The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue (True Storm Rescues)

This is a great true story that is well written. It's a fast read because it's hard to put down. It's short, but didn't leave me wanting more. The Coasties I know say the book is right on mark and Bernie Webber is portrayed as he was.

Read this for a book club assignment and so glad I did. I was glued to it. Very well written. The story is amazing and all the more so because it really happened. One of those rare books I just couldn't put down.

The Finest Hours was a great read. I enjoyed every moment and await the movie. It was interesting to learn that one of the authors now lives in my hometown where some of the movie's filming took place recently. WELL DONE!

My husband retired from the Coast Guard in 1975. He was in for 20 yrs. So I am always interested in reading about them. He shared with me one time, about a plane had went down in the Atlantic and the ship he was on, had to go an help with t he rescue. He said it was horrible. They would recover a body, but could see where a shark had got to parts of the bodies.
Once I started reading this book I could not put it down till I had finish it . Very good book.

This book captured my imagination and I didn't want to put it down. I was living in Massachusetts at the time this happened, but never learned the details and difficulties the Coast Guard dealt with for this rescue. An excellent story.

My father served in the U.S.C.G. during the second world war and had many wonderful stories to tell about that part of his life. I chose to read this book because I hoped it would give me some further insight into what that experience was left for him. It brought up so many questions I wanted to ask him. Unfortunately he died this past May 2015. This book did bring up a fond memory of driving in Woods Hole, past the USCG station when I was 13. My dad saw that his ship, the Hornbeam(mentioned in this book) was there. We drove up to the sentry on duty and my dad told him that he had served on this ship. The sentry excused himself and got on the phone. He came back and said that the captain wanted to see us. So the whole family, dad,mom, brother and I went onboard and were introduced to the officers who looked up my father's name in the ship's register. Well it was there and they took us out to tend some buoys, gave us lunch and talked to dad about his days during the war. I took away 1star only because it was too short.

This book sent is actually a revised version for the young reader. It worked out ok but it was being given to someone casting for this being made into a movie by Disney. She laughingly said, "Great; I just have time to read a simplified version."

The story is well told, but it suffered from a lack of maps. Two ships ripped into four pieces floating every which way needed maps to figure out what was happening and where. If it took 20 maps ... so be it. I was disappointed there was no map which included the light ship. This is an extraordinarily complicated event

This book is not badly written it just failed to pique my interest. Part of the story is tragic and part kind of "meh." Not suggesting they did not have an amazing adventure but I never felt pulled in.

Author takes one of the most dramatic rescue operations I have ever read about and simply makes it dull.I found it to be written more like a text book than the great story it really was. His character development falls short.His description of what these sailors accomplished is dry and uninteresting. To me it was great deeds poorly reported.

In February 1952, New England was being battered by one of the worst nor'easters in years, and two oil tankers, the Pendleton and the Fort Mercer, both broke in two.

The two tankers were both built of "dirty steel," and were welded, not riveted. Both things made them more brittle and more at risk of precisely the disaster that befell them both. The dozens of men on each ship were at risk, especially given that both halves of each ship were at risk of capsizing. Rescuing them was not a job for amateurs, and the Coast Guard sent out two 36-foot lifeboats, each crewed by just four men.

Tougias gives us a thrilling and sometimes heartbreaking account of the rescue efforts, interleaved with the history of rescue lifeboats, and the individual histories of the men putting their lives at risk in these rescue efforts. At times this has the effect of slowing the narrative of thrilling events. On balance, though, it makes the whole story richer and more satisfying.

They couldn't save all the men on those two ships. They saved many, though, indeed more than they should have been able to fit on their comparatively tiny boats. It's a wonderful example of just how important, and heroic, the outwardly mundane United States Coast Guard really is.

It's an overall excellent book, and well worth some of your time.

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

The story is well told, but it suffered from a lack of maps. Two ships ripped into four pieces floating every which way needed maps to figure out what was happening and where. If it took 20 maps ... so be it. I was disappointed there was no map which included the light ship. This is an extraordinarily complicated event

This book is not badly written it just failed to pique my interest. Part of the story is tragic and part kind of "meh." Not suggesting they did not have an amazing adventure but I never felt pulled in.

Author takes one of the most dramatic rescue operations I have ever read about and simply makes it dull.I found it to be written more like a text book than the great story it really was. His character development falls short.His description of what these sailors accomplished is dry and uninteresting. To me it was great deeds poorly reported.

In February 1952, New England was being battered by one of the worst nor'easters in years, and two oil tankers, the Pendleton and the Fort Mercer, both broke in two.

The two tankers were both built of "dirty steel," and were welded, not riveted. Both things made them more brittle and more at risk of precisely the disaster that befell them both. The dozens of men on each ship were at risk, especially given that both halves of each ship were at risk of capsizing. Rescuing them was not a job for amateurs, and the Coast Guard sent out two 36-foot lifeboats, each crewed by just four men.

Tougias gives us a thrilling and sometimes heartbreaking account of the rescue efforts, interleaved with the history of rescue lifeboats, and the individual histories of the men putting their lives at risk in these rescue efforts. At times this has the effect of slowing the narrative of thrilling events. On balance, though, it makes the whole story richer and more satisfying.

They couldn't save all the men on those two ships. They saved many, though, indeed more than they should have been able to fit on their comparatively tiny boats. It's a wonderful example of just how important, and heroic, the outwardly mundane United States Coast Guard really is.

It's an overall excellent book, and well worth some of your time.

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

This book captures in vivid detail the many different pieces of he puzzle that led to a rescue at sea. It is not just the action at the moment but everything that leads up to the moment. The lives of the rescuers and those making the decisions about the rescue, the lives of the survivors and how they were impacted, and the lives of those that are lost are all part of the greater story. This book does a superb job with just the right balance to help the reader get the best glimpse and feeling of what these people were all up against and how they felt about their own role in the success of the rescue and how they felt about those that did not make it.

I must thank Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman for writing this book. The heroes of the Coast Guard often do not receive recognition appropriate for the tasks that they perform. There are still those that go to work everyday in the Coast Guard willing to do everything possible to save those that find themselves in perilous conditions on the sea. To the heroes of this and every maritime search and rescue case that has already happened I thank you. For the heroes yet to come I challenge you to be worthy of those that have gone before you.
For those that have an affinity for the sea and for the those that go down to the sea, I recommend this book, you will thoroughly enjoy it.
For everyone else, you should read this book, it will make you wonder with awe at the tenacity of those that make their lives on the sea.
I highly recommend this book.

This is a true story written without the hyperbole that accompanies so many heroic adventures. An incredible February storm attacks the Eastern Seaboard, dumping snow, sleet, ice and hurricane-force winds -- almost without warning. It is 1952,before the days of high tech body coverings like neoprene. Sailors only had old-style rain-slick wear and perhaps wool gloves.

This is truly an adventure of man-against-Mother-Nature. With horrific seas hurling 70 foot waves, two relics of the second World War (built with 'dirty-steel'), break in half at stress points. During WW II, ships were built with all speed, because the Germans were sinking them so fast. Short-cuts were taken in their construction. After the war, the ships were retrofitted to be oil tankers. After the ships' break up, their cargo was oozing out of their holds in the freezing rain and huge waves. The ships broke so that the officers were in the forward part of the ship and the crew was in the aft.

Into this melee, the Coast Guard sends 36 ft. boats to rescue anyone still alive on the ships. The impossible was done just to get to the ailing ship hulks. And then the real work began.The two writers tell the story, often in the sailors' own words. This is truly a unique story.

One engaging aspect of this book is that the authors finished the story. They tell what happened to the Coast Guard men after the rescue and give sketches of their remaining lives. The tribunal conducted after such a large loss of live was also covered.

The rescuers were stunned by the accolades and awards sent their way, 'just for doing our jobs.' The work these young men did was all the more admirable because of their humility.

The book is lean at 224 pages. However the authors' research was obviously extensive. I happened to have 'read' this book via a library 'talking book.' I was disappointed with the narrator; his reading was bland. Without a doubt, this is one story that stays with the reader.

If I can jump back in time again to 1952 for The Finest Hours: The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue when two oil tankers were split in half during a terrible storm you can read about a classic survival story. This book is once again an adaption from the larger volume of this same story. This book tells the story about how two oil tankers were out at sea, split in half, and while the freezing waters, major snowstorm, and other elements were making life a near death experience, there were brave people willing to sacrifice their lives to save these people lost at sea. I found the stories a bit difficult to follow at first because basically there were four sections that needed rescuing, but once I was able to track names and boats I was hooked.

Remember this is a time where technology is not amazing and material and clothing for freezing temperatures was nothing more than blankets, sweatshirts, and rubber boots and gloves. The part that showcases how cold it was a was when one person stated,

“At one point, my head felt so numb I rubbed my hand over it and felt something. It was a big clump of ice, and when I pulled on it, a big patch of my hair came with it. But it was so cold I didn’t even feel it.”

Survival and sacrifice were demonstrated on almost every page. The heroic rescue and the terrible visuals of saving some, but not all. I am not sure what would be worse – jumping to your death in the 70 foot waves or watching it happen knowing you were so close to saving them.

The Finest Hours is a good book. I have spent some time flipping back and looking over what I have already read, most especially the passages where I'm on the edge of my seat. Bernard Webber, Richard Livesey, Andy Fitzgerald and Ervin Maska are heralded as heroes in the greatest rescue by a small boat in Coast Guard history. After reading this book I understand they didn't view themselves as heroes but just did the job they signed up for. There are many other Coast Guard sailors and officers mentioned, their stories being equally interesting, but the focus is on the Pendleton and Fort Mercer.

Mother nature seems to thumb her nose as rescue attempts are met with giant sweeping waves and frigid walls of water dousing the Coast Guard crew as well as the trapped seaman. I am looking forward to the movie but I had to read the actual accounting of this tremendous and heroic rescue first.

A life at sea certainly isn't for everyone. It's a fascinating thing for me ( that being very weird as I'm afraid of fish and drowning) but men and women who choose a life at sea still holds a fascination for me.
When the seas are calm it must be quite beautiful to behold glassy calm waters, the endless horizon and the solitude. However, the ocean is quite unpredictable and a storm or squall can come up on you without very much warning. There's no room for mistakes out on the open waters. If you run out of supplies there are no stores. if you screw up you could land up in the water with no hope of rescue.

Now add a mother of a winter storm with snow , sleet and low visibility. Those are the conditions the CG36500 went out in to rescue the crew of the Pendleton. The Finest Hours is more than a story about a single rescue. There is so much information in The Finest Hours, not only about the Pendleton and Fort Mercer ships, but references to other sea rescues and disasters. If you like reading about daring sea rescues or need a pointer to other stories, read this book. You will not be disappointed. The bibliography is fantastic and a great source for more books in this category.

I'm a big supporter of the military and reading how the Coast Guard risks their lives in service of our country, I am so impressed. Also enjoyable was the back stories of Webber and his crew as well as updates about their lives after they retired from the Coast Guard.

Well done, Mr. Tougias and Mr. Sherman.

"For thousands of years, the ocean had offered its bounty and had collected its debts. That toll would be paid by the men swallowed by the sea and by those they left behind."

The Book

The Finest Hours is a breath-taking heroic story told by two wonderful writers. The narration by Michael and Casey is very gripping. If you think that documentary books are boring, reading The Finest Hours will change your mind.

We learn from history that we learn nothing from history. - George Bernard Shaw

There are quite a number of book quotes that I loved in the book. But this one particularly stood out to me because I think that was part of the reasons why the history repeats itself on these T2 tankers. The ignorance of the respective parties should be held responsible for the casualties of both Pendleton and Fort Mercer.

A big salute from me to Bernie Webber and the rescue crew members! Oh and don't forget CG36500, the miracle life boat that saved 32 lives from Pendleton!

The Movie

I've watched the movie adaptation of the book soon after I finished reading the book. I actually cried when Bernie and his crew successfully passed through the Chatham Bar. Even though there's some changes in the movie, but it did relive that heart-wrenching moments when I was reading the book.

My father, now deceased, was stationed at the USCG base at Long Island in 1952. He told me a story once about going out on a flight in the middle of a winter storm in 1952 in a short wing Albatross, finding himself and his crew headed to support a maritime disaster. He said it was the worst flight he ever piloted, and the only time he was pretty sure they would not survive it. The short wing Albatross would climb to about 5,000', shudder and fall from the sky due to icing. By the time they passed about 1000' he would recover the aircraft finally, and start a slow steady climb again. The plane would shudder and drop several thousand feet again from the ice. He said this went on for almost 3 hours, during which they had to fly to warmer air as the plane could not land with so much ice on it. I was two, and he said that during the whole flight he could not even think about me or my mother as the plane took his full concentration to keep it from stalling with so much ice on it. There is no doubt in my mind from his story, the timing and location at the time, that they were headed north to Cape Cod in hopes of assisting in this sea rescue. The USCG had the equal of a B17 at the time for support missions, which would have been the preferred aircraft but the rescue required a plane that could land on water if needed. My only disappointment in the book is that it does not incorporate stories of the many men, like my father and his USCG crew, who also risked their lives to effect the rescue of the two ships.

I bought this just before I had cancer surgery. It was probably one of the only good things I had to keep my mind occupied during that time. The story is riveting (enough to make me focus on something besides cancer during that time). The heroics of the Coast Guard crews was phenomenal. The situations these guys had to face put them in situations that most of us would have simply buckled under.

Mr. Tougias's writing is very engaging. He did his research and keeps his story fast paced and insightful. It's a great read if you need to put things in perspective in your life.

The story told in The Finest Hours by Casey Sherman and Michael Tougias is so incredible, it’s nearly impossible to believe it’s a true story. The beginning starts slow, but it kept catching speed and I found myself waking up reading it and had trouble putting it down. It is really hard to dislike this book, as It tells a great story and the authors do an even better job of telling it. They do a great job of giving all the details I didn’t know I needed, such as the history behind not only the crew members, but the history of the boat, all the construction, the trips it had been on, and the reasons it was unfit to be in that kind of weather.
Among all the good qualities of this book, and the things you can learn, it also teaches lessons about being a person, and how it applies to everyday life. One of my favorite quotes is “Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us.” (Sherman 83) It really makes you think, and gives you some insight into how these crew members think, because all of them really are great people.
I’ve never had much time on a boat, but I learned so much from this novel, I feel like I could singlehandedly captain a T2 Tanker.The novel also has the perfect amount of diving into the lives of some of the crew members, such as captain Len, while still following the story of the main characters (e.g. Bernie Webber) and their bravery among the Chatham bar and beyond. So if you want to learn more about the sea, the coast guard, like non-fiction books, or just need something different, this could be the novel you’ve been looking for. My only complaint is I wish there was more!

This is my second disaster at sea book by Michael Tougias, The first being Ten Hours Until Dawn, The story about the disaster and heroism aboard the Can Do pilot boat. Once again Michael proves he is the master of the true harrowing tales of New England's seacoast. The Finest Hours tells about the Pendleton and Fort Mercer disasters. On February 18th, 1952 during a particularly nasty Nor Easter, about 40 miles apart the shoddily made tankers SS Pendleton and Fort Mercer broke in half and started sinking east of Cape Cod. The story tells the tales of the Coast Guardsmen who made the attempts to rescue the sailors aboard the halves of the sinking vessels. The Coasties had to endure 60 foot seas, 70 knot winds, blinding snow, sub zero temperatures and the treacherous Chatham Bar in 36 foot wooden rescue boats to rescue the stranded sailors. Most notably were Boatswain's Mate Bernie Webber and the crew of CG-36500, Irving Maske, Andrew Fitzgerald, and Richard Linesey who defied the odds and rescued 32 sailors from the SS Pendleton. This is indeed a great book by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman. They paint a great picture of heroism and peril with their writing. I highly recommend this book to anyone.

This is the true story of how two ships split off the coast on New England in 1952 and how the U.S. Coast Guard made a daring and heroic sea rescue of most of the men aboard the four parts of the two ships that split in violent weather. The coast guard faced a wild dance of giant waves that rose to seventy feet before crashing down with brutal force. The story is told in an exciting manner.
It is unfortunately not unusual for ships to flounder off the coast of New England, nor is it unusual for the ships to split in half when they are blasted by high tides of a Nor'easter. The tankers carrying fuel were generally constructed of two partly prefabricated halves that were welded together by weak steel.
The rescue boats were 36 feet long, built for four rescuers to hold twelve recued persons, but were used in this case to rescue several dozen men at a single time.
Our authors introduce us to the lives of the heroes, those they rescued and the difficulties they faced. One of the parts of the split ships, for example, had no radio or telephone to call for help. The trapped sailors seemed to have no chance for help.
The authors tell of the fear felt by the men who were clinging to the four parts of the two demolished ships. They quote Larry Kersten: Unless a person is lost at sea and cannot see the shore, "you never know the terror of being forever lost at sea."
This is a tale of men who were tested to the limits of their endurance, who could look back on their behavior with pride. We, too, can read of their acts and be inspired.

The book The Finest Hours, by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman, is a gripping novel of inspiring true tales that show the unfathomable courage of men. Fans of inspiring nonfiction novels are sure to love this book. Full of action, suspense, and drama, the novel can be hard to put down. The descriptiveness found in the book paints a picture that is hard to imagine, and makes you feel for the characters. People who have a background in the East Coast setting or Coast Guard may find this book easier to read, however even without this background you can still read and understand the book. Intertwining stories about America’s Coast Guard are sure to instill patriotism in all who read this book. You could read this book for entertainment, or wanting to gain knowledge, either this book will satisfy. The only negatives in the book, are the fact that due to the many stories happening at once, sometimes the book is hard to follow, and characters can be confused. It often jumps back and forth between rescues, and if not playing close enough attention it is easy to get them mixed up. The authors go into great detail on the subject, which depending on the reader can be good if you like that, but can also start to drag on if it doesn’t connect directly to the story. The length of the book isn’t bad, not over 200 pages, which gives enough time to create a compelling story, but not so long as to go on forever. The best part apart this book, is the determination that is shown in the men of this story, even when the odds are seemingly against them. Overall, the novel is a great book that I would recommend others to read, although I wouldn’t say it is the best of it’s type of novel.

This is a superb retelling of the story of heroic Coast Guardsmen and the crew members of two broken tankers who were saved during a severe nor'easter in 1952. An adaptation of the authors' book with similar title for adult readers, this version conveys the desperation of the men on the four sections of ships (each tanker broke in two) and the determination of the Coasties to reach the ships and rescue every man on board. The photos of both tankers and the rescue ships show just how violent the North Atlantic was that February day; to see the size of the lifeboats and even the Coast Guard rescue boat compared to the size of the waves makes one appreciate all who sail the seas. Put this in the hands of teen readers who enjoy adventure stories and wait for the positive reviews to come in.

I liked this book very much. Some parts are sad and touching. It is amazing what some of the men went through, putting their lives in great danger to save others. Some of the men were not even on duty and did not have to go out on the rescue. It is one of the most successful rescues in history at a time when helicopters could not yet be used for sea rescues. I highly suggest this book.

The book, "The Finest Hours," by Michael J. Tougias, tells a miraculous story about a rescue by the US Coast Guard. In Chatham Bay, 1952, two tankers split in half. Different groups of Coast Guardsmen set out to rescue the stranded crews. The text mainly centers on Bernie Webber's iconic rescue of the Pendleton crew. This story can be a slow read at times because it often trails off and goes into detail about different crews and ships. As a result, it can be hard to stay interested at times. However, this is an excellent book for people that are interested in the Coast Guard, ships, and seas.

This book is a testament to the bravery and courage of the men of the United States Coast Guard. In the winter of 1952, two, yes two, tankers split in half during a violent storm raging off of the coast of Massachusetts. Each of the four pieces had people on board. The men of the US Coast Guard risked their own lives, in seas so rough, that they even feared that their own ships would be destroyed. What happens next is a story that will be told for years to come. This is real life adventure with real life consequences. Who lives and who dies is decided by the slimmest of margins. In the biting cold, each man must face his own demise or worse, the death of the person next to them because of his action or in-action.

This book is REMARKABLE! The story - a true story- moves right along and unfolds as it happened and without hyperbole. Off the coast of Cape Cod in 1952 a killer winter storm with hurricane-force winds and massive seas break not one, but two tired World War II vintage tankers in two. The stranded crews on the sinking derelicts desperately hope for rescue in these miserable conditions. Coast Guard men responded without hesitation and put their own lives in extreme peril. The characters do not consider themselves "heroes" - they are simply doing their duty; you get to know them because of what they have done - and what they have done and their courage is incredible. You CANNOT put this book down. Many non-fiction authors just tell the story leaving one to wonder about what happened to the "characters" after the epic has passed. This is not the case here. In the Epilogue and Acknowledgments sections - it's great to find out what happens to these people that you've come to know in the pages of this book. The research was clearly extensive. Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman working together have produced a tour-de-force - a work much greater than the sum of its parts.

If ever a book can be described as totally riveting, this is it. Authors Tougias and Sherman have done an extraordinary job of taking the reader back to the historic winter storm that swept the New England coast in February 1952. The heroic young men of the United States Coast Guard and crewmen aboard two ill-fated tankers cross paths in what can only be described as a harrowing drama that slowly unfolded off the coast of Cape Cod.

Additionally, the authors have offered the reader a nicely detailed glimpse into the lives and backgrounds of the rescuers, as well as the 84 crewmen who so desperately clung to their ships while hope for rescue was steadily fading away.

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in drama at sea and pure heroism beyond imagination.

A great exciting read about young Coast Guard Sailors rescuing men from disabled ships,namely one that had broken in two,during a gigantic super storm that happened
In the Eastern part of the US.
I did see the movie,which was good,but book has many more details.
You won't be disappointed.

You are in a tanker in a storm where the seas are taller than city buildings and winds are hurricane strength. Snow is falling. Temperatures are freezing. You hear an ear-painful crack and then your ship breaks in two.

This happened not once, but twice on a day in Feburary 1952. Two tankers, the Pendleton and the Fort Mercer, forty miles apart off the coast of Massachusetts became four sections of broken ship and eighty-four men's lives were in peril. To them rescue is impossible in these days before helicopter-hoist recovery was well-developed. If help is to come it will have to be by sea. Coast Guard cutters and lifeboats struggle to reach them.

The authors pull together the threads of this astounding Coast Guard rescue into a seaworthy narrative. One of the rescuers is Bernie Webber. With his crew in their 36-foot lifeboat they push through waves twice their length. I had met Bernie, a Coast Guard Vietnam War veteran, during research for my book, "Coast Guard Action in Vietnam." That is when I first learned of his miraculous rescue of thirty-two merchant seamen. Bernie is gone now, but he would be pleased with the class that the authors unveil the entire rescue.

There is an unofficial Coast Guard motto: "You have to go out, but you don't have to come back." The lifeboat crews struggling in the merciless storm did not believe they were coming back. But they knew that if they did not try to get to the ships those sailors would surely die.

If you like true-life adventure on the sea where the survival odds seem impossible--read this book.

Great book about the rescue and the men who did the rescueing and were rescued. Fast paced and easy to read with lots of details. This books really honors the brave men of this tragedy, not only the gold medal crew, but all the Coast Guardsmen and civilian sailors involved. Really hope the movie does the book justice!!

A true story that shows the caliber, character and devotion that these Coast Guard seamen demonstrate in weather that you and I would run in the opposite direction from. Very inspiring I will look upon the Coast Guard differently after reading this book. When you finish reading the book so will you.

Gripping true story!

This is a book that you won't put down until you read the last page. Its a heroic story of men who put their lives on the line (in an almost certain suicide mission) to save people that they had never met. Tougais is a master at these sort of tales and he tells it wonderfully. Suspense, anxiety, and fear will keep you strapped in all the way to the end of this moving book.

An amazing story about Liberty ships, which are known to break in half in heavy seas. I’ve been at sea in Alaskan storms where the ship was hitting two waves at once, causing massive structural strain to the point where I could hear the creepy sounds of flexing steal. In a World War Two era ship like that, or even modern ships, the chance of it breaking in half is real. It’s a scary place to be. This story dramatizes one of the great rescue stories. –Roger Weston, author of The Golden Catch

The Finest Hours was a great book to read with a very deep plot. The only problem I have with this book is the beginning. At times it is hard to follow what characters are doing what and just sheer amount of different characters in this book can be overwhelming. Which overall can make it hard to hook readers in. Overall it was still a great book that loved to read, but it still took a little determination to do so.

Loved the book, now I am motivated to read some of the recommended books mentioned in the back. Being familiar with the Cape Cod area, especially Chatham, this made it even more interesting. When I visit the area I will check things out.

Great read. Really shows you the seriousness of emergency actions needed by the Coast Guard. The Finest Hours, Coast Guard Follies, and The Coast Guard Oracle are now my favorite Coast Guard books....

I listened to the Audible Audio unabridged version of this title and found both the story and the narration to be well-done. A tribute to the courage of those who serve in the Coast Guard. This book will be of special interest to those interested in the history of the Cape Cod region or in Maritime history.

The book, The Finest Hours is informational and interesting. I think other kids should read the book because it will teach you about other people and how they would react to certain situations. The people were real because I would have acted almost the same way as they acted and it was true. The story ended in sort of a sad way but I liked it from beginning to end. My favorite part is when a ship was sinking and a crazy person said "Let's jump overboard." This book is also very funny. This book has 19 chapters and 149 pages so if you get the book enjoy it. Thank you.

Seth, age 11

The authors tell the story of two 503 foot oil tankers that broke in two off Cape Cod during a brutal Nor'Easter on 18 February 1952 along with the rescue of most of the ship's crews through the incredible bravery and skill of Coast Guard men. Tougias and Sherman researched the details of the story well and brilliantly capture its spirit, including the probable hand of Providence in the events, suggested with nuance. Altogether an excellent read.

Hang on and Fly: A Post-War Story of Plane Crash Tragedies, Heroism, and SurvivalGreat Story and well written. Highly recommended for reading or listening to the audio book. You will not be disappointed.

When I picked up this book, I did not realize it was written by in part by Michael J. Tougias. I read his outstanding book Ten Hours Until Dawn a few years ago and found it a great read. Once I saw his name on the jacket, I knew I was going to enjoy it.

I love that this book is about a topic of local interest. I've been to Chatham light many times, seen the bar and can visualize it in stormy conditions. I really enjoyed The Finest Hours. I would recommend it to anyone who love sea stories or tales of heroism.

I just spent the weekend on my boat on Cape Cod and this book happened to be on my husband's book shelf. I picked it up because I had nothing to do and I couldn't put it down. Both author's do a wonderful job of telling an authentic story of brotherhood and heroism. I feel like I know Bernie Webber and some of the other men in the story and I have a much deeper appreciation of the Coast Guard. This is a must read this summer. I can't wait to see the restored boat in Orleans!

This was an amazing book!! I loved it so much and i definitely would recommend this book anytime! I didn't love non-fiction until i read this book!!! I knew what was going on at all times and it was fast paced which kept me asking questions.

Incredible story of two nearly identical shipwrecks at the same time in absolutely horrific weather and the heroic Coast Guardsmen who risked their own lives to try and save the imperiled sailors. Michael Tougias is clearly an expert but he writes so that even someone, like me, with no sailing experience can understand the technical aspects

As the person responsible for the restoration and preservation of the MLB CG36500 , the story told by Mike and Casey is outstanding . Excellent research and interviews have been used to produce the story . Being responsible for this historic vessel that was involved in the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history and having spent time with all four crewmen , I can assure the readers that this is an accurate and well told account of the 32 seamen rescued from the Pendleton .

I just today finished reading Messrs. Tougias and Sherman's recent book, The Finest Hours, and wanted to congratulate them on writing such a wonderful story. These young Coast Guard men were true heroes in every sense of the word. I recently purchased this book for my husband and several friends will be receiving their copy as gifts. Thank you for bringing this story to our attention. A definite 5 Star rating!

I have enjoyed reading this book. Michael Tougias has made the stories so real, I felt I was there in the moment. I particularly liked his depiction of the weather elements these men had to work in to perform the rescues.

I also appreciate the book manufacture. The paper is excellent and the binding is very well done. This is a book I will treasure for many yearsto come.

This book was one of the greatest well read books that i have read. I am in the Army and we and the the other services get all the credit for protecting this great country. This book proves and proves over and over again that the Coast Guard needs more credit. It shows some of the bravest men, out there so others may live. They get the jobs done and dont get any credit. Casey allows you to see what these great men do. Great Read!!

Exciting--terrifying--thrilling. All those words describe the story of the unbelievable U.S. Coast Guard air-sea rescue of crews trapped on two oil tankers that have split in half during a mammoth winter storm off Cape Cod in 1952. Courage and an indomitable spirit mark the Coast Guard crews who propel 36 foot lifeboats through fierce winds and enormous waves to complete their mission. One is left with great admiration for this underfunded and under appreciated service.

Thank you to Michael and Casey for bringing back so many good memories of times when we, "voluntarily just did our jobs," and wanted no fanfare. Great book just like it was, working with antiquated technology of all kinds.

This was an amazing book!! I loved it so much and i definitely would recommend this book anytime! I didn't love non-fiction until i read this book!!! I knew what was going on at all times and it was fast paced which kept me asking questions.

As the person responsible for the restoration and preservation of the MLB CG36500 , the story told by Mike and Casey is outstanding . Excellent research and interviews have been used to produce the story . Being responsible for this historic vessel that was involved in the greatest small boat rescue in Coast Guard history and having spent time with all four crewmen , I can assure the readers that this is an accurate and well told account of the 32 seamen rescued from the Pendleton .

I just today finished reading Messrs. Tougias and Sherman's recent book, The Finest Hours, and wanted to congratulate them on writing such a wonderful story. These young Coast Guard men were true heroes in every sense of the word. I recently purchased this book for my husband and several friends will be receiving their copy as gifts. Thank you for bringing this story to our attention. A definite 5 Star rating!

I have enjoyed reading this book. Michael Tougias has made the stories so real, I felt I was there in the moment. I particularly liked his depiction of the weather elements these men had to work in to perform the rescues.

I also appreciate the book manufacture. The paper is excellent and the binding is very well done. This is a book I will treasure for many yearsto come.

This book was one of the greatest well read books that i have read. I am in the Army and we and the the other services get all the credit for protecting this great country. This book proves and proves over and over again that the Coast Guard needs more credit. It shows some of the bravest men, out there so others may live. They get the jobs done and dont get any credit. Casey allows you to see what these great men do. Great Read!!

I can not believe the incredible conditions that these brave coastguard men saved lives in! I couldn't put the book down! So interesting to not only read of the brave rescue but the feelings that followed! I highly recommend this book to everyone!!! I am blown away!

The positive reviews of this book amaze me. The character development is akin to writing resumes of every single character, major and minor, and stacking them up on a bookshelf. The misuse of maritime verbiage has also tripped me up. Chapter 7 has nothing to do with the plot at all and the volumes of superfluous detail have tempted me to lay this book down repeatedly. Yes, I hated it.