Dead Wake: The Last Crossing Of The Lusitania

Erik Larson structures his narrative in short sections, each describing events in a different setting. Why does Larson structure the narrative in this way? How does it help him to narrate the story of the Lusitania?

At the end of the book, Larson suggests that the British Admiralty may have intentionally left the Lusitania unprotected, hoping that an attack on the ship would push the United States to enter the war. Do you agree with Larson’s argument? What evidence in the book supports or disputes this claim?

Throughout the book, Larson insists that the Lusitania’s sinking was only due to the “convergence of disparate [historical] forces” (117). What are some of these forces? Choose three and describe how they led to the Lusitania’s eventual sinking.

Throughout Dead Wake, Larson frequently describes short anecdotes from the lives of passengers on the ship. How does Larson use these passengers’ stories to shape the narrative arc of the entire book?

In Dead Wake, each of the major characters—William Turner, Walther Schwieger, Woodrow Wilson, and Winston Churchill—face moments of crisis. Compare how at least two of these characters each deal with crisis.

Throughout most of Dead Wake, Woodrow Wilson is adamant that the United States will remain neutral and not join World War I. What factors influence Wilson’s position? Was Wilson’s decision to remain neutral just?

Erik Larson makes frequent use of foreshadowing. Choose three instances of foreshadowing in Dead Wake. What effect do these instances have on the reader? How do they help Larson tell the story of the Lusitania?

Larson argues that the British Admiralty could have taken numerous steps to protect the Lusitania and ensure its safe journey. What are some of these steps? Would they have successfully protected the Lusitania? Why or why not?