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shirleonelsie 's review for:
The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue
by Michael J. Tougias
I haven't read many non-fiction books and so I don't know how to really critique them. Of the two that I have read that have been about maritime rescues or ordeals, I've noticed that there have been added elements to the stories. There tends to be added anecdotes about other shipwrecks or rescues throughout the books. I'm okay with that because I'm sure the writer feels they need to add more to the book, but I would sometimes prefer to read about what the book is titled for. That being said, I didn't find this one being to overbearing on added details from other wrecks in Coast Guard history.
I found that the two writers wrote well and were engaging enough that I didn't feel bored as I was reading. I find it difficult to read non-fiction because I find it boring, so when I find a book like this one I'm very happy.
I had seen the movie before I read the book and so I couldn't help but compare, something else I am okay with. While the movie was fantastic I wish they paid more attention to the facts. Bernie and Miriam were married in real life and not engaged when he went out on the CG36500. She was bedridden with the flu and didn't go to the Station house to beg for him to be called back. In the movie, the Fort Mercer is talked about but from what I remember they said they only rescued 4 off the boat and not the close to 10 or more they really rescued in reality. Also, those stuck on the Pendleton didn't run the ship aground, the sea did that for them. There was no talk about the one man taking charge and cutting free the lifeboats. In fact the use of lifeboats seemed to only be talked about on the Mercer and not the Pendleton. There was no talk about the rudder being disabled and a makeshift 'guide' (I have no idea what they are called) being made to help guide the ship. Also, in the movie, the hull of the Pendleton lost power but according to the book, they still have power when the CG36500 showed up.
All in all, while the movie was excellent for entertainment, it didn't do justice to what really happened. I'm thankful though that I did see the movie first because it made imagining the storm easier.
I found that the two writers wrote well and were engaging enough that I didn't feel bored as I was reading. I find it difficult to read non-fiction because I find it boring, so when I find a book like this one I'm very happy.
I had seen the movie before I read the book and so I couldn't help but compare, something else I am okay with. While the movie was fantastic I wish they paid more attention to the facts. Bernie and Miriam were married in real life and not engaged when he went out on the CG36500. She was bedridden with the flu and didn't go to the Station house to beg for him to be called back. In the movie, the Fort Mercer is talked about but from what I remember they said they only rescued 4 off the boat and not the close to 10 or more they really rescued in reality. Also, those stuck on the Pendleton didn't run the ship aground, the sea did that for them. There was no talk about the one man taking charge and cutting free the lifeboats. In fact the use of lifeboats seemed to only be talked about on the Mercer and not the Pendleton. There was no talk about the rudder being disabled and a makeshift 'guide' (I have no idea what they are called) being made to help guide the ship. Also, in the movie, the hull of the Pendleton lost power but according to the book, they still have power when the CG36500 showed up.
All in all, while the movie was excellent for entertainment, it didn't do justice to what really happened. I'm thankful though that I did see the movie first because it made imagining the storm easier.