Pre-Owned Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania is a gripping blend of history and personal stories from bestselling author Erik Larson. This book dives deep into the tragic sinking of the Lusitania on May 1, 1915, during World War I, when a luxurious liner set sail from New York to Liverpool filled with numerous children and infants. Despite warnings and the tension in the air from German U-boats terrorizing the North Atlantic, passengers maintained a sense of peace. Captain William Thomas Turner believed that established rules of warfare would protect civilian ships like the Lusitania. However, Germany aimed to change these rules, and U-boat Captain Walther Schwieger was ready to strike.

As the two vessels moved closer, a secret British intelligence unit monitored the U-boat's movements but kept this information hidden. The convergence of many factors—pride, an unexpected fog, and the secrets being kept—led to one of history's greatest maritime disasters. Larson not only tells the story of the sinking but also paints a broader picture of America during the Progressive Era, introducing readers to a cast of significant figures, including the noted bookseller Charles Lauriat, pioneering architect Theodate Pope, and President Woodrow Wilson, who dealt with personal grief amid a nation on the brink of war. Dead Wake is a captivating account that uncovers the gripping drama and emotional weight of a pivotal moment in history, revealing layers of truth often overlooked. This compelling narrative stands as a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and has been recognized as one of the Best Books of the Year by several prominent publications.