Jason's Reading (books by Erik Larson)

Another interesting, well-told bit of history. Growing up in the United States, I of course learned about the Civil War, but never with this kind of depth. Larson makes the lead-up to the war interesting, understandable, and personal. His portrayal of some of the characters is a bit caricature-esque, focused on only a few aspects of their personality, but on the whole the book feels like a credible recounting of a time that we would do well to remember; the antagonism and unwillingness to understand the “other” are eerily reminiscent of our modern political situation.

This book was an interesting and harrowing read. Larson tells the story of the Lusitania’s final voyage well, including plenty of backstory while also keeping things moving. I was intrigued throughout, and the weight of the tragedy makes me grateful for the relatively peaceful times in which I live.