour, mystery, and reallife suspense, dead wake brings to life a cast of evocative characters, from famed boston bookseller charles lauriat to pioneering female architect theodate pope riddle to president wilson, a man lost to grief, dreading the widening war. This is dead wake trailer by ricardo temporao on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Ala 2016 notable books list years best in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry named by rusa readers advisory experts. Dead wake by erik larson tells the story of a fabulous steamship, the lusitania. Erik larsons dead wake weaves a tense tale of the sinking. The last crossing of the lusitania is a 2015 new york times nonfiction bestseller written by author erik larson. After reading dead wake, what was your impression of captain turner. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. The last crossing of the lusitania by erik larson is not recommended reading while on your cruise.
The last crossing of the lusitania, with wsjs jennifer maloney at a. Dead wake book pima county public library bibliocommons. From the 2015 chicago tribune printers row lit fest, erik larson talks about his book, dead wake. Dead wake by erik larson is a nonfiction account of the german unterseeboot, or uboat, sinking of lusitania, a british merchant vessel belonging to cunard line, on may 7, 1915 and its aftermath on the night of may 6, 1915, captain william thomas reassured the passengers in the firstclass lounge as the ship. Aug 11, 2016 dead wake discussion questions litlovers. Bill firstenberger joins gail martin for a discussion about lew wallace and benhur. Erik larson reads from new book, dead wake youtube.
Buffalo news larson, who was once described as an historian with a novelists soul, has written a book which combines the absorbing tenor of fiction with the realities of history. Dead wake discussion questions litlovers with images. Dead wake by erik larson overdrive rakuten overdrive. Erik larson on the lusitania, suspenseful nonfiction and. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides for challenging works of literature. Renowned author erik larson discusses his new book dead wake. The last crossing of the lusitania, about the sinking of the british ocean liner by a german uboat in 1915 and the influence of the event on america. Head over to from left to write members sites to join our book club discussion of dead wake as they share their stories inspired by the book. Larson breathes life into narrative history like few writers working today. Teaching dead wake to your high school students can provide a fascinating exploration of history and intrigue. The last crossing of the lusitania, about the sinking of the british ocean liner by a german uboat in. Dead wake the last crossing of the lusitania is a surprisingly well crafted retelling of a known event. A tale of two captains on a tragic journey in dead wake march 10, 2015 erik larsons new book about the sinking of the liner lusitania by a german uboat in 1915 brings the past stingingly.
Taylor at the quiet moments is thinking about the importance of. Dead wake by erik larson follows the tragic journey of the lusitania, the fastest passenger ship at the time in the early 1900s. Erik larson has spent much of his career writing about historys unlikely intersections, but none of these have been as dramatic as the convergence he tackles in dead wake. The book looks at the sinking of lusitania during world war i and the events surrounding the sinking. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. A discussion is dead wake by erik larson, the rbooks. This study guide consists of approximately 53 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of dead wake.
It was called the magnificent ship standing seven stories from dock to bridge and consuming coal at a rate of 140 tons a day while just standing still. The last crossing of the lusitania, which became an immediate new york times bestseller. The fact a german uboat sank the lusitania off the coast. Use my list to save your favorite shows and videos for later. Seattle librarian, nancy pearl, author of book lust and more book lust, and npr book critic, is the mastermind behind the one city, one book phenomenon. On may 1st, 1915 the lusitania set sail on its final voyage. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. To order a copy of dead wake, visit or your favorite online retailer.
Usually i include a warning about spoilers in this thread but since this is nonfiction abou actual events ill leave that out. What did you know about the lusitania before reading the book. Now larson is swept up in a new, lifeanddeath historical drama. Despite knowing the outcome the loss of nearly 1,200 souls at the hands of a german uboat in the spring of 1917 larson keeps pulling the reader along. Erik larsons dead wake, about the lusitania the new. Thus charles lauriat, a boston rare book dealer, comes aboard with a. Erik larsons new book about the sinking of the liner lusitania by a german uboat in 1915 brings the past stingingly alive. The last crossing of the lusitania by erik larson online at alibris. Erik larsons latest work of narrative nonfiction is dead wake. Dead wake brings to life a cast of evocative characters from famed boston bookseller charles lauriat to pioneering female architect theodate pope to. If dead wake is not by larsons standards a great book, it is an entertaining book about a great subject, and it will do much to make this seismic event resonate for new generations of. Who issued the announcement warning lusitania passengers to change their plans and. In her latest, new yorker staff writer orlean rin tin tin.
Reviewer jean zimmerman calls dead wake thrilling, dramatic and powerful. In his note to readers, erik larson writes that before researching dead wake, he thought he knew everything there was to know about the sinking of the lusitania, but soon realized how wrong he was. That is what separates this book from a history book that just describes the sinking. 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. An engaging, casual history of librarians and libraries and a famous one that burned down.
Dead wake is deeply engaging, very hard to put down, and larsons writing respectfully puts the spotlight back on the tragic story of the lusitania for its 100th anniversary. A gripping account of history that puts a human face on the tragedy story. Spoiler alertthe luxury liner lusitania took its last voyage in may 1915 this book tells the story of the lusitanias voyage from new york to. Dead wake stands on its own as a gripping recounting of an episode that still has the power to haunt a reader 100 years later. Erik larson revisits the lusitania tragedy usa today.