Book excerpt: Lusitania was an engineering marvel, at one time the largest, fastest and most opulent vessel in the world. When she was sunk by a German submarine on 7 May 1915, with the loss of about 1,200 lives, it sent shockwaves around the world. The iconic passenger liner immediately became a weapon in the Allied propaganda war, helping to shift American public opinion against Germany and influencing the USA's eventual entry into the First World War. Her many achievements and successes were largely forgotten. This volume tells Lusitania's story from construction to the aftermath of her sinking in remarkable contemporary postcards.