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The Great Rescue: American Heroes, an Iconic Ship, and the Race to Save Europe in WWI
Published in commemoration of the centennial of America’s entry into World War I, the story of the USS Leviathan, the legendary liner turned warship that ferried U.S. soldiers to Europe—a unique war history that offers a fresh, compelling look at this epic time.
When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, the new German luxury ocean liner SS Vaterland was interned in New York Harbor, where it remained docked for nearly three years—until the United States officially entered the fight to turn the tide of the war. Seized by authorities for the U.S. Navy once war was declared in April 2017, the liner was renamed the USS Leviathan by President Woodrow Wilson, and converted into an armed troop carrier that transported thousands of American Expeditionary Forces to the battlefields of France.
For German U-Boats hunting Allied ships in the treacherous waters of the Atlantic, no target was as prized as the Leviathan, carrying more than 10,000 Doughboys per crossing. But the Germans were not the only deadly force threatening the ship and its passengers. In 1918, a devastating influenza pandemic—the Spanish flu—spread throughout the globe, predominantly striking healthy young adults, including soldiers.
Peter Hernon tells the ship’s story across multiple voyages and through the experiences of a diverse cast of participants, including the ship’s captain, Henry Bryan; General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force; Congressman Royal Johnson, who voted against the war but enlisted once the resolution passed; Freddie Stowers, a young black South Carolinian whose heroism was ignored because of his race; Irvin Cobb, a star war reporter for the Saturday Evening Post; and Elizabeth Weaver, an army nurse who saw the war’s horrors firsthand; as well as a host of famous supporting characters, including a young Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Thoroughly researched, dramatic, and fast-paced, The Great Rescue is a unique look at the Great War and the diverse lives it touched.
When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, the new German luxury ocean liner SS Vaterland was interned in New York Harbor, where it remained docked for nearly three years—until the United States officially entered the fight to turn the tide of the war. Seized by authorities for the U.S. Navy once war was declared in April 2017, the liner was renamed the USS Leviathan by President Woodrow Wilson, and converted into an armed troop carrier that transported thousands of American Expeditionary Forces to the battlefields of France.
For German U-Boats hunting Allied ships in the treacherous waters of the Atlantic, no target was as prized as the Leviathan, carrying more than 10,000 Doughboys per crossing. But the Germans were not the only deadly force threatening the ship and its passengers. In 1918, a devastating influenza pandemic—the Spanish flu—spread throughout the globe, predominantly striking healthy young adults, including soldiers.
Peter Hernon tells the ship’s story across multiple voyages and through the experiences of a diverse cast of participants, including the ship’s captain, Henry Bryan; General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force; Congressman Royal Johnson, who voted against the war but enlisted once the resolution passed; Freddie Stowers, a young black South Carolinian whose heroism was ignored because of his race; Irvin Cobb, a star war reporter for the Saturday Evening Post; and Elizabeth Weaver, an army nurse who saw the war’s horrors firsthand; as well as a host of famous supporting characters, including a young Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Thoroughly researched, dramatic, and fast-paced, The Great Rescue is a unique look at the Great War and the diverse lives it touched.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2017
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437 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 21, 2023
This is the story of a German luxury liner, that pulled into NYC at the wrong time-just at the out break of WWI. The USA interned the liner and it sat there for 3 years until America entered war. Once America was committed to fighting they turned the boat into a troop transport and it began making it's way across the Atlantic carrying boys to fight and bringing back the injured.
The story was interesting and the author did some heavy research to pull it all together. Between the story of the ship he wove into it some of the last months of fighting in France. For me, that just did not work. Although the battles he wrote about were important and should be told, it seemed as though he just did not have enough about the boat to fill a book and so went this route.
Still a good interesting story I did not know about and I am happy I read it.
The story was interesting and the author did some heavy research to pull it all together. Between the story of the ship he wove into it some of the last months of fighting in France. For me, that just did not work. Although the battles he wrote about were important and should be told, it seemed as though he just did not have enough about the boat to fill a book and so went this route.
Still a good interesting story I did not know about and I am happy I read it.
February 12, 2020
This is an interesting, easy to read book on a part of the American experience in World War I. The book focuses on the experiences of the troop transport USS Leviathan, a huge German ocean liner that the US Navy took over after we declared war on Germany. This vessel transported upwards of 10,000 troops at a time to Europe, and was a key factor in the quick collapse of the German war effort after American entered the war in 1917. Interspaced with the tales of the ship's experiences and voyages, are interesting and informative chapters on other aspects of the American experience in the war, including General John Pershing, the horrifying Spanish flu, which ultimately killed more people than the war, experiences of Franklin Roosevelt during his time as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and various battles. Whether you have read a great deal about World War I like I have, or are someone new to reading about the Great War, you will find something new and interesting in this well-written book. The only part of the book I disagreed with is the author's generally negative take on the American army's battle in the Argonne forest. I had an ancestor killed in that battle, and have read extensively on it, and while Pershing could have led the troops more adroitly, our hard press in that battle, in my view, went far to bringing on the Armistice. This book is a good and worthwhile read.
March 26, 2018
A very interesting book about World War One. Centered on a troop ship named he Leviathan. Which transported tens of thousands of American Troops to Europe. In between you read of the stories of that horrific war. The ill prepared " doughboys" bravely turned the tide of the war. The book told the story of the ship as it dodged German U-Boats bent on sinking the ship. The flu pandemic which spread among the troops as the war went on. Mustard gas, life in the trenches and I read this book because of the 100th anniversary of the ending of the war. There are many other books written and more on the way. I hope many people will choose to read at least one book on the topic. For no other reason than to pay tribute and learn about the people who fought this war.
September 11, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Using a vessel to highlight voices with a variety experiences made it a really interesting and engaging book. I was never bored and learned a lot about WWI. Would recommend as it was an informative and easy read.
July 5, 2017
I was given this book by Harper Collins exchange for an honest review.
Today's post is on The Great Rescue: American Heroes, an Iconic Ship, ad Saving Europe During WW1 by Peter Hernon. It is 368 pages long including notes and is published by Harper Collins. The cover has a picture of theLeviathan on it. The intended reader is someone who is interested in naval history and World War 1. There is mild foul language, no sex, and descriptions of violence and the war. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- Published in commemoration of the centennial of America’s entry into World War I, the story of the USS Leviathan, the legendary liner turned warship that ferried U.S. soldiers to Europe—a unique war history that offers a fresh, compelling look at this epic time.
When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, the new German luxury ocean liner SS Vaterland was interned in New York Harbor, where it remained docked for nearly three years—until the United States officially entered the fight to turn the tide of the war. Seized by authorities for the U.S. Navy once war was declared in April 2017, the liner was renamed the USS Leviathan by President Woodrow Wilson, and converted into an armed troop carrier that transported thousands of American Expeditionary Forces to the battlefields of France.
For German U-Boats hunting Allied ships in the treacherous waters of the Atlantic, no target was as prized as the Leviathan, carrying more than 10,000 Doughboys per crossing. But the Germans were not the only deadly force threatening the ship and its passengers. In 1918, a devastating influenza pandemic—the Spanish flu—spread throughout the globe, predominantly striking healthy young adults, including soldiers.
Peter Hernon tells the ship’s story across multiple voyages and through the experiences of a diverse cast of participants, including the ship’s captain, Henry Bryan; General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force; Congressman Royal Johnson, who voted against the war but enlisted once the resolution passed; Freddie Stowers, a young black South Carolinian whose heroism was ignored because of his race; Irvin Cobb, a star war reporter for the Saturday Evening Post; and Elizabeth Weaver, an army nurse who saw the war’s horrors firsthand; as well as a host of famous supporting characters, including a young Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Thoroughly researched, dramatic, and fast-paced, The Great Rescue is a unique look at the Great War and the diverse lives it touched.
Review- An interesting and quick read about one ship's effort to help with the war. The story starts with the war beginning and the Vaterland was stopped from going home to Germany, leaving the ship, the crew, and all the passengers stuck in America. So begins the years of war and change for the ship. From a new name the Leviathan to a new purpose as the biggest troop ship in the American Navy, we travel with her and some of the people she took to and from Europe. With detailed notes from journals, interviews, and other first hand sources we learn the amazing history of this forgotten ship. Hernon touches briefly on the Spanish Flu and now I must get my hands on a book about it. I would recommend this book.
I give this book a Four out of Five stars.
Today's post is on The Great Rescue: American Heroes, an Iconic Ship, ad Saving Europe During WW1 by Peter Hernon. It is 368 pages long including notes and is published by Harper Collins. The cover has a picture of theLeviathan on it. The intended reader is someone who is interested in naval history and World War 1. There is mild foul language, no sex, and descriptions of violence and the war. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- Published in commemoration of the centennial of America’s entry into World War I, the story of the USS Leviathan, the legendary liner turned warship that ferried U.S. soldiers to Europe—a unique war history that offers a fresh, compelling look at this epic time.
When war broke out in Europe in August 1914, the new German luxury ocean liner SS Vaterland was interned in New York Harbor, where it remained docked for nearly three years—until the United States officially entered the fight to turn the tide of the war. Seized by authorities for the U.S. Navy once war was declared in April 2017, the liner was renamed the USS Leviathan by President Woodrow Wilson, and converted into an armed troop carrier that transported thousands of American Expeditionary Forces to the battlefields of France.
For German U-Boats hunting Allied ships in the treacherous waters of the Atlantic, no target was as prized as the Leviathan, carrying more than 10,000 Doughboys per crossing. But the Germans were not the only deadly force threatening the ship and its passengers. In 1918, a devastating influenza pandemic—the Spanish flu—spread throughout the globe, predominantly striking healthy young adults, including soldiers.
Peter Hernon tells the ship’s story across multiple voyages and through the experiences of a diverse cast of participants, including the ship’s captain, Henry Bryan; General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force; Congressman Royal Johnson, who voted against the war but enlisted once the resolution passed; Freddie Stowers, a young black South Carolinian whose heroism was ignored because of his race; Irvin Cobb, a star war reporter for the Saturday Evening Post; and Elizabeth Weaver, an army nurse who saw the war’s horrors firsthand; as well as a host of famous supporting characters, including a young Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Thoroughly researched, dramatic, and fast-paced, The Great Rescue is a unique look at the Great War and the diverse lives it touched.
Review- An interesting and quick read about one ship's effort to help with the war. The story starts with the war beginning and the Vaterland was stopped from going home to Germany, leaving the ship, the crew, and all the passengers stuck in America. So begins the years of war and change for the ship. From a new name the Leviathan to a new purpose as the biggest troop ship in the American Navy, we travel with her and some of the people she took to and from Europe. With detailed notes from journals, interviews, and other first hand sources we learn the amazing history of this forgotten ship. Hernon touches briefly on the Spanish Flu and now I must get my hands on a book about it. I would recommend this book.
I give this book a Four out of Five stars.
August 1, 2020
1917.
The name of an incredible WWI movie, and the year the United States entered said world war. The US' decision didn't come a moment too soon - after 3 years of devastating trench warfare on the European continent, the Allies were in a desperate position. They needed more soldiers, they needed them right away, and they needed them strong and ready to fight, or else they could never gain ground and reclaim lands that had fallen to German occupation in the early days of the conflict. And if they couldn't push the Germans back, they couldn't force Germany into surrender.
Luckily, the US was pretty well positioned to ship the thousands of troops the Allies desperately needed. Back in 1914, when the hostilities first broke out in Europe, the American government seized a handful of German ocean liners that were in American ports at the time. Among this group was the pride of the German mercantile fleet: the SS Vaterland. The largest passenger liner in the world at the time of her launch in 1913, the Vaterland had had a bright future ahead of her, and while war derailed her intended purpose, she would prove to exceed everyone's expectations.
Retrofitted as a troop ship, and renamed the USS Leviathan, the former luxury liner made several perilous trips across the North Atlantic, dodging German U-boats and that sea's notorious gales, bringing thousands upon thousands of American troops to France's shores. Danger lurked at every turn, not just in outrunning German submarines intent on sinking their former crown jewel, but also in a spreading influenza pandemic... one the world started calling the "Spanish Flu" as it raced around the globe, and even devastated the troop ships at sea.
Peppered throughout Peter Hernon's masterful story of this revered ocean liner-turned-troop ship are the more intimate stories of the men and women who sailed on her: General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, who was thrust into a war the Allies were losing; Corporal Freddie Stowers, a Black service man whose bravery in the longest and deadliest campaign of WWI helped turn the tide in the Allies' favor; newspaper reporters Irvin Cobb and Damon Runyon, who brought the horror of the trenches into the living rooms of people back home, and nurse Elizabeth Weaver, who sailed into the biggest adventure of her life.
And while the USS Leviathan is the center piece of The Great Rescue, this book is more about the final year of WWI and the different people who fought in it. So it is a must read for anyone with an interest in the Great War. But I loved that the book was told from this perspective: a single troop ship racing back and forth across the North Atlantic, carrying the American "dough boys" who would ultimately bring WWI to an end.
The name of an incredible WWI movie, and the year the United States entered said world war. The US' decision didn't come a moment too soon - after 3 years of devastating trench warfare on the European continent, the Allies were in a desperate position. They needed more soldiers, they needed them right away, and they needed them strong and ready to fight, or else they could never gain ground and reclaim lands that had fallen to German occupation in the early days of the conflict. And if they couldn't push the Germans back, they couldn't force Germany into surrender.
Luckily, the US was pretty well positioned to ship the thousands of troops the Allies desperately needed. Back in 1914, when the hostilities first broke out in Europe, the American government seized a handful of German ocean liners that were in American ports at the time. Among this group was the pride of the German mercantile fleet: the SS Vaterland. The largest passenger liner in the world at the time of her launch in 1913, the Vaterland had had a bright future ahead of her, and while war derailed her intended purpose, she would prove to exceed everyone's expectations.
Retrofitted as a troop ship, and renamed the USS Leviathan, the former luxury liner made several perilous trips across the North Atlantic, dodging German U-boats and that sea's notorious gales, bringing thousands upon thousands of American troops to France's shores. Danger lurked at every turn, not just in outrunning German submarines intent on sinking their former crown jewel, but also in a spreading influenza pandemic... one the world started calling the "Spanish Flu" as it raced around the globe, and even devastated the troop ships at sea.
Peppered throughout Peter Hernon's masterful story of this revered ocean liner-turned-troop ship are the more intimate stories of the men and women who sailed on her: General John Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe, who was thrust into a war the Allies were losing; Corporal Freddie Stowers, a Black service man whose bravery in the longest and deadliest campaign of WWI helped turn the tide in the Allies' favor; newspaper reporters Irvin Cobb and Damon Runyon, who brought the horror of the trenches into the living rooms of people back home, and nurse Elizabeth Weaver, who sailed into the biggest adventure of her life.
And while the USS Leviathan is the center piece of The Great Rescue, this book is more about the final year of WWI and the different people who fought in it. So it is a must read for anyone with an interest in the Great War. But I loved that the book was told from this perspective: a single troop ship racing back and forth across the North Atlantic, carrying the American "dough boys" who would ultimately bring WWI to an end.
May 27, 2018
Approaching the Memorial Day holiday, it is fitting I just finished this book. There is much about WWI that I do not know. In my high school U.S. History classes, we barely got to the 20th century by the end of semester, so treatment of this epic event was minimal. And certainly the story of a particular ship such as the USS Leviathan was never even broached. But Hernon presents a wonderful book about this ship, renamed after being seized from the Germans at the outbreak of the war. The Vaterland becomes the Leviathan. The Leviathan was the largest troop transport ship of the world at that time, with the critical task of getting U.S. Troops to France before British and French forces collapse before the overwhelming power of Germany. It was the number one target of the devastating U-Boat attacks by Germany on Allied shipping. And U.S. troops arrive just in the nick of time to keep the Germans from victory.
One insight the book presented, to which I had been totally clueless, was the reality and impact of Influenza - not only on the ship, but among soldiers throughout the conflict. The flu almost determined the outcome of WWI!!! The insight of this reality were fascinating.
The book made history 'real' by focusing on key players in the life-history of the boat - the 2 Captains, General Pershing, a black soldier named Freddie Stowers, news writer Irvin Cobb, nurse Elizabeth Weaver, congressman/soldier Royal Johnson - plus references to famous people such as FDR and Humphrey Bogart.
Very well written, and with any interesting insights about this particular ship and the War in general, I think it would be very much enjoyed by anyone who enjoys U.S. history.
One insight the book presented, to which I had been totally clueless, was the reality and impact of Influenza - not only on the ship, but among soldiers throughout the conflict. The flu almost determined the outcome of WWI!!! The insight of this reality were fascinating.
The book made history 'real' by focusing on key players in the life-history of the boat - the 2 Captains, General Pershing, a black soldier named Freddie Stowers, news writer Irvin Cobb, nurse Elizabeth Weaver, congressman/soldier Royal Johnson - plus references to famous people such as FDR and Humphrey Bogart.
Very well written, and with any interesting insights about this particular ship and the War in general, I think it would be very much enjoyed by anyone who enjoys U.S. history.
September 2, 2017
I read this as research for my current WIP. It’s a fascinating enough story, with some very useful—to me at least—information, but as a book, it felt undernourished and not well organized. Each chapter is divided in two, with one part detailing the journeys of The Leviathan, the second telling a variety of stories about World War I, many of which touch only tangentially on the ship itself. While there’s plenty of detail on the ship’s three captains and some of their more illustrious passengers and crew members, life below decks, among both lower echelon and the tens of thousands of soldier who made the journey across the North Atlantic and home again, are only briefly touched on. There is apparently a six-volume maritime history of The Leviathan, assembled by the crew, that may be at least a richer source of information.
August 2, 2017
A real learning experience. Story about a luxurious German liner that was confiscated by the US at the start of WWI, kept till we entered the war, then turned into a massive troop-carrier at the time German U-boats were sinking every ship they could find. Told from different views; about the refurbishment of the ship, about people who sailed on her, about the effect that some passengers had on the war. Very interesting. The book visits black troops, how they were segregated from the American soldiers, but how the French took them to their hearts. I learned more about how the 'Spanish Flu' started and some of the effects of that. Learned about General Pershing and his French lover. Interesting stuff in here.
July 6, 2020
The Great Rescue is a tightly paced, intriguing story of a captured German luxury liner, turned US troop transport ship, as America entered WWI. Part ’cat and mouse’tale, part military history, and part pandemic thriller, this book has it all.
From stories of The Leviathan desperately trying to dodge German U-boats in the North Atlantic, to accounts of pivotal battles on the Western front, to the harrowing tale of a 1918 flu tainted cruise from New York to France, which ended with dozens of deaths and a cargo hold full of corpses; this book will keep you turning pages.
This year I have read several books about WWI, and I’m so glad I found this one in particular. It was well worth my time and consideration.
From stories of The Leviathan desperately trying to dodge German U-boats in the North Atlantic, to accounts of pivotal battles on the Western front, to the harrowing tale of a 1918 flu tainted cruise from New York to France, which ended with dozens of deaths and a cargo hold full of corpses; this book will keep you turning pages.
This year I have read several books about WWI, and I’m so glad I found this one in particular. It was well worth my time and consideration.
September 15, 2017
While I gave this book a low rating it could easily be rated more highly by WWI buffs. You have to know a lot about the war to appreciate the many stories. Each chapter contains a sub-chapter about the boat and a sub-chapter about a person who was transported on or commanded the ship. These could have easily been deleted or enlarged but as they stand they are confusing and not complete. The fact that the many trips the Leviathon makes back and forth transporting troops would have been greatly improved with clearer time frames. In my eyes the book was a mish mash. Disappointing.
December 14, 2023
Great book! It was hard to put down because it was so interesting. This book follows a few people and regiments on the ocean and through the war. Although it really shows the horror of war and racial discrimination, it also shows the courage, kindness, and humanity of people. It makes me really sad to think of all the destruction that war brings. I appreciated the information about the flu epidemic and the little details about what things would have looked like.
July 10, 2017
Great read and we'll written. World War I was a horrendous time, much learned and eye opening.....the situations of the flu on the ship, lack of training for the soldiers before they hit the front, using foreign weapons,disgusting trench living and warfare.
So, so many deaths in individual battles, lack of experience using proper attack maneuvers.
So, so many deaths in individual battles, lack of experience using proper attack maneuvers.
July 14, 2017
The "not-so-well-known" story of the World War I Troop ship, USS Leviathan. Its role in "The Great War", including notable passengers, and moments in history are covered in detail. Though an interesting history, it sometimes dragged.
October 29, 2017
This was an interesting story about a little known event during WW 1. For this ship to become a transport for the allies due to a quirk of fate when she was in the US when the war broke out ,along with other German ships was truly amazing.
November 25, 2017
It was a decent book with some historical information I never knew, but I always felt like the “Leviathan” was sort of a side note through the book. Makes me want to learn more about this ship. I had a family member who served over there and sailed on the “Olympic”.
October 21, 2021
A very good relatively light read that bounces between the military history of the Leviathan (former Vaterand). I would have preferred a stronger focus on the ship that also followed her in more detail once she returned to passenger service.
November 21, 2017
A good story about a German luxury liner turned into a troop transport - The Leviathan -for World War 1. Easy read, short chapters.
December 19, 2017
A good World War I book focusing on German submarines' efforts to sink anything trying to cross the Atlantic.
February 20, 2018
Interesting story of an ocean liner, in its time during WWI, and the people who came through it. A novel take on The Great War.
March 24, 2018
Makes me want to visit all the battlefields of 1914-18 France
June 3, 2019
Excellent story about the ship and World War I. Read like a novel.
October 9, 2019
Thanks Dave
February 8, 2020
Great book and should be required reading for US history courses. Excellent storytelling by the author!
December 24, 2020
Interesting read. A bit rushed at the end, but great information.
March 11, 2025
Good story, good writing. Easily the dumbest book title ever!
December 21, 2017
This excellent non-fiction reads like a novel, with stories on land and sea intertwined. As I didn't know a great deal about this era in history, much was learned about WWI -- and it motivated me to search for more historical information in-depth. So interesting!
August 16, 2022
Excellent summary of U.S. The first world war
World war one as experienced by the liner S.S. Leviathan and a variety of those who traveled on her during the war through the eyes of correspondents, military enlisted and officers and her crew some famous and some other wise unknown
World war one as experienced by the liner S.S. Leviathan and a variety of those who traveled on her during the war through the eyes of correspondents, military enlisted and officers and her crew some famous and some other wise unknown
December 20, 2023
A well researched little-known part of WW1 history - excellent narration.
January 1, 2018
This is a wonderful book about a horrible war. Navies don’t seem to be featured much in Great War stories, being overshadowed by the horrors of the trenches in the French countryside, but German submarines were sinking ships all the time! I did not know that submarines were such a force in WWI.
The ship carried American troops to Europe. She was originally a German luxury liner, stranded in New York harbor when the US entered the war.
The book is very frightening, too, in presenting the case that the the “good guys” were very close to losing to the Kaiser. I had not realized HOW close.
The ship carried American troops to Europe. She was originally a German luxury liner, stranded in New York harbor when the US entered the war.
The book is very frightening, too, in presenting the case that the the “good guys” were very close to losing to the Kaiser. I had not realized HOW close.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews