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Wilful Murder

By: Diana Preston
Narrated by: Michael Tudor Barnes
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Summary

On May 7th, 1915 a passenger ship crossing the Atlantic sank with the loss of 1200 lives. On board were some world-famous figures, including multimillionaire Alfred Vanderbilt. But this wasn’t the Titanic and there was no iceberg. The liner was the Lusitania and it was torpedoed by a German U-boat.

Wilful Murder is the hugely compelling story of the sinking of the Lusitania. The first book to look at the events in their full historical context, it is also the first to place the human dimension at its heart. Using first-hand accounts of the tragedy Diana Preston brings the characters to life, recreating the splendour of the liner as it set sail and the horror of its final moments. Using British, American and German research material she answers many of the unanswered and controversial questions surrounding the Lusitania: why didn't Cunard listen to warnings that the ship would be a target of the Germans? Was the Lusitania sacrificed to bring the Americans into the War? What was really in the Lusitania's hold? Was she armed? Had Cunard's offices been infiltrated by German agents? And did the Kaiser's decision to cease unrestricted U-boat warfare in response to international outrage expressed after the sinking effectively change the outcome of the First World War?

Highly readable, highly researched Wilful Murder casts dramatic new light on one of the world's most famous maritime disasters.

©2002 Diana Preston (P)2011 Random House Audiobooks
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History
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What listeners say about Wilful Murder

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Great book

Loved everything about this book and would highly recommend it. Will be happy to listen to it again

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Great book

Beautifully written and read, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it was certainly evocative of the time and place. Thank you for several hours of real enjoyment .

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Fabulous

Terriffic, well-resesrched and amazingly told history. Perfect narrator. This far far exceeded my expectations. Not to be missed!

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Vivid details of passengers scramble to survive

An excellent book, detailed, balanced in views with a multifaceted context. A must read for maritime history and wartime history enthusiasts

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A really interesting tale with only one negative

I thoroughly enjoyed the story, narrated superbly by Michael Tudor Barnes. Not only does it tell the tale of the tragic events of the sinking of the ship but also introduces you to the broad spectrum of passengers and crew aboard the Lusitania, allowing you to get to know them. I also found the background politics as well as the German point of view to be very interesting. The only negative about the book is the music played between chapters which I found a bit monotonous and frustrating as all I wanted to do was to get to the next chapter. That said, it is a minor point and should not stop you from giving the book a listen.

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Thank you

Most grateful that the author has written this very important book. Harrowing at times but a must read for historians and anyone with an interest in detail and fact.

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