I am a history buff and I was particularly excited about this one.
Atrocity on the Atlantic: Attack on a Hospital Ship During the Great War by Nate Hendley is a gripping historical account that shines a light on an often-overlooked chapter of World War I. The book centers around the tragic and deliberate attack on the Llandovery Castle, a Canadian military hospital ship, by a German U-boat in 1918.
Hendley’s research is thorough, and his storytelling is both accessible and compelling. The narrative is well-paced, balancing detailed historical context with personal accounts that bring the events to life. The author does an excellent job of capturing the scale of the tragedy, focusing on the innocent lives lost and the broader implications of targeting a hospital ship. Hendley doesn’t shy away from portraying the brutality of the war, but he also emphasizes the humanity of those involved, offering readers a glimpse into the lives of medical staff, soldiers, and civilians caught up in the chaos.
One of the standout features of the book is Hendley’s ability to explain complex military tactics and the political atmosphere of the time without overwhelming the reader. The attack on the Llandovery Castle serves as a microcosm for the broader horrors of the war, particularly the use of unrestricted submarine warfare by the Germans, and Hendley connects these events to larger themes of wartime ethics, survival, and the cost of war.
For readers interested in World War I, naval history, or military strategy, this book offers a fascinating and sobering account. While it might not appeal to those looking for a purely action-driven narrative, it’s a well-researched and thought-provoking examination of an often-overlooked event in the history of the Great War.
Ultimately, Atrocity on the Atlantic is an engaging and informative read that honors the memory of those who suffered in the attack, offering an important perspective on the ethical complexities of warfare.
