Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson
Nonfiction

With his trademark flair for storytelling, the author of The Devil in the White City takes us aboard the ill-fated Lusitania on her final voyage. Erik Larson infuses the story with suspense by alternating between the action on the Lusitania and the U-boat that sunk her. His detailed look at various passengers’ stories brings an intimacy to the narrative, which further deepens the sense of tragedy. In addition to showing life at sea, the book delivers views of Woodrow Wilson as he navigates the political situation regarding World War I (and woos his second wife). A big, multi-faceted, remarkable true story, well told.