The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald [Hardcover]

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 The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald has been told and retold by authors and bards. But never has it been told better than by Mr. Bacon in this colorful and compelling book.... In The Gales of November, he blends the talents of a narrative historian with the skills of a journalist, in an account that covers the economics of the Great Lakes, the evolution of mining technology and the mechanics of canal locks. It also touches on poignant personal details about the crewmen of the Edmund Fitzgerald and their families. He even takes readers behind the music, describing how and why Lightfoot came to record his song.... A strength of 'The Gales of November' is the way Mr. Bacon weaves in the stories of the crewmen who perished when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down. Dead men tell no tales, but their loved ones do. Mr. Bacon tracked them down and listened. An absorbing An absorbing read that answers the questions most readers will have . . . . Bacon has given us a superior look into an unforgettable story. In addition to the expected library, database and museum research, Bacon interviewed?family members; other sailors, including some who had served on the Fitz; port workers,?scientists, bartenders, servers and other people who helped him understand and?communicate what the life of a Great Lakes sailor was like. & Beyond merely?recapping the details of the Edmund Fitzgerald's final voyage, he wants readers to feel and?understand the attractions and perils of a Great Lakes sailor's life. This is a wonderful book, perfect for the reader whos interested in maritime history, a fan of shipwrecks, or who simply wants to learn more about what exactlyl³˜