In "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania," Erik Larson details the tragic sinking of the Lusitania during World War I. The story highlights the negligence and oversight of the British Admiralty, which was preoccupied with other matters, specifically another ship it considered more crucial. This diversion of attention contributed to the Lusitania's vulnerability to German U-boat attacks. The narrative not only recounts the events leading up to the disaster but also delves into the broader context of war and maritime politics. Larson's account underscores how misprioritization can have dire consequences, leading to the loss of innocent lives and the impact on international relations at the time.

The Admiralty's focus was elsewhere, on a different ship that it deemed far more valuable.