Summary

Passengers for the May 1st voyage of the Lusitania began arriving in New York a week before departure. There was no sign of war on the Great White Way or in the posh restaurants that provided free entertainment with their meals. The New York economy along with most of the country had recovered from the recession due to the demands that the European war brought on. Real estate and construction was booming in New York. Gala parties were thrown for the elite. Extravagance was the mode of the day. War stories covered in New York papers were overshadowed by reports of scandal and murder.

Charles Lauriat, Jr., kept up the tradition of his father who founded the celebrated Boston bookstore, Charles E. Lauriat Company, and was on board for an annual trip to London to buy up old books for resale...