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

I love Erik Larson's historical nonfiction books. I finished reading Dead Wake the other day, and it was one of his better ones. 

One thing I really enjoyed was the way Larson delved into the people's lives during this tragedy. For example, President Woodrow Wilson was depressed and then courting a woman he would later marry... that is, he was distracted. 

The British government didn't provide military escorts for the large luxury ocean liner when it entered the channel between Ireland and England. 

So many things happened that could have eliminated or reduced this tragedy.

I don't remember reading about this bit of history before and found it fascinating.


Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania

Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd

I finished Waiting for Sunrise by William Boyd this morning. Yes, it was a good book and with really good ones, I like to read the end during the day while I'm alert. This one was good but the ending left me wondering. It seems like Boyd was messing with me (the reader, not just me) a little with the ending. But I still liked it. A lot.

I had heard of William Boyd but never read any of his books. One of my favorite movies Any Human Heart is based on his book by the same name. I think I'll have to read it now. I like his writing style and have read reviews saying Any Human Heart is one of his best books. I know the movie is fabulous!

This book began in Vienna and ended in England, and chronicles the life of Lysander Rief, an actor turned soldier turned spy. 

Like I said, the ending left me wondering though.

Book Read: Waiting for Sunrise

Author:  William Boyd

ISBN:   978-0-06-187676-9