Death in the Baltic: The World War II Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff - Rilegato

Prince, Cathryn J.

Rilegato

ISBN 10: 023034156X ISBN 13: 9780230341562

Casa editrice: St Martins Pr, 2013

Riassunto

The worst maritime disaster ever occurred during World War II, when more than 9,000 German civilians drowned. It went unreported.

January 1945: The outcome of World War II has been determined. The Third Reich is in free fall as the Russians close in from the east. Berlin plans an eleventh-hour exodus for the German civilians trapped in the Red Army's way. More than 10,000 women, children, sick, and elderly pack aboard the Wilhelm Gustloff, a former cruise ship. Soon after the ship leaves port and the passengers sigh in relief, three Soviet torpedoes strike it, inflicting catastrophic damage and throwing passengers into the frozen waters of the Baltic.

More than 9,400 perished in the night—six times the number lost on the Titanic. Yet as the Cold War started no one wanted to acknowledge the sinking. Drawing on interviews with survivors, as well as the letters and diaries of those who perished, award-wining author Cathryn Prince reconstructs this forgotten moment in history. She weaves these personal narratives into a broader story, finally giving this WWII tragedy its rightful remembrance.

Su questo libro

Recensione:

'In describing the experiences of survivors, whom she has been adept in tracing, the journalist Cathryn Prince gives voices to 'ordinary people who suffered during extraordinary times' — and does so with scrupulous empathy.' - The Spectator

'Reconstructing this forgotten moment in history, Prince weaves together personal narratives, letters, and the diaries of those who perished to give this WWII tragedy its rightful memorial.' - Military History Monthly
 
'The fact this is such a little-known story, finally getting the due respect and coverage, is more than welcome...this is the best and currently the only book to honour the tragedy...' - The Bookbag
 
'Cathryn J Prince has done an amazing job in researching the facts about the Wilhelm Gustloff. Her book is a mix of hard facts, taken from the records that did survive and also interviews with survivors and family members of those who died.' - Anne Cater, Random Things Through My Letterbox
 
'A must-read for anyone wanting to examine the effects of the War on both sides...' - Warfare Magazine
 
'The story of the sinking of the Willhelm Gustloff is still unkown to a majority of non-Germans...It is certainly a grimly fascinating story, not least because of the wealth of human interest that it contains...Cathryn Prince tells the story of the Gustloff briskly and engagingly...making good use of the eyewitness accounts of the survivors' - History Today

Descrizione del libro:

One of the great unknown tragedies from World War II - the sinking of a refugee ship that killed over 9000 defenseless people

Su questa edizione

• Editore: St Martins Pr
• Data di pubblicazione: 2013
• ISBN 10: 023034156X
• ISBN 13: 9780230341562
• Rilegatura: Copertina rigida
• Numero di pagine: 236