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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
This book has two authors because they both began researching separately, and decided to cooperate instead of compete. As a result, they have a lot of information--much of it from the people who were there when the events happened.
Two tankers split in two during a storm--setting off a flurry of rescue efforts. Taking place over two days, the rescues were complicated, dangerous, and difficult to coordinate--and a little difficult to follow in the book. Providing background throughout, from the start of each rescuer's career, to the area the wrecks happened, to the history of sea rescues, the story aims to be educational, and does pretty well at that. The construction issues of the tankers, in particular, is tragic and infuriating. Some black and white photos are included, and the story continues for 50 years, following mainly Bernie Webber, who received most of the attention in the aftermath.
Two tankers split in two during a storm--setting off a flurry of rescue efforts. Taking place over two days, the rescues were complicated, dangerous, and difficult to coordinate--and a little difficult to follow in the book. Providing background throughout, from the start of each rescuer's career, to the area the wrecks happened, to the history of sea rescues, the story aims to be educational, and does pretty well at that. The construction issues of the tankers, in particular, is tragic and infuriating. Some black and white photos are included, and the story continues for 50 years, following mainly Bernie Webber, who received most of the attention in the aftermath.
My 6th grader is reading this book for his class so I am too. I hope the teachers manage to make this book more interesting and easy to understand. We live on the south shore in Mass, our town’s name is mentioned more than once, I know all the areas and places mentioned, I can read and enjoy most things, and it still couldn’t keep my interest.
I finished it but it was a slog.
I finished it but it was a slog.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
DNF @ 32%
This was more of a history lesson about the area and the people and not much actual story. I lost interest pretty quickly.
This was more of a history lesson about the area and the people and not much actual story. I lost interest pretty quickly.
The heart of the story is over halfway into the book. Why bother after that??
I normally love Tougias. I will be the first to admit that he is a great researcher, but only a decent writer. Usually, however, his stories are so fast paced and terrifying (since they're all true) that I just tear through the books. Theyre the sort of book that you read in one day, enthralled on the couch- or in a tent because its pouring outside :D
But this one, this one was scattered for Tougias, who normally weaves multiple storylines in much more coherently. I found the story to be jumping around, the "cast" was already huge, but he jumped around in timelines to other incidents in the area in decades past. The lack of coherency allowed my mind to wander far too easily. I also would not recommend the audiobook, if you are going to read this, definitely read dont listen.
Don't get me wrong- its an absolutely astonishing tale of heroism and daring. The rescue the Coast Guard did on this day is absolutely nothing short of amazing and breathtaking. I just felt that the authors could have done a better job describing and narrating such a fantastic story.
But this one, this one was scattered for Tougias, who normally weaves multiple storylines in much more coherently. I found the story to be jumping around, the "cast" was already huge, but he jumped around in timelines to other incidents in the area in decades past. The lack of coherency allowed my mind to wander far too easily. I also would not recommend the audiobook, if you are going to read this, definitely read dont listen.
Don't get me wrong- its an absolutely astonishing tale of heroism and daring. The rescue the Coast Guard did on this day is absolutely nothing short of amazing and breathtaking. I just felt that the authors could have done a better job describing and narrating such a fantastic story.
Excellent quick read about the two largest open water rescues by the Coast Guard. I highly recommend it!
Written as a summary of events, not necessarily as a story. I wanted to know more after watching the movie and this definitely filled in more information
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Partial to the read given my daughter is in the USCG