The dangerous shore : how a motley crew of scientists, mobsters, double agents, retirees, volunteer pilots (and a Boy Scout) stopped the invasion of America / Sara Vladic.
"History books have told us, in the decades following World War II, that Pearl Harbor was the only major attack on the United States' home front. But this is not the whole truth. In The Dangerous Shore, leading researcher and bestselling author Sara Vladic unveils a much different story, one hidden away in dusty archives and behind press embargoes: Throughout the Second World War, German U-boats presented a very real threat to America's eastern coastline, destroying ships, landing spies, and planning assaults on cities. With the country's attention focused on the European and Pacific fronts, the U.S. would have been left undefended, if not for a ragtag bunch of characters who rose to the occasion. Comprised of misfits, rejects, and outlaws, this motley crew came from unexpected places. Among their ranks was the stalwart Gill Robb Wilson, leader of a barnstorming corps of volunteer civilian pilots; the brilliant Dayton engineer, Joe Desch; and the nearsighted yet "clairvoyant" Kenneth Knowles, commander of the Phantom Fleet, entrusted with ULTRA intelligence. Meanwhile, the cooperation of Grace Buchanan-Dineen, a self-styled countess and German spy turned double agent, helped the FBI net even more spies. Notorious but all-American mobsters Lucky Luciano, Meyer Lansky, and Socks Lanza struck deals with Naval Intelligence and kept watch over critical ports. Together their efforts turned the tide of war at home and saved thousands of American lives. A thrilling and eye-opening read, The Dangerous Shore leads you through American history like never before. The story is an ode to the bravery, loyalty, and patriotism of our most unsung--and unlikely--heroes"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780063321045
- ISBN: 0063321041
- Physical Description: x, 610 pages, 32 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 25 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, [2026]
- Copyright: ©2026
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages [521]-578) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Introduction -- Cast of characters -- Preface -- The smoldering fire: what brought us to the day of infamy -- The war for America begins... and we're not ready: December 1941 to April 1942 -- American underdogs: mid-April to December 1942 -- Sacrificing pawns for the greater good: 1943 -- American technology turns the tide: 1943-1944 -- The end, four years in the making: 1944-1945 -- Epilogue.
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Available copies
- 10 of 19 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Madison County Public Library.
Holds
- 2 current holds with 19 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Main Library | 940.545 VLA (Text) | 30229101318482 | Adult New Nonfiction | Available | - |
