From the author of Crossed Over; another masterful account of a horrible crime: the murder of four girls; countless other ruined lives; and the evolving complications of the justice system that frustrated the massive attempts--for twenty-five years now--to find and punish those who committed it.The facts are brutally straightforward. On December 6; 1991; the naked; bound-and-gagged bodies of the four girls--each one shot in the head--were found in an I Can't Believe It's Yogurt! shop in Austin; Texas. Grief; shock; and horror spread out from their families and friends to overtake the city itself. Though all branches of law enforcement were brought to bear; the investigation was often misdirected and after eight years only two men (then teenagers) were tried; moreover; their subsequent convictions were eventually overturned; and Austin PD detectives are still working on what is now a very cold case. Over the decades; the story has grown to include DNA technology; false confessions; and other developments facing crime and punishment in contemporary life. But this story belongs to the scores of people involved; and from them Lowry has fashioned a riveting saga that reads like a Russian novel; comprehensive and thoroughly engrossing.
#5280 in Books Erik Larson 2016-03-22 2016-03-22Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.98 x 1.04 x 5.17l; .0 #File Name: 0307408876480 pagesDead Wake The Last Crossing of the Lusitania
Review
464 of 485 people found the following review helpful. The Mystery of Room 40 and the Sinking of HumanityBy IsolaBlueErik Larson is not capable of writing anything less than a gripping account of history. All of his previous books have been spellbinding accounts of storms; cities; crimes; inventions; ships and/or war. In DEAD WAKE: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania; Larson returns to the subjects of war and ships and stirs in a potent mixture of international politics as well as a little romance to once again seduce his readers with a contemporary view of an historical situation.Written to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Lusitania; a Cunard passenger liner sunk by a German U-Boat; Larson's account differs in several ways from other well-known books produced on the subject. Diana Preston's LUSITANIA: An Epic Tragedy; published in 2002; is one of the best-written accounts of the disaster. The difference between Preston's work and Larson's might be found in the subtitle of the Larson book which emphasizes the crossing while Preston's book is most memorable for its account of the sinking and its aftermath; particularly accounts of survival. No one can read Preston's book without feeling as if he/she is clinging to a piece of wreckage in a cold; spring sea awaiting rescue. No one can read Larson's book and not feel like the proverbial fly on the wall in the infamous Room 40 of the British Admiralty. While Preston addressed Room 40; in Larson's writing; the room takes on a role and becomes a character (albeit not a very appealing one) in its own right.Larson skillfully gets into the mindset of Winston Churchill and how determined he was to see America enter the war. In the States; Larson goes back in time and brings President Woodrow Wilson to life through a love affair that seemed to take up more of his time than thinking about the suitability of America's neutrality. Yet Larson allows readers to see Wilson in a most human light; perhaps the love affair gave him the strength for the decisions he had to make later. While the reader feels a connection with Wilson and also with the much-maligned but ultimately blameless Captain of the Lusitania; Captain Turner; utter horror and strong dislike is brought out when we read about Captain Schwieger of U-Boat 20 and; in a strange way; perhaps even more when we examine the real-life characters and goings-on within the Admiralty's Room 40. Germany and Britain both emerge as more than a bit despicable.The pluses of Larson's latest work are his acute examination of Room 40; his up-close look at Woodrow Wilson; and his ability to swing between the behind-the-scenes action and balance his discoveries with a conventional but absorbing look at some of the passengers on board the Lusitania all while building a true and terrifying suspense in the narrative. His profile of Charles Lauriat; Boston bookseller and collector of rare documents and drawings; is excellent. One senses that Larson was truly interested in Lauriat and might; having not been faced with producing a book to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Lusitania's sinking; have chosen Lauriat as a sole subject for a book or article.Erik Larson can never disappoint. Whether one reads a great deal about WWI history; maritime disasters; or early 1900s international politics; there is something new to be learned in DEAD WAKE. For those who have read very little about the Lusitania; this book is an excellent starting point. As mentioned before; Diana Preston's LUSITANIA: An Epic Tragedy tells a similar story but with a slightly different approach. Both books have something to offer; but Larson's; being newer; may include some fresh revelations about the history we thought we knew.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Two Years of Research Was Well Worth the EffortBy Bill EmblomAuthor Erik Larson spent two years researching information on the sinking of the Lusitania and it shows in this very detailed telling of this period in American history. President Woodrow was fighting depression due to the death of his wife and now has found a new love to revive his spirits. Author Lawson introduces the reader to several passengers who will make this fateful trip from New York to Liverpool; England; and I must admit; that this became somewhat tedious reading at times. Nevertheless; I count this as my problem and not the author's.I appreciate having a map of the Ireland; England; and Wales; area inside the front and back cover with key cities and water bodies labeled so I can see where the attack on the Lusitania took place. Author Larson introduces Walther Schwieger the German submarine commander and a combination of a series of events takes place that make it possible for an attack on the Lusitania. Great detail is provided regarding passengers while trying to survive while in the water waiting rescue. This information; like all of the book is based on information Larson found in his research. Questions regarding where to assign blame and why wasn't the ship escorted in these dangerous waters is also dealt with.If you enjoy American history this book should be a part of your library.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Well written and very informativeBy Ambrose RankinDead Wake is a very well written story of the Lusitania's last voyage. Larson provides a good overview of the events; essentially weaving together four stories - three of which were fascinating.Most of the book tells the stories of a select group of crew and passengers who sailed on that voyage (selected based on people for whom information was available - I assume). This was interesting though it dragged on a bit (onboard activities were somewhat predictable if you've seen "Titanic" - drinking and dining; some gambling and; ooh; look at the stark class distinctions). He also describes the voyage and crew of the u-boat that ultimately sinks the Lusitania. I found this more interesting and the best part of the book for me - maybe because it was an area I knew less about. Larson gives a great description of the engineering of the u-boats. State of the art at the time; but we would view them as quite primitive . Third; the actions of British Intelligence (including a younger Churchill) is also very interesting - did they allow Lusitania to sail into harm's way to encourage the US to enter the war? Finally; he includes a lot about the concurrent activity of President Wilson who was courting his second wife during the same week that the Lusitania was sunk. I found this somewhat off topic and distracting.All in all; I would recommend this for anyone interested in learning about a very fateful event.
