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So Close to Home - Michael J. Tougias

By Michael J. Tougias

Release Date: 2016-05-03

Genre: U.S. History

3.5 (12 ratings)
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On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles from New Orleans. Captained by twenty nine-year-old Iron Cross and King's Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with sixty-two souls on board. Most aboard were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family: Ray and Ina, and their two children, eight-year-old Sonny and eleven-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no idea that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, chaos ensued—and each family member had to find their own path to survival. Including original, unpublished material from Commander Wurdemann’s war diary, the story provides balance and perspective by chronicling the daring mission of the U-boat—and its commander’s decision-making—in the Gulf of Mexico. An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.

So Close to Home - Michael J. Tougias

By Michael J. Tougias

Release Date: 2016-05-03

Genre: U.S. History

3.5 (12 ratings)
Read Download
On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey fifty miles from New Orleans. Captained by twenty nine-year-old Iron Cross and King's Cross recipient Erich Wurdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with sixty-two souls on board. Most aboard were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family: Ray and Ina, and their two children, eight-year-old Sonny and eleven-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no idea that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, chaos ensued—and each family member had to find their own path to survival. Including original, unpublished material from Commander Wurdemann’s war diary, the story provides balance and perspective by chronicling the daring mission of the U-boat—and its commander’s decision-making—in the Gulf of Mexico. An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggle against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.

More by Michael J. Tougias

The Finest Hours

The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition)

Overboard!

Fatal Forecast

A Storm Too Soon

Rescue of the Bounty

A Storm Too Soon (Young Readers Edition)

Above and Beyond

King Philip's War

When Man is the Prey

So Close to Home

Into the Blizzard (Young Readers Edition)

Attacked at Sea (Young Readers Edition)

Derek's Gift

Ten Hours Until Dawn

What I Wish I'd Known: For Writers

In Harm's Way (Young Readers Edition)

Abandon Ship!

The Finest Hours (Chapter Book)

Good Night Coast Guard

A Storm Too Soon (Chapter Book)

Rescue of the Bounty (Young Readers Edition)

Fatal Forecast

No Will Set You Free

There's a Porcupine in My Outhouse

L'ultima tempesta

The Waters Between Us

ArrachĂŠs Ă  l'enfer

The Power of Positive Fishing

In Deep Water

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