Four chaplains are prepared to serve their country during WWII. Although of different faiths, these men were able to form a close friendship and assist each other in all things having to do with their ministries. All four are placed on the Dorchester, a troop carrier headed towards combat. They have to travel through waters known to have German U-boats patrolling. It is a compelling narrative on the lives of these men and their heroic actions on that fated boat. We also get to have a look at petty officer Charles Walter David Jr, a black man who was only allowed to serve his country in the kitchens of the boat. He also showed great heroics in helping rescue many men off that boat- men that possibly in the last had been hateful towards him.

I was not expecting a historical telling of this story. At times it did feel a little dry- but that’s completely on me. Apparently there’s another book about these 4 men out there that I’d be interested in looking into, as well as a memorial in NJ that I’d love to go find and see. An interesting story and I’m glad the author was able to being in the story of Charles Walter and how it had affected his posterity. I enjoyed hearing about the posterity of all these men. Would recommend!

Thanks for NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Steven T. Collins has written a fantastic non-fiction tale in, “The Immortals.” This is a book that puts the human element right back into the often discussed Second World War. If you read this book, and I believe you should, you will likely find it difficult to walk away with a dry eye by the end.

I was fascinated by this book from beginning to end. The individual stories of these men’s lives and how they reached the decision to become chaplains in a very dangerous time, as well as the very personal sacrifices they would go on to make are incredible.

The story is told in a fluid way that makes it easy and enjoyable to read and at times one forgets that they are actually reading about real life since the emotional aspects are such a part of the overall story. This is excellent writing and research combined. Even if you are not a major war history buff, this book would still be a great choice. Especially during the recent upheaval in all of our lives, it is sobering to see the choices that others have made to retain our freedom and liberty.

I happily recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartfelt journey into the past.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I can’t believe I’ve never heard this story! During WWII a transport ship was torpedoed and sunk near Greenland. Hundreds of men died in the freezing January water. This is primarily the story of the heroism of 5 diverse men: Four chaplains (one Jewish, one Catholic, and two Protestant) who helped all they could get to to safety from the sinking ship, and an African-American man who served officers in the mess hall of an escort ship and who volunteered to go into the cold water and was able to save dozens of men.
So inspiring.

The Immortals by Steven T. Collis is an excellent nonfiction book that goes deeper into the fascinating heroics of several men that sacrificed it all for their fellow men during the disaster of the sinking of the Dorchester during WWII.

This is a gripping novel that I read so fast, I could have sworn it was fiction. Sadly, I did not know of these five specific men that sacrificed their lives in 1943 so that others may live. The bravery, the humbleness, the fear that they must have experienced and overcome during this tragedy took my breath away. I really enjoyed being able to learn more about not only the four men: Alexander Goode, John Washington, ClarkPoling, and George Fox (the four clergymen), but also the wonderful addition of another brave man that gave up his life: petty officer Charles Walter Davis, Jr. I am in awe of the selflessness and patriotism that these men clearly exhibited during this real-life tragedy.

I truly enjoyed this book, I was able to learn so much more, and I am truly blessed to have had the privilege to hear these men’s stories.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. I am not a huge fan of nonfiction, but I loved this story. The author writes that their are two Americas, the ideal and reality. This book illustrates a time when reality meet the ideal. this book shows that even though we are all different there are things that bring us together. That united we are much stringer.

I’m not quite sure how to rate this book..... This was an amazing story and the author did a lot of research it just wasn’t told in a way that made me feel completely engrossed in it.
I guess I didn’t read the part of the description where it says the story is told in a non-fiction format.
That being said, if you love documentary type stuff instead of a fictional book then you will love this. It was good-just difficult for me (when I usually read fluff type books) to get through. I prefer books with more dialogue.

Just past midnight, on February 3, just hours from their destination, the Dorchester was torpedoed and sank, throwing its passengers into the frigid waters and creating the worst single loss of an American personnel convoy during WWII. Many of the survivors credit the four chaplains with saving their lives. Those chaplains would become known as "The Immortal Chaplains" for their heroism in making the ultimate sacrifice. With no thought of themselves, they calmly helped men to safety through the chaos of their badly damaged ship, searched for spare life jackets for those without--eventually giving away their own life jackets and encouraging men in the freezing waters.

The celebrated story of the Immortal Chaplains is now joined for the first time in print by the largely untold story of another hero of the sinking of the Dorchester: Charles Walter David, Jr. was a young Black petty officer aboard a Coast Guard cutter traveling with the convoy who bravely dived into the glacial water over and over again, even with hypothermia setting in, to try to rescue the men the chaplains had first helped and inspired to never give up. Through his efforts, he joins the Chaplains as one of “The Immortals.”