March 2016 Host:  Nancy

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

Summary

This is a gripping historical account written to commemorate the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania, a Cunard passenger liner sunk by a German U-boat.  The sinking of the Lusitania ended the lives of over 1,000 people and helped change America’s neutral position in World War I, although it did take two more years for America to declare war on Germany.  At the helm of the enormous ship was the experienced Captain Turner.  There were 192 furnaces with 100 stokers working each shift, shoveling 1,000 tons of coal per day, which contributed to the Lusitania’s reputation of being the fastest ship at the time.  We become privy to what it was like strolling the decks and socializing in the staterooms and saloons on the Lusitania.   Larson’s buildup to the eventual sinking of the Lusitania is intense and the ship goes down in 18 minutes.  There is no dead space as Larson describes the passengers and crew on that fateful day in 1915. The story is also set in a German Submarine U-20 (Larson describes in detail the stifling odors and the ever present danger of dying at the bottom of the sea), in the British intelligence room 40, and in President Wilson’s lovelorn white house.   This book is well researched and Erik Larson does an excellent job of portraying the events around World War I.  This is a highly recommended read.   

Menu

Salad

Green Beans

Scalloped Potatoes

Ham

Butter Braid