For readers interested in naval history, the story of the Titanic holds a special place, and many volumes have been published. With this book, however, David Dyer has shed light on a facet of this tragedy that has been somewhat overlooked. His adept combination of factual data, literary references, extensive research, and riveting prose has resulted in a volume that is truly compelling throughout. I won't hesitate to select this book as 'my selection' for our next book club meeting! Mr. Dyer has indeed given us ...."the rest of the story" (as newsman Paul Harvey used to say).

The tragedy of the Titanic has long fascinated people around the world. What many don't realize is that 3 years later an equally tragic nautical disaster befell the Lusitania, pride of the Cunard line. While naiveté played a large part in the Titanic story, hubris played an equally contributory part in the fate of the Lusitania. Authors King and Wilson have done a wonderful job of introducing the reader to the circumstances and the individuals involved in this drama, then following the fateful cruise to its tragic end. The narrative is riveting and well-paced throughout, and the analysis of the tragedy is thorough and thought-provoking. In short, I couldn't put it down until I had read it all.