S4E9: Jake Tapper and the Sinking of the Lusitania

Dead Wake recounts the tragedy of the sinking of the passenger ocean liner Lusitania by a German submarine. The book sets the stage for the tragedy, recreating the tension of the chase, the horror of the attack, and the tragic aftermath. Larson masterfully weaves together the stories of the passengers, crew, and the German U-boat crew, using a wealth of sources including telegrams, wireless messages, survivor depositions, and secret intelligence ledgers. The sinking of the Lusitania had a significant impact on history, mobilizing American public opinion in favor of entering World War I and casting Germany as the villain in the eyes of the international community.

The novel is narrated by Paul Bäumer, a young German soldier who enlists in the army along with his classmates. It vividly depicts the horrors of trench warfare, the disillusionment with patriotic ideals, and the psychological toll of war on the soldiers. The book follows Paul's experiences from the brutal training to the front lines, where he witnesses the death of his friends and grapples with the meaninglessness of war. The novel is a powerful anti-war statement, highlighting the futility and devastating consequences of war on individuals and society.

This book is a collection of essays by David Foster Wallace, published in 1997. The title essay, 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I’ll Never Do Again,' chronicles Wallace’s experience on a seven-night Caribbean luxury cruise, dissecting the indulgences and the hollow promise of pampering. The collection also includes influential essays such as 'E Unibus Pluram,' which examines television’s impact on contemporary literature and the use of irony in American culture. Wallace’s writing is characterized by his wit, extensive use of footnotes, and profound insights into various aspects of American life and culture.