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120 reviews for:
The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue
Michael J. Tougias
3.58 AVERAGE
120 reviews for:
The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue
Michael J. Tougias
3.58 AVERAGE
informative
tense
fast-paced
I started off not liking this book. I've never been a huge fan of nonfiction because I find them dull sometimes. However, after the first few chapters I found myself really enjoying the story. The epilogue even made me cry.
So moral of the story: keep going if you don't like something at the beginning! Because I ended up really really liking this book!
So moral of the story: keep going if you don't like something at the beginning! Because I ended up really really liking this book!
A couple of years ago, on vacation in Michigan, we had the chance to see one of these Coast Guard rescue boats and learn about this story (it didn’t happen there, just had some historical connections). Finally took the time to read the book and get the full story. Just a plain good, real-life, edge of your seat story about heroism. Especially if you are intrigued by the sea, boats, storms or the Coast Guard...
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
True Rescue: The Finest Hours is an adventure all on its own. One of the finest and most daring rescues in New England history. When two ships are stricken in winter seas after their ships split into two, there are two teams who head out to rescue them. Only one was called in, the other, the radio was dead, and no distress call could go out.
The crew that headed out to rescue the men trapped were all volunteers, and none of them were sure that they were going to return safely, if at all. But they were not going to leave the men trapped on the ship to the sea.
I absolutely loved this story! It was not one that I had heard before, but it is one that I look forward to sharing with my boys! This book was engaging and one that will resonate with younger readers.
The crew that headed out to rescue the men trapped were all volunteers, and none of them were sure that they were going to return safely, if at all. But they were not going to leave the men trapped on the ship to the sea.
I absolutely loved this story! It was not one that I had heard before, but it is one that I look forward to sharing with my boys! This book was engaging and one that will resonate with younger readers.
I enjoyed this story but the last 90 minutes of the audio was mostly filler as the rescue had ended, and I feel like the book could have ended at that point.
My sister and I finally finished listening to this. We were on a longish road trip and I decided it was time to force her into finishing.
I really enjoy the history of this and learning more about the Coast Guard and some of the people who have served, but the way the story was told didn't work well for me. It might have worked better if I had been reading the physical version, but I still think the way it was structured was odd.
Sometimes it seems that authors of historical texts throw in stories that aren't that relevant to the main story they are trying to tell, which makes the book feel bogged down and sluggish. The structure was also odd, because it jumped back and forth between events too much for my liking. Again, reading it physically may have helped with some of that.
I enjoyed the history and learning more about these events, which I find fascinating, but I didn't love the way it was told. I would recommend it if you are interested in history and want to learn more about the events covered here, which are very inspiring.
I really enjoy the history of this and learning more about the Coast Guard and some of the people who have served, but the way the story was told didn't work well for me. It might have worked better if I had been reading the physical version, but I still think the way it was structured was odd.
Sometimes it seems that authors of historical texts throw in stories that aren't that relevant to the main story they are trying to tell, which makes the book feel bogged down and sluggish. The structure was also odd, because it jumped back and forth between events too much for my liking. Again, reading it physically may have helped with some of that.
I enjoyed the history and learning more about these events, which I find fascinating, but I didn't love the way it was told. I would recommend it if you are interested in history and want to learn more about the events covered here, which are very inspiring.
Personally, I liked "So Close to Home" better, but I love learning about historical events in a story setting vs dry text.
Tougias broke up the chapters to represent everyone involved, from the victims on the sinking ships to the heroes on the small life boats so you really felt like you got the whole story. He also added in additional historical facts and a "where are they now" type section at the end of the book.
Tougias broke up the chapters to represent everyone involved, from the victims on the sinking ships to the heroes on the small life boats so you really felt like you got the whole story. He also added in additional historical facts and a "where are they now" type section at the end of the book.
On the 18th of February, 1952, New England was engulfed by the most brutal nor'easter to have hit the Atlantic in years. The ocean was a roiling mass of seething white fumes. Two oil tankers, the "Pendleton" and the "Fort Mercer" found themselves right in the eye of the storm. Stretching over 500 feet, both the tankers in a moment of unpredictable misery cleanly split into two. Crewmen were left stranded at the bows and sterns of the two ships at the mercy of the violent elements.
Braving seas that rose over seven stories and stretching upto 60 feet, the United States Coast Guard mounted what would later be acclaimed as the singularly most courageous small boat rescue operation ever undertaken. Botswain's Mate First Class Bernie Webber along with Seaman Richard Livesey, Engineer Andy Fitzerald and a member of the Stonehorse Lightship, Ervin Maske boarded the 36 foot cutter "CG36500" and proceeded towards the tanker to mount a rescue. Captain John Joseph of the cutter "Acushnet" and Donald Bangs manning a lifeboat also waded into the dangerous waters. These men went beyond both their calls of duty and the Coast Guard motto "Semper Paratus" (Always Ready"). What followed was a tale for the ages. And it is this tale that is stirringly narrated by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman.
The selfless and noble act of courage displayed in the face of fierce adversity by a handful of men surrounded by Mother Nature at her angriest, makes for some inspiring and life affirming reading. Tougias and Sherman aided by their meticulous research involving interviewing both the rescuers and the rescued paints a triumphal portrait of humanity. The story of Bernie Webber and his indefatigable 'Coasties' will be etched in the hearts and minds of seafarers and ocean voyagers till time immemorial.
"Their Finest Hours" - A far reaching and endurable wave of hope!
Braving seas that rose over seven stories and stretching upto 60 feet, the United States Coast Guard mounted what would later be acclaimed as the singularly most courageous small boat rescue operation ever undertaken. Botswain's Mate First Class Bernie Webber along with Seaman Richard Livesey, Engineer Andy Fitzerald and a member of the Stonehorse Lightship, Ervin Maske boarded the 36 foot cutter "CG36500" and proceeded towards the tanker to mount a rescue. Captain John Joseph of the cutter "Acushnet" and Donald Bangs manning a lifeboat also waded into the dangerous waters. These men went beyond both their calls of duty and the Coast Guard motto "Semper Paratus" (Always Ready"). What followed was a tale for the ages. And it is this tale that is stirringly narrated by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman.
The selfless and noble act of courage displayed in the face of fierce adversity by a handful of men surrounded by Mother Nature at her angriest, makes for some inspiring and life affirming reading. Tougias and Sherman aided by their meticulous research involving interviewing both the rescuers and the rescued paints a triumphal portrait of humanity. The story of Bernie Webber and his indefatigable 'Coasties' will be etched in the hearts and minds of seafarers and ocean voyagers till time immemorial.
"Their Finest Hours" - A far reaching and endurable wave of hope!