The Michael J. Colligan History Project Proudly Presents Erik Larson

Coinciding with the centenary of the end of World War One, this talk based on Erik Larson’s bestselling book describes a tragedy that brought the First World War home to many Americans for the first time. On May 1, 1915 the S.S. Lusitania, among the fastest, most luxurious liners of its day, sailed from New York bound for Liverpool on an ill-fated voyage that would change history. Even as German U-boats brought terror to the North Atlantic, the ship’s passengers, including many children and infants, were surprisingly at ease … It is a story many of us think we know but don't, and Larson tells it thrillingly, capturing the sheer drama and emotional power of a disaster whose intimate details and true meaning have long been obscured. Erik Larson is a master of narrative non-fiction. His vividly written, bestselling books have won several awards and been published worldwide. His critically-acclaimed The Devil in the White City remained on the New York Times bestseller lists for a combined total of over six years, winning an Edgar Award for nonfiction crime writing, and being nominated for the National Book Award. Larson graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied Russian history, language, and culture. He also received a Master’s degree in journalism form Columbia University. Larson has worked for The Wall Street Journal and Time magazine, and published in The Atlantic, Harper’s, The New Yorker, and other publications. This is a free public event with a reception to follow. RSVP is required. Please RSVP at https://miamioh.formstack.com/forms/erik_larson.