VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED

by Gordon & Max Morgan Witts Thomas ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 13, 1974

Based on interviews with living survivors, this is a day-to-day reconstruction of the journey of the German liner St. Louis from Hamburg to Havana in May 1939. On board are the last 937 Jews to be deported before Germany was at war with England. Most of these Jews had suffered more than five years of extreme mistreatment under Hitler, and could leave the country only through funds collected abroad. Suddenly finding themselves on a German liner and being served by Germans was an extraordinary reversal of fate. The agony deepens when the Jews are refused entry into Cuba because of Cuban chicanery. Put back to sea, they are refused entry to the United States also. Finally, the captain, a heroic German, is forced to return them to Germany and sure death. The story has documentary suspense and heartfelt moments, as well as indignation. Put together from diaries, logs, interviews, this is a work by a pair of sympathetic but uninspired carpenters who specialize in disaster (The San Francisco Earthquake; Shipwreck: The Strange Fate of Morrow Castle).

Pub Date: May 13, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Stein & Day

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1974

Categories: NONFICTION