So Close to Home

A True Story of an American Family’s Fight for Survival During World War II

By: Michael J. Tougias, Alison O’Leary

Narrated by: Elijah Alexander

A true story of men and women pitted against the sea during World War II - and an unforgettable portrait of the determination of the human spirit.

On May 19, 1942, a U-boat in the Gulf of Mexico stalked its prey 50 miles away from New Orleans. Captained by 29-year-old Iron Cross recipient Erich Würdemann, the submarine set its sights on the freighter Heredia with 59 souls onboard. Most of the crew were merchant seamen, but there were also a handful of civilians, including the Downs family, consisting of the parents, Ray Sr. and Ina; along with their two children, eight-year-old Ray Jr., nicknamed "Sonny", and 11-year-old Lucille. Fast asleep in their berths, the Downs family had no notice that two torpedoes were heading their way. When the ship exploded, Ina and Lucille became separated from Ray Sr. and Sonny.

An inspiring historical narrative, So Close to Home tells the story of the Downs family as they struggled against sharks, hypothermia, drowning, and dehydration in their effort to survive the aftermath of this deadly attack off the American coast.

©2016 Michael J. Tougias (P)2016 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Interesting

I found this book to be very interesting as I did not fully understand the activities of Nazi submarines in our waters in WWII.

Well worth reading

This true narrative personalizes a little-publicized phase of World War 2 - the dramatic loss of civillian ships to U-Boats plying US coastal waters. It recounts the individual stories of the members of one family who were separated when their ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Gulf of Mexico. It also tracks the actions and thoughts of the two submarine captains through their logbooks.

Incredible Account of Survival during WWII

I really enjoyed this. It kept my attention the whole time - I didn't want to stop listening. It gives insight into the boats that the Germans used, and how as one captain seemed bent on killing, regardless, another actually had a heart. He was just in the wrong "job".
The family had a wonderful relationship with each other. Their bond had helped them during this horrible drama. A very well written and narrated true story.
Thank you.

Excellent listen

I found it difficult to stop listening to go to sleep. Very interesting true story and informative of events during the war

It's worth listening to

This was actually two stories in one. One story is of the family, and the other was about the U-boat war along the US coasts. Since this was a free book, I decided to give it a listen. It was good, but not riveting, so I only gave it four stars. Still, the reader was good, and the story interesting.

Decent

It's a decently told story but when it dawned on me how much liberty the author takes in imagining what the characters were thinking it made the whole story feel fake. I would prefer a briefer, dryer story if it meant it was more based in reality.

True story

Excellent audiobook! This one drew me in & affected me like no other, so far. One of the first narrators that I truly enjoyed, also. Just amazing.

Extraordinary, fascinating and very informative!

Well told story full of fascinating and detailed information about the staggering role the German U-boats played in WWII and how they were finally subdued by the Allies using new technology! It is alarming to know these U-boats were able to enter and operate deep into the waters of the Gulf of Mexico where they intercepted and devastated ships and lives including that of a young unexpecting Texas family! Well done!!

Couldn't Stop Listening

What did you love best about So Close to Home?

This book ranks among some of the best thrillers/intrigue novels, but being a work of non-fiction added even more punch to the story. Not only a story about a family's survival, but lots of associated history.

What was one of the most memorable moments of So Close to Home?

The recounting of the survivors of the Laconia sinking who were then rescued by the U-boats. How they were treated not as war time captors, but as fellow humans.

What about Elijah Alexander’s performance did you like?

The narrator did an excellent job. A perfect blend of facts, emotion, and sincerity.

Needs consistency in pronunciation

The narrator had a hard time being consistent with the pronunciation of names and places. And it wasn’t just with foreign words. The least he could have done was pronounce the names of cities in the U.S. correctly. The way he pronounced St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra was especially irritating for a Floridian.