RMS Lusitania, with thanks from Wikipedia

Battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815.  Sinking of RMS LUSITANIA — 7 May 1915.  Historical anniversaries inspire new television documentaries as well as the creation of nonfiction books.  Librarian, Nancy Fort, has her review on a new book by author, Erik Larson on the sinking of this famous ship.

I generally read fiction but every once in a while a non-fiction title comes along that catches my eye.   I was motivated to read Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania for two reasons.  It takes place during the early years of World War I (the same time period as Downton Abbey when it began) and it is written by Erik Larson who excels at recreating historic events with a narrative tone.   I read Devil in the White City by Larson and was shocked at the events that took place during the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. The book read like a novel.

Dead Wake gives a thorough account of the sinking of the Lusitania but it lacks the finesse of a novel. The book presents the event from American, British and German viewpoints. Testimony and correspondence from survivors, witnesses, Cunard officials and British intelligence officers provide lots of detail about the event. As I was returning the book to the shelf in the library I noticed another new book about the Lusitania. It is the 100^th anniversary of the event so I am not surprised that there are more books coming out right now. If you want to take a look at other non-fiction titles, go to the BCLS website, Non-fiction Picks for suggestions.

The library will be closed on Friday, July 3rd for Independence Day.

Librarian, Nancy Fort, has reviewed two new books that just arrived via the library’s McNaughton new book collection.  The McNaughton collection, located near the front of the library in the browsing shelving section, is a rotating collection of books based upon The New York Times Best Sellers Fiction and Non-Fiction list as well as some and popular DVD titles.  This service is exclusively paid for by the RFL Association through donations made to it’s Annual Appeal.

Image, with thanks from NPR

Kate Atkinson’s A God in Ruins:  The stunning companion to Kate Atkinson’s #1 bestseller Life After Life, “one of the best novels I’ve read this century” (Gillian Flynn). “He had been reconciled to death during the war and then suddenly the war was over and there was a next day and a next day. Part of him never adjusted to having a future.” Kate Atkinson’s dazzling Life After Life explored the possibility of infinite chances and the power of choices, following Ursula Todd as she lived through the turbulent events of the last century over and over again. A GOD IN RUINS tells the dramatic story of the 20th Century through Ursula’s beloved younger brother Teddy–would-be poet, heroic pilot, husband, father, and grandfather-as he navigates the perils and progress of a rapidly changing world. After all that Teddy endures in battle, his greatest challenge is living in a future he never expected to have. An ingenious and moving exploration of one ordinary man’s path through extraordinary times, A GOD IN RUINS proves once again that Kate Atkinson is one of the finest novelists of our age.

Image, with thanks Simon & Schuster

David McCullough’s The Wright Brothers: A New York Times Bestselling Author and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize, David McCullough tells the dramatic story-behind-the-story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly.Far more than a couple of unschooled Dayton bicycle mechanics who happened to hit on success, Wilbur and Orville Wright were men of exceptional courage and determination, and of far-ranging intellectual interests and ceaseless curiosity. David McCullough draws on the immense riches of the Wright Papers to tell the human side of the story, including the little-known contributions of their sister, Katharine.