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Dead Wake--Concluded.

Not surprisingly, the section dealing with the sinking is riveting.  Capt. Turner blamed by many in England, including Churchill, but exonerated (rightly, Larson argues) by two courts of law.  German U-boat has luck on its side--Lusitania turns to give perfect shot.  Lusitania is carrying some munitions--but hard not to look on this as, by today's vocabulary, a terrorist act by a state.  1200 dead; 750 survivors.  125 Americans dead.

Children roaming the deck when torpedo hits--parents frantic to find them.  Life jackets kept in rooms; people don't know how to put them on.  Crew of limited skill--best British crewmen are in the Navy. Calm seas keep death toll down.  Any kind of storm and many more would have died.

America doesn't immediately enter the war.  Wilson still tries to find way to keep USA out. Churchill angry--by trying to save lives, Wilson allowed more lives to be lost.  More sinkings bring more verbal protests from Wilson--but still no declaration of war.

Zimmerman telegraph message intercepted.  German offers alliance with Mexico promising to return to Mexico the states of Texas, New Mexico, etc. to the Mexicans after the defeat of the Americans.  This finally pushes Wilson to declare war.

Excellent book--perfect of blend of research and narrative.

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