Reminiscent of old scrapbooks filled with photos and documents, these attractive, well-designed books offer background and little-known facts about famous ships. Of particular note is the writing style: each title manages to maintain suspense, even though readers are well aware of the ships’ outcomes. Engaging, short first-person narratives enliven the text while subject consultants add to the authenticity. Of particular interest is the little known Wilhelm Gustloff and its role in German history during World War II. Page layouts are generously filled with photos, sidebars, charts, maps, and mini-biographies of key players. Sturdy library bindings will hold up for repeated use. Appendices include a factsheet of essential facts and legacies. Students will find these useful for reports and be drawn to the illustrations. It would have been helpful if some photos were digitally retouched for clarity. Recommended.

. . .Wilhelm Gustloff shines as a well-rounded account that covers a number of different perspectives, including the terror caused by the Russian troop advancement into East Prussia, the atmosphere onboard the doomed ship, the submarine that sank it, and more. A suitable addition to STEM and history collections, with Wilhelm Gustloff the most readable of the bunch.

★STARRED★ Filled with quotes from survivors, historical photos, and sidebars offering further background, the chapters present an even-handed, engaging account of the events leading up to and immediately following the devastating wreck. The closing chapters’ emphasis on feelings of shame among Germans following WWII, which led to a collective reluctance to discuss the event, is particularly compelling. With ample source notes and further reading, this is a fascinating look at a major catastrophe, which will likely pique the interest of students bored by typical WWII history lessons.