The Immortals
by Steven T. Collis
Publication Date: 5/11/21
Hardcover
ISBN: 9781629728483
Retail Price: $24.99
Page Count: 288
Non-Fiction / WWII
Cover Image: © Paul Fleet/iStockPhoto.com
Book Design: © Shadow Mountain
Art Direction: Richard Erickson
Design: Barry Hansen
Synopsis:
During World War II, four chaplains were assigned to the SS Dorchester with more than 900 men on board. Alexander Goode, a Jewish rabbi; John Washington, a Catholic priest; George Fox, a Methodist minister; and Clark Poling, a Baptist minister, all offered comfort, reassurances, and prayers along with a warning from the captain that a German submarine was hunting their convoy.
Thoroughly researched and told in an engrossing nonfiction narrative, this true story alternates between accounts told from the perspective of the Nazi U-boat captain and his crew (as found in their journals and later interviews) and survivors from the Dorchester who credit the four chaplains with saving their lives after their ship was torpedoed.
The celebrated story of the men who became known as the Immortal Chaplains is now joined for the first time in print by the largely untold story of another hero: Charles Walter David Jr. A young Black petty officer aboard a coast guard cutter traveling with the Dorchester, Charles bravely dived into the glacial water over and over again, even with hypothermia setting in, to try to rescue those the chaplains had inspired to never give up.
Page-turning and inspiring, The Immortals explores the power of both faith and sacrifice and powerfully narrates the lives of five heroic men who believed in something greater than themselves, giving their all for people of vastly different beliefs and backgrounds.
Official Trailer for The Immortals by Steven T. Collis
My Review
I have always loved reading about historical events and The Immortals is something quite amazing! This book tells the story of the four chaplains that were aboard the SS Dorchester who offered prayers and support to the 900 men aboard the vessel. They knew that a German submarine was hunting them. I can't imagine anything more terrifying than that knowing you are being hunted down by your enemies.
After the unthinkable happens, readers are then introduced to another unknown hero named, Charles Walter David Junior. This brave young, Coastguardsman traveled alongside the SS Dorchester. After the attack, that night, out of the 227 survivors of the Dorchester, David helped rescue 93 of them. He was described as a “tower of strength.” But hero David contracted pneumonia after helping rescue his stranded shipmates and died 54 days later — on March 29, 1943.
I was amazed at how this story is told both from the sides of the Americans and the German Nazi U-Boat Captain. I loved learning the stories behind the chaplains too. Such an interesting mix of people who went on to become heroes during the beginning of WWII. This book is truly a history lovers dream being so well researched and also all of the added endnotes for each chapter. You can go off on your own to find more information about anything mentioned in this book.
The Immortals:The World War II Story of Five Fearless Heroes, the Sinking of the Dorchester, and an Awe-inspiring Rescue is such an inspiring read that will make you grateful for all of the unsung heroes and the many sacrifices made to maintain freedoms for Americans and many others throughout the world. Well done and huge accolades to Author Steven T. Collins.
Don't forget to buy tickets for the BIG event, Tuesday, May 25th. Details are down below!!!
***Book Launch Details***
Join
Steven T. Collis, author of THE IMMORTALS, and Bill Kaemmer, Exec. Dir.
of the Four Chaplains Memorial Foundation, as well as descendants from
The Dorchester, for a special event.
Everyone
who signs up will receive a free bookplate signed by Steven T. Collis,
and there will be giveaways during the launch party.
Follow this link to get tickets for the event:
Eventbrite Link:
Meet Author Steven T. Collis:
STEVEN T. COLLIS is a storyteller at heart. He is also a law professor 
at the University of Texas School of Law and the faculty director of
Texas’s Bech-Loughlin First Amendment Center and Law and Religion
Clinic. Previously, he was the Olin-Darling Research Fellow at the
Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School and chair of the
Religious Institutions and First Amendment Practice Group at Holland
& Hart LLP. He is an engaging and sought-after speaker nationwide on
religion and law. Steven received his MFA in creative writing from
Virginia Commonwealth University and his Juris Doctor from the
University of Michigan Law School. He is the author of Deep
Conviction: True Stories of Ordinary Americans Fighting for the
Freedom to Live Their Beliefs. He and his wife have five children and
reside in Texas.
Advanced Praise:
“Collis recounts the story of four U.S. Army chaplains of different faiths who sacrificed everything for the 900 soldiers in their charge when their ship sinks after a 1943 torpedo attack in the icy North Atlantic. His meticulous research and deep understanding of the need for and purpose of military chaplains shines through. The newly recognized fifth member of the Immortals is Charles David Jr., a Black Coast Guard steward's mate who demonstrated immeasurable courage during the rescue of survivors as he dove repeatedly into the freezing water to save as many sailors as he could. While the four chaplains' stories are well-established, Collis is the first to tell David's extraordinary story, writing with passion and insight about his 'awe-inspiring' valor and the impact of spiritual service. This truly moving book infuses the tale of the Immortals with new and elevating importance.” -Booklist
Purchase Links:
www.shadowmountain.com
