The gales of November : the untold story of the Edmund Fitzgerald / John U. Bacon.
For three decades following World War II, the Great Lakes overtook Europe as the epicenter of global economic strength. The region was the beating heart of the world economy, possessing all the power and prestige Silicon Valley does today. And no ship represented the apex of the American Century better than the 729-foot-long Edmund Fitzgerald -- the biggest, best, and most profitable ship on the Lakes. But on November 10, 1975, as the 'storm of the century' threw 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves on Lake Superior, the Mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank, she took all 29 men onboard down with her, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery for a half century. In The Gales of November, award-winning journalist John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster, drawing on more than 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crewmates of those lost. Bacon explores the vital role Great Lakes shipping played in America's economic boom, the uncommon lives the sailors led, the sinking's most likely causes, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind -- 'the wives, the sons, and the daughters,' as Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad. Focused on those directly affected by the tragedy, The Gales of November is both an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, page-turning narrative history of America's most-mourned maritime disaster.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781324094647
- ISBN: 1324094648
- Physical Description: xx, 442 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color), maps, ; 24 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York, New York : Liverlight Publishing Corporation, a division of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., [2025]
- Copyright: ©2025
Content descriptions
- General Note:
- Maps on endpapers.
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages [413]-428) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Prologue -- The risks -- The rewards -- To build a better boat -- "If we make it 'til daylight..." -- Pride of the American side -- Thirty-eight hours in a raft -- The captain -- The Toledo Express -- The sailor's life -- The veterans -- The rookies -- Lunch with the captain -- One last run (November 8-10, 1975) -- The sailor's code -- Searching -- All that remains -- Epilogue.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Edmund Fitzgerald (Ship)
Shipwrecks > Superior, Lake.
Shipwreckes > Great Lakes (North America) > History.
Sailors > Great Lakes (North America) > Biography.
Inland navigation > Great Lakes (North America) > History.
Shipping > Great Lakes (North America) > History.
Great Lakes (North America) > History.
Superior, Lake > History. - Genre:
- Personal narratives.
Informational works.
Available copies
- 46 of 76 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 0 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.
Holds
- 5 current holds with 76 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | 910.452 BAC (Text) | 36015000755278 | Adult Nonfiction | In transit | - |
