Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania | Erik Larson | Talks at Google

#1 New York Times bestselling author and master of narrative nonfiction Erik Larson visits Google to talk about his latest book, "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania." The book tells the enthralling story of the sinking of the Lusitania, published to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the disaster.

[@maryconneely4536]

I am almost finished this book, I cannot put it down. It is so well researched and is formulated in such a way that the facts about the event stay in the mind. My grandmother was Irish and 21 yrs old when it happened. She spoke of it often. For her, it was the single biggest tragedy among countless tragedies of the Great War. Her view, commonly held in her society was, that it was far worse than the sinking of the Titanic.

[@gwyneth7812]

Mary Conneely My grandfather was also 21 when it happened, he used to talk to me about it too. His father was one of the helmsmen on the ship and lost his life when it sank. I went over a few weeks ago for the commemorations. I have to say the Irish did such amazing memorial events (all over south Ireland) that were so honouring of the event and for the people, I am very grateful. I managed to get out and right above the ship at the time of the sinking, which I was also very grateful and appreciative of. Thank you Ireland.

[@maryconneely4536]

I am so pleased that this event was commemorated in the way it was. The Lusitania was airbrushed from our history for so long it is great to see that there has been some effort to bring it to the fore. I am delighted that your trip here was a success and that you were able to be part of the Lusitania 100th anniversary.

[@Criscosta]

I just ended the reading of "The Splendid and the Vile" (today is February 18th, 2021) and I can already assure you: this book will be between my BEST readings of the year! I want to read everything Erik Larson already wrote. Great great book!! Greeting from Rio, BRAZIL.

[@johncollins9592]

I love Larson's books

[@rebeccagable9629]

"Devil in the White City" is one of the best books I've ever read. "Dead Calm" is fascinating, too!

[@gwyneth7812]

14.11 It is my understanding/conclusion for the reason for the 'Plot', is because Britain was not doing too well in the war and JP Morgan had lent Britain tonnes of money. If Britain lost the war, he would lose that money. If however they could get the US in the war (by killing a few of their civilians) he would not only be assured of getting his money back he would make more out of selling arms to the U.S. too. I understand that he made billions out of WW1. 'All wars are bankers wars' they say.

[@rebeccagable9629]

I would love to see him research Lizzie Borden (she has been written about so much, but I think he would have a fresh approach).

[@Jay-fv7im]

My great great grand mother died after falling out of a life boat on the lucitania

[@mikihunga3081]

....And i cannot wait for the New Making of this Movie now; based on Larson's Book

[@CaesarInVa]

Great video. Thank you for posting. I have one quick question that perhaps you could answer for me. According to some documentaries I've seen, it seems that on May 6th, the day before her loss, the Lusitania received two radio warnings, one from the British admiralty and the other from the ship's owners, indicating submarine activity in the vicinity of The Head of Kinsale and Fastnet Rock. Both of these locations were in the area through which Lusitania would have to sail the next day in its transit to Liverpool. In response to the warnings, Captain Tuner set extra lookouts on the night of the 6th, darkened ship at sundown and closed all water-tight doors below the ship's waterline. According to one documentary, the Lusitania's loss is attributable to flooding throughout the ship, but if Captain Turner set a condition of watertight compartmentalization on the evening before the torpedo attack, how did water spread from the torpedoed compartment to the others??? Did he order the watertight doors opened at daybreak? I'm curious. Usually, as a matter of precaution, ships close all watertight doors below the waterline (known in the Navy as Material Condition X-Ray)when they are entering or departing confined areas, such as shipping channels, ports and harbors, as a precautionary measure in the event of collision with another vessel. I would have thought, given the Lusitania's proximity to St. George's Channel (which is the southern entry to the Irish Sea) at the time of her sinking, that Captain Turner would have at the very least set a state of minimal watertight compartmentalization as they neared the channel, even in the absence of the submarine warnings.

[@rebeccagable9629]

You must read the book!

[@ronaldschultenover8137]

One torpedo would not normally sink a liner why were portholes and water tight doors open

[@mikihunga3081]

Understandable that there should be anger at the British and talks of criminal ignorance by them for not providing some level of shielding & safety.

[@rebeccagable9629]

Yep!

[@rosesandsongs21]

Munitions?

[@KiwiSentinel]

The only negative was the inordinate focus on President Wilson's private life. Seemed irrelevant to me.

[@TheRamboBeast]

Why do authors go talk to Google employees?

[@TheRamboBeast]

+TheRamboBeast I'm guessing they're paid?

[@manuelkong10]

take as little Xanax as possible, that stuff can be Dangerous

[@diggLincoln]

So much bs