"A remarkable true WWII account of the maritime attack on the RMS Laconia off the West African coast"--Provided by the publisher.

Includes glossary.

Part I, Laconia before the torpedoes -- The voyage -- Part II, Laconia torpedoed -- Torpedoes in the night -- Escape -- Into the ocean -- Aboard U-156 -- Hartenstein's call for help -- Another U-boat arrives -- Claude and chaos in the lifeboat -- Ascension Island -- Part III, American plane bombing and aftermath -- Bombs from above -- Blown into the sea -- Josephine boards U-507 -- Crash dive -- Part IV, Weeks in the lifeboats -- No room to sit -- Second chance for survival -- Almost 700 miles to Africa -- Salvation, but not for everyone -- From castaway to POW -- Dangerous beginnings of dehydration -- An axe-swinging madman -- Steely tenacity -- A harsh penalty -- Creeping madness -- Only four were left -- A courageous woman -- Precious water -- Something in the distance -- Still at sea -- Part V, Post rescue -- Kind, compassionate people -- At last -- Prison -- Long road to freedom.