I am a native Georgian who has spent a good deal of time in Savannah and has even taught the history of it as part of my teaching career. For that reason, I felt that the author could have been more true to the actual story. So many of the characters were fictional when I think that some of them at least should have been real people. Perhaps there are legalities I don't understand, but since the historical part of the story takes place in the 1830s, I'm not sure that would be an issue. The book goes back and forth between the sinking of the Pulaski in the 1830s and the current day with an exhibit on the ship being created by a couple who are coming to terms with the death of a fiancee and best friend. The action moved a little slow for me in places. ( )

FROM B&N: "An atmospheric, compelling story of survival, tragedy, the enduring power of myth and memory, and the moments that change one's life."
--Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Four Winds

FROM B&N: "[An] enthralling and emotional tale...A story about strength and fate."--Woman's World

“An epic novel that explores the metal of human spirit in crisis. It is an expertly told, fascinating story that runs fathoms deep on multiple levels.”—New York Journal of Books

It was called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the wreck was found, and now their story is finally being told in this breathtaking novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.

When Savannah history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski, she's shocked. The ship sank after a boiler explosion in 1838, and the wreckage was just discovered, 180 years later. Everly can't resist the opportunity to try to solve some of the mysteries and myths surrounding the devastating night of its sinking.

Everly's research leads her to the astounding history of a family of eleven who boarded the Pulaski together, and the extraordinary stories of two women from this family: a known survivor, Augusta Longstreet, and her niece, Lilly Forsyth, who was never found, along with her child. These aristocratic women were part of Savannah's society, but when the ship exploded, each was faced with difficult and heartbreaking decisions. This is a moving and powerful exploration of what women will do to endure in the face of tragedy, the role fate plays, and the myriad ways we survive the surviving.

Love the author and the way she found this untold story. Visiting the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah with my book club to see their display on the artifacts from the shipwreck in this story. ( )

Love the author and the way she found this untold story. Visiting the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum in Savannah with my book club to see their display on the artifacts from the shipwreck in this story. ( )

It was called “The Titanic of the South.” The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah’s elite onboard; through time, their fates were forgotten-until the, wreck was found. Savannah history professor Everly Winthrop is asked to guest-curate a new museum collection focusing on artifacts recovered from the steamship Pulaski.
Superfluous is how I would describe the emotions presented. Too much “talk” and not enough “walk” . I just wasn’t impressed with Everly. ( )