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The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald
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 Edmund Fitzgerald, the biggest, best, and most profitable ship on the Lakes.
But on November 10, 1975, as the “storm of the century” created 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves, the Mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank in Lake Superior, she took with her all twenty-nine men on board. For fifty years the tragedy was shrouded in mystery.
In The Gales of November, award-winning journalist John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster, drawing on more than 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crew mates of those lost. Bacon explores the vital role the Great Lakes shipping played in America’s economic boom, the uncommon lives the sailors led, the sinking’s most likely causes, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind: "the wives, the sons, and the daughters,” as Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad. Focused on those directly affected by the tragedy, The Gales of November is an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, page-turning narrative history of America’s most-mourned maritime disaster.
But on November 10, 1975, as the “storm of the century” created 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves, the Mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank in Lake Superior, she took with her all twenty-nine men on board. For fifty years the tragedy was shrouded in mystery.
In The Gales of November, award-winning journalist John U. Bacon presents the definitive account of the disaster, drawing on more than 100 interviews with the families, friends, and former crew mates of those lost. Bacon explores the vital role the Great Lakes shipping played in America’s economic boom, the uncommon lives the sailors led, the sinking’s most likely causes, and the heartbreaking aftermath for those left behind: "the wives, the sons, and the daughters,” as Gordon Lightfoot sang in his unforgettable ballad. Focused on those directly affected by the tragedy, The Gales of November is an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, page-turning narrative history of America’s most-mourned maritime disaster.
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First published October 7, 2025
About the author
John U. Bacon
19 books295 followersJohn U. Bacon is an American journalist and author of books on sports and business as well as a sports commentator on TV and radio.
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October 24, 2025
“The Fitzgerald’s crew was…seeing twenty-five footers coming at them throughout the afternoon…This is when the Fitzgerald’s unique characteristics – the modular construction, the use of welds over rivets, the extraordinary flexibility of the hull, the lowering of the Plimsoll Line, and whatever damage she might have suffered over Six Fathom Shoal – would all be tested by the once-in-a-lifetime conditions on Lake Superior. The fully loaded Fitzgerald had only 11.5 feet of freeboard on a good day, and this was not a good day. The question no longer was whether the Fitzgerald could withstand such relentless punishment, but how long before she succumbed…”
- John U. Bacon, The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald
There is a good chance – especially if you have not spent time around the Great Lakes – that you have never heard about the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank with all hands on November 10, 1975. As far as shipwrecks go, it does not embody the Greek tragedy and Edwardian splendor of the RMS Titanic, lacks the world-historical context of the RMS Lusitania, and has a casualty list far more modest than the MV Doña Paz.
If you have heard of the Edmund Fitzgerald, it is probably because of Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who wrote the “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” in 1976, a tune that made it all the way to number two on the Billboard 100. The song still slaps, but it’s a lengthy folk rock ballad mainly loved by people who enjoy lengthy folk rock ballads.
Even if you are familiar with the Edmund Fitzgerald, it still begs the question: nearly fifty years after being swamped in a massive storm on Lake Superior, what makes it the worthy subject of a good-sized book? After all, as John Bacon notes early in The Gales of November, over six thousand ships floundered in the Great Lakes between 1875 and 1975, killing upwards of 30,000 sailors.
For me, the answer to the question is that there are so few answers to the questions posed by the Edmund Fitzgerald's sudden disappearance. None of her twenty-nine crewmen survived. No distress signal was sent. It is that mystery– and not Lightfoot’s musical mini-epic – that has kept the ship alive for me.
Unfortunately, in Bacon’s otherwise wonderful book, that mystery is barely addressed.
***
If you were write a book about – let’s say – the Titanic, you would have tens of thousands of pages of evidence to look at: first-person accounts; newspaper stories; official inquiries; sworn testimony; affidavits; insurance records; scientific analyses. When you take on the Edmund Fitzgerald, you have a relatively brief series of radio calls made by Captain Ernest McSorley to a nearby ship – the SS Arthur M. Anderson – which ends with McSorley’s statement that “we are holding on own.” Aside from video footage of the wreck, that’s about it for hard evidence.
As a result, any book about the Edmund Fitzgerald is – out of sheer necessity – going to have to be about more than the Edmund Fitzgerald alone.
In The Gales of November, Bacon takes a good long time getting to the fateful final seconds of the doomed ore carrier. That space is taken up with a variety of different topics, including an overarching history of shipping on the Great Lakes, the Storm of 1913, the sinking of the SS Carl D. Bradley and the SS Daniel J. Morrell, and a painstaking, rather effecting examination into the lives of some of the crewmembers.
This is all to say that everything about the subtitle – “the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald” – is totally misleading.
But that’s okay, as I’ll explain below.
***
There is plenty here to hold one’s attention, even if the structuring is a little haphazard.
For example, I really liked Bacon’s description of wave mechanics: how they are created; how high they can get; how much weight they carry; and what kind of impact they have when they hit. Having visited both, I can attest that Lake Superior’s waves can be as impressive as the Atlantic’s or the Pacific’s.
Bacon also does a really good job with marine architecture, describing the inherent design flaws that made the Edmund Fitzgerald susceptible to stormy weather. In particular, the ship was tailored to fit through the locks of Sault Ste. Marie, meaning that it was extremely long – 729 feet in length, greater than the depths in which she sank – and quite narrow. Beyond aesthetic weirdness, the Edmund Fitzgerald’s shape presented two potentially dangerous outcomes in high seas. First, the ship could sag, meaning that bow and stern were both propped atop waves, with the midsection drooping into the trough. Second, the ship could hog, in which the midsection rose with a wave, while the bow and stern dipped, like the ends of a seesaw. Both “hogging” and “sagging” put tremendous pressure on the steel that held everything together.
Speaking of locks, Bacon makes the workings of the “Soo Locks” surprisingly fascinating. Given that ships are far and away the most efficient means of transporting goods, the utilization of this ancient art is incredibly important.
This is just a sampling of what Bacon covers, as there’s not enough space to list everything. Suffice to say, you will learn a lot about life aboard an ore carrier, including more than a few visits to dockside bars.
***
For all its virtues, The Gales of November falls short of greatness, or even near greatness. Despite my hopes and Bacon’s ambitions, it is not The Perfect Storm of the inland seas.
One reason is the writing. Obviously, this is an incredibly subjective observation on my part, but I found Bacon’s style to lack any lyricism or poetry. It does not evoke anything. While he nails the technical makeup of a Lake Superior wave, he gives no sense of what it must have felt like to be in the midst of them. Though he tells you how cold the lake is, you never feel the water’s chill. He tends to rely on lengthy quotes from interviews he has conducted, with all the salty language and everyday cliches you’d expect. It’s a personal preference, but I think it’s an author’s job to use their literary skills to mold the information provided by others into art, rather than simply excerpting them.
In short, after all of the buildup, after the far-ranging discussions of taconite ore, the boom years of Detroit, and the life paths of the crewmen, I wanted to be gripped by tension, with the gyre tightening, the seas building, and the storm closing in. Alas, the pure storytelling aspects never reached the highest levels.
***
The bigger problem for me is Bacon’s apparent disinterest in interrogating the actual cause of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s demise. It is a striking issue, because despite the ferocity of the storm, the other ships on Lake Superior that night – including a sixteen-footer that Bacon mentions offhandedly – did not sink.
It should go without saying that I’m not actually asking for an answer. That is known only to men who are gone, and to the universe itself. But I wanted Bacon to explore all the theories with the same focus that he gave to other, less important parts of this tale. Indeed, I felt this was promised upfront, with Bacon noting the abundance of material on the various hypotheses. To be sure, Bacon provides a quick little chapter that summarizes the probable causes of death. However, the chapter is incredibly superficial, and given far less attention than that devoted to the crafting of Lightfoot’s ballad.
For me, the how-and-why of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s last moments is the point. It’s the chief reason this local disaster has had such an extensive afterlife. If we knew exactly what happened, or if just one man survived to give an explanation, the Mighty Fitz likely would have joined the SS Marine Electric and numerous other lost vessels as a mostly forgotten relic in the vast ocean of history.
***
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last major sinking in the Great Lakes. Today, better weather reports, global positioning systems, and tighter regulations have made things much safer. With that said, “safer” does not mean “safe,” and safety is ultimately an illusion. As demonstrated by the SS El Faro in 2015, even vessels equipped with modern gadgetry can be humbled by nature.
The study of any disaster is really an inquiry into how people face the end. Oftentimes, in looking at the fatal collision of tough conditions, bad choices, and blind chance, one comes to the conclusion that what is coming cannot be stopped, and that when the time arrives, there is no escape.
- John U. Bacon, The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald
There is a good chance – especially if you have not spent time around the Great Lakes – that you have never heard about the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank with all hands on November 10, 1975. As far as shipwrecks go, it does not embody the Greek tragedy and Edwardian splendor of the RMS Titanic, lacks the world-historical context of the RMS Lusitania, and has a casualty list far more modest than the MV Doña Paz.
If you have heard of the Edmund Fitzgerald, it is probably because of Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who wrote the “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” in 1976, a tune that made it all the way to number two on the Billboard 100. The song still slaps, but it’s a lengthy folk rock ballad mainly loved by people who enjoy lengthy folk rock ballads.
Even if you are familiar with the Edmund Fitzgerald, it still begs the question: nearly fifty years after being swamped in a massive storm on Lake Superior, what makes it the worthy subject of a good-sized book? After all, as John Bacon notes early in The Gales of November, over six thousand ships floundered in the Great Lakes between 1875 and 1975, killing upwards of 30,000 sailors.
For me, the answer to the question is that there are so few answers to the questions posed by the Edmund Fitzgerald's sudden disappearance. None of her twenty-nine crewmen survived. No distress signal was sent. It is that mystery– and not Lightfoot’s musical mini-epic – that has kept the ship alive for me.
Unfortunately, in Bacon’s otherwise wonderful book, that mystery is barely addressed.
***
If you were write a book about – let’s say – the Titanic, you would have tens of thousands of pages of evidence to look at: first-person accounts; newspaper stories; official inquiries; sworn testimony; affidavits; insurance records; scientific analyses. When you take on the Edmund Fitzgerald, you have a relatively brief series of radio calls made by Captain Ernest McSorley to a nearby ship – the SS Arthur M. Anderson – which ends with McSorley’s statement that “we are holding on own.” Aside from video footage of the wreck, that’s about it for hard evidence.
As a result, any book about the Edmund Fitzgerald is – out of sheer necessity – going to have to be about more than the Edmund Fitzgerald alone.
In The Gales of November, Bacon takes a good long time getting to the fateful final seconds of the doomed ore carrier. That space is taken up with a variety of different topics, including an overarching history of shipping on the Great Lakes, the Storm of 1913, the sinking of the SS Carl D. Bradley and the SS Daniel J. Morrell, and a painstaking, rather effecting examination into the lives of some of the crewmembers.
This is all to say that everything about the subtitle – “the Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald” – is totally misleading.
But that’s okay, as I’ll explain below.
***
There is plenty here to hold one’s attention, even if the structuring is a little haphazard.
For example, I really liked Bacon’s description of wave mechanics: how they are created; how high they can get; how much weight they carry; and what kind of impact they have when they hit. Having visited both, I can attest that Lake Superior’s waves can be as impressive as the Atlantic’s or the Pacific’s.
Bacon also does a really good job with marine architecture, describing the inherent design flaws that made the Edmund Fitzgerald susceptible to stormy weather. In particular, the ship was tailored to fit through the locks of Sault Ste. Marie, meaning that it was extremely long – 729 feet in length, greater than the depths in which she sank – and quite narrow. Beyond aesthetic weirdness, the Edmund Fitzgerald’s shape presented two potentially dangerous outcomes in high seas. First, the ship could sag, meaning that bow and stern were both propped atop waves, with the midsection drooping into the trough. Second, the ship could hog, in which the midsection rose with a wave, while the bow and stern dipped, like the ends of a seesaw. Both “hogging” and “sagging” put tremendous pressure on the steel that held everything together.
Speaking of locks, Bacon makes the workings of the “Soo Locks” surprisingly fascinating. Given that ships are far and away the most efficient means of transporting goods, the utilization of this ancient art is incredibly important.
This is just a sampling of what Bacon covers, as there’s not enough space to list everything. Suffice to say, you will learn a lot about life aboard an ore carrier, including more than a few visits to dockside bars.
***
For all its virtues, The Gales of November falls short of greatness, or even near greatness. Despite my hopes and Bacon’s ambitions, it is not The Perfect Storm of the inland seas.
One reason is the writing. Obviously, this is an incredibly subjective observation on my part, but I found Bacon’s style to lack any lyricism or poetry. It does not evoke anything. While he nails the technical makeup of a Lake Superior wave, he gives no sense of what it must have felt like to be in the midst of them. Though he tells you how cold the lake is, you never feel the water’s chill. He tends to rely on lengthy quotes from interviews he has conducted, with all the salty language and everyday cliches you’d expect. It’s a personal preference, but I think it’s an author’s job to use their literary skills to mold the information provided by others into art, rather than simply excerpting them.
In short, after all of the buildup, after the far-ranging discussions of taconite ore, the boom years of Detroit, and the life paths of the crewmen, I wanted to be gripped by tension, with the gyre tightening, the seas building, and the storm closing in. Alas, the pure storytelling aspects never reached the highest levels.
***
The bigger problem for me is Bacon’s apparent disinterest in interrogating the actual cause of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s demise. It is a striking issue, because despite the ferocity of the storm, the other ships on Lake Superior that night – including a sixteen-footer that Bacon mentions offhandedly – did not sink.
It should go without saying that I’m not actually asking for an answer. That is known only to men who are gone, and to the universe itself. But I wanted Bacon to explore all the theories with the same focus that he gave to other, less important parts of this tale. Indeed, I felt this was promised upfront, with Bacon noting the abundance of material on the various hypotheses. To be sure, Bacon provides a quick little chapter that summarizes the probable causes of death. However, the chapter is incredibly superficial, and given far less attention than that devoted to the crafting of Lightfoot’s ballad.
For me, the how-and-why of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s last moments is the point. It’s the chief reason this local disaster has had such an extensive afterlife. If we knew exactly what happened, or if just one man survived to give an explanation, the Mighty Fitz likely would have joined the SS Marine Electric and numerous other lost vessels as a mostly forgotten relic in the vast ocean of history.
***
The Edmund Fitzgerald was the last major sinking in the Great Lakes. Today, better weather reports, global positioning systems, and tighter regulations have made things much safer. With that said, “safer” does not mean “safe,” and safety is ultimately an illusion. As demonstrated by the SS El Faro in 2015, even vessels equipped with modern gadgetry can be humbled by nature.
The study of any disaster is really an inquiry into how people face the end. Oftentimes, in looking at the fatal collision of tough conditions, bad choices, and blind chance, one comes to the conclusion that what is coming cannot be stopped, and that when the time arrives, there is no escape.
July 23, 2025
There's a certain guilt in enjoying books about disasters. Much like true crime, it can often feel like you are a voyeur of human tragedy. However, I think this is only true when what you are reading doesn't respect its subject. For me, if I can talk smartly about the tragedy when I am done, then it is no longer about the catastrophe. It is about the people who got caught in the storm and the people who are left behind.
In the case of The Gales of November by John Bacon, it is a superb telling of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald by an author who is enamored with his subject and the people around it. Bacon's narrative is very much a love letter to Great Lakes sailors and their families (with the expected slight exaggerations now and again). Bacon took the time to speak to as many primary sources as possible, including people who were on the Mighty Fitz before its fateful final journey. It makes for a story which is fully immersive and crushingly sad by the end.
I have read other books on the sinking which generally end up being quite short. The ship went down with all hands so much of what we know is some facts and a lot of conjecture. Bacon gets around this by telling the story of Great Lakes shipping and how these bodies of water can be just as deadly (if not more) than the open ocean. The author even spends some time on what I think might be the most overlooked natural disaster in American history, the White Hurricane. Haven't heard of it? Well, now you have another reason to read this book (and David G. Brown's White Hurricane for an even deeper look). This book is much longer than someone may expect because the whole story is not just the sinking. Bacon gets that and the narrative is exceptional because of it.
And yes, Bacon does remember to discuss Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Like the song, I think the families of the Mighty Fitz would heartily approve of this book.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company/Liveright.)
In the case of The Gales of November by John Bacon, it is a superb telling of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald by an author who is enamored with his subject and the people around it. Bacon's narrative is very much a love letter to Great Lakes sailors and their families (with the expected slight exaggerations now and again). Bacon took the time to speak to as many primary sources as possible, including people who were on the Mighty Fitz before its fateful final journey. It makes for a story which is fully immersive and crushingly sad by the end.
I have read other books on the sinking which generally end up being quite short. The ship went down with all hands so much of what we know is some facts and a lot of conjecture. Bacon gets around this by telling the story of Great Lakes shipping and how these bodies of water can be just as deadly (if not more) than the open ocean. The author even spends some time on what I think might be the most overlooked natural disaster in American history, the White Hurricane. Haven't heard of it? Well, now you have another reason to read this book (and David G. Brown's White Hurricane for an even deeper look). This book is much longer than someone may expect because the whole story is not just the sinking. Bacon gets that and the narrative is exceptional because of it.
And yes, Bacon does remember to discuss Gordon Lightfoot's The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Like the song, I think the families of the Mighty Fitz would heartily approve of this book.
(This book was provided as an advance reader copy by NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company/Liveright.)
November 6, 2025
🎵"Does anyone know where the love of God goes
when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
if they'd put fifteen more miles behind her."🎵
--excerpt from 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' by singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot
This week marks the golden anniversary (though that exact phrasing sounds too upbeat, given the events) of the tragic sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, with its 'end of watch' date being 10 November 1975. A particularly large and state-of-the-art freshwater vessel that was the pride of the Cleveland, Ohio-based Columbia Transportation fleet, 'the Fitz' was a workhorse freighter that routinely carried the cargo of taconite - an iron ore off-shoot - from the mines to the ports throughout the Great Lakes region of the midwestern U.S. Captained by dually respected and seasoned Ernest McSorley (who sounds like he was one exceptional skipper, and just an all-around good man), his crew of twenty-eight men - a solid mixture of maritime veterans and some fresh-faced newbies - met their untimely demise during a 'once-in-a-century' hurricane-level storm that struck during the ship's final scheduled voyage of that shipping season. Author/journalist Bacon - again demonstrating the similar care he exhibited with his earlier and exceptional work The Great Halifax Explosion - once again brings history alive in his equally outstanding The Gales of November. Along with my quoting the lyrics above, it is sort of impossible NOT to repeatedly reference - see also the book's title - the elegiac words of singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot (whom my astute father has referred to as 'a Canadian Bob Dylan') from his respectful 1976 folk-rock ballad homage to the good ship and its crew. Bacon is wonderfully descriptive and thorough in his depiction of local history and color, the veritable dangers lurking just below the surface (so to speak) of lake-based transporting industry and its many various professions, plus includes enough pertinent detail at times to make it seem like his readers are often right alongside actual crew members on the craft. But, again quoting the late Mr. Lightfoot, Bacon concludes his narrative by soberly but yet strongly focusing on many of "the faces and names of the wives and sons and daughters", who were suddenly bereft of their beloved husbands and/or fathers on that devastating day fifty years ago.
when the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searchers all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
if they'd put fifteen more miles behind her."🎵
--excerpt from 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,' by singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot
This week marks the golden anniversary (though that exact phrasing sounds too upbeat, given the events) of the tragic sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior, with its 'end of watch' date being 10 November 1975. A particularly large and state-of-the-art freshwater vessel that was the pride of the Cleveland, Ohio-based Columbia Transportation fleet, 'the Fitz' was a workhorse freighter that routinely carried the cargo of taconite - an iron ore off-shoot - from the mines to the ports throughout the Great Lakes region of the midwestern U.S. Captained by dually respected and seasoned Ernest McSorley (who sounds like he was one exceptional skipper, and just an all-around good man), his crew of twenty-eight men - a solid mixture of maritime veterans and some fresh-faced newbies - met their untimely demise during a 'once-in-a-century' hurricane-level storm that struck during the ship's final scheduled voyage of that shipping season. Author/journalist Bacon - again demonstrating the similar care he exhibited with his earlier and exceptional work The Great Halifax Explosion - once again brings history alive in his equally outstanding The Gales of November. Along with my quoting the lyrics above, it is sort of impossible NOT to repeatedly reference - see also the book's title - the elegiac words of singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot (whom my astute father has referred to as 'a Canadian Bob Dylan') from his respectful 1976 folk-rock ballad homage to the good ship and its crew. Bacon is wonderfully descriptive and thorough in his depiction of local history and color, the veritable dangers lurking just below the surface (so to speak) of lake-based transporting industry and its many various professions, plus includes enough pertinent detail at times to make it seem like his readers are often right alongside actual crew members on the craft. But, again quoting the late Mr. Lightfoot, Bacon concludes his narrative by soberly but yet strongly focusing on many of "the faces and names of the wives and sons and daughters", who were suddenly bereft of their beloved husbands and/or fathers on that devastating day fifty years ago.
June 20, 2026
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
The above is taken from the iconic ballad, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot and that is how I first became aware of the tragedy of the "Mighty Fitz". She was the biggest and most modern of the Great Lakes shipping vessels and held many records for speed and amounts of cargo (iron ore) carried. Her captain, Ernest McSorley, was considered the best of the best and his ship was the queen of the Great Lakes.
McSorley was retiring and his last trip began on November 9, 1975 as he headed for Whitefish Point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. One day into the voyage, the "storm of the century" was descending on the lake from two directions and most ships were already taking cover in secluded ports. Not so the Mighty Fitz, as McSorley believed he could reach his destination without incident. It was the worst decision he could have made.
This history covers not only the eventual sinking and loss of all aboard but provides the reader with interesting information about the crew, the ship itself, and the lifestyle and environment of the Great Lakes shipping community. There is much more that could be included in this review but my suggestion is to read it. It is so well written and will give you a better understanding of the why and how the Mighty Fitz challenged the gales of November and lost.
On the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
The above is taken from the iconic ballad, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot and that is how I first became aware of the tragedy of the "Mighty Fitz". She was the biggest and most modern of the Great Lakes shipping vessels and held many records for speed and amounts of cargo (iron ore) carried. Her captain, Ernest McSorley, was considered the best of the best and his ship was the queen of the Great Lakes.
McSorley was retiring and his last trip began on November 9, 1975 as he headed for Whitefish Point on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. One day into the voyage, the "storm of the century" was descending on the lake from two directions and most ships were already taking cover in secluded ports. Not so the Mighty Fitz, as McSorley believed he could reach his destination without incident. It was the worst decision he could have made.
This history covers not only the eventual sinking and loss of all aboard but provides the reader with interesting information about the crew, the ship itself, and the lifestyle and environment of the Great Lakes shipping community. There is much more that could be included in this review but my suggestion is to read it. It is so well written and will give you a better understanding of the why and how the Mighty Fitz challenged the gales of November and lost.
June 11, 2026
I had no idea how emotional this would be for me.
Detailed review coming.
Detailed review coming.
October 6, 2025
I got the audiobook for review.
What I loved about the book is that it both describes and explain the ship and all the fact and history around that but at the same time discusses the people affected in a way that makes the tragedy really emotional and it was easier taking in the story as it felt more personal. I enjoyed the narration and it was a great book.
What I loved about the book is that it both describes and explain the ship and all the fact and history around that but at the same time discusses the people affected in a way that makes the tragedy really emotional and it was easier taking in the story as it felt more personal. I enjoyed the narration and it was a great book.
October 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
Gales of November by John U. Bacon
Come on, everyone — you remember the haunting song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” This excellent history book gives readers the full story behind that tragic shipwreck on Lake Superior in November of 1975 — now approaching its 50th anniversary. Like so many others, I’ve been fascinated by the Fitz ever since I first heard Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad as a kid, and John U. Bacon’s deeply researched account brings that fascination to life with vivid storytelling and deep compassion.
My wife and I were lucky enough to attend an author event with Bacon at one of our favorite bookstores, and he was outstanding. A natural storyteller, he spoke for over an hour about his five years of meticulous research — sharing touching, funny, and at times heartbreaking stories. A true Michigan guy through and through, Bacon’s passion for the Great Lakes and for U-of-M sports both shine through. He interviewed nearly everyone connected to the tragedy — Great Lakes shipping survivors, rescuers, family members, Coast Guard personnel — and wove their voices together into something that feels both intimate and epic.
Bacon’s writing style reminded me of Studs Terkel: a rich oral history coupled with a gripping, page-turning narrative. Having spent much of my life living along the Great Lakes, I felt personally connected to this story. A few summers ago, my family and I took a Lake Superior circle trip and visited the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Standing at sunset, looking out over that immense, beautiful lake and knowing the Fitzgerald lies just fifteen miles offshore — it was haunting. Reading Bacon’s book brought all of that back.
And here’s a treat: Bacon devotes an entire chapter to Gordon Lightfoot and the story behind one of his biggest hits. For anyone who grew up with that song echoing in their mind, it’s worth the price of the book alone. Yes, I just played the hit once more! I think folks would be surprised at what an extensive catalog Gordon Lightfoot has.
The print edition is beautifully produced, full of striking photos that add even more weight to the narrative. My only real gripe is with the audiobook — a handful of mispronunciations that pulled me out of the moment. That cost the book a star. Still, Gales of November is a moving, powerful read — part history, part elegy — and an absolute must for anyone fascinated by the Great Lakes or the enduring legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Gales of November by John U. Bacon
Come on, everyone — you remember the haunting song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” This excellent history book gives readers the full story behind that tragic shipwreck on Lake Superior in November of 1975 — now approaching its 50th anniversary. Like so many others, I’ve been fascinated by the Fitz ever since I first heard Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad as a kid, and John U. Bacon’s deeply researched account brings that fascination to life with vivid storytelling and deep compassion.
My wife and I were lucky enough to attend an author event with Bacon at one of our favorite bookstores, and he was outstanding. A natural storyteller, he spoke for over an hour about his five years of meticulous research — sharing touching, funny, and at times heartbreaking stories. A true Michigan guy through and through, Bacon’s passion for the Great Lakes and for U-of-M sports both shine through. He interviewed nearly everyone connected to the tragedy — Great Lakes shipping survivors, rescuers, family members, Coast Guard personnel — and wove their voices together into something that feels both intimate and epic.
Bacon’s writing style reminded me of Studs Terkel: a rich oral history coupled with a gripping, page-turning narrative. Having spent much of my life living along the Great Lakes, I felt personally connected to this story. A few summers ago, my family and I took a Lake Superior circle trip and visited the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Standing at sunset, looking out over that immense, beautiful lake and knowing the Fitzgerald lies just fifteen miles offshore — it was haunting. Reading Bacon’s book brought all of that back.
And here’s a treat: Bacon devotes an entire chapter to Gordon Lightfoot and the story behind one of his biggest hits. For anyone who grew up with that song echoing in their mind, it’s worth the price of the book alone. Yes, I just played the hit once more! I think folks would be surprised at what an extensive catalog Gordon Lightfoot has.
The print edition is beautifully produced, full of striking photos that add even more weight to the narrative. My only real gripe is with the audiobook — a handful of mispronunciations that pulled me out of the moment. That cost the book a star. Still, Gales of November is a moving, powerful read — part history, part elegy — and an absolute must for anyone fascinated by the Great Lakes or the enduring legend of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
November 22, 2025
This is an amazing book about the sinking of the freighter Edmund Fitzgerald near Whitefish Bay on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. It describes the hazards of the Great Lakes and some of the other notable wrecks but concentrates on the captain, crew and family members. One thing that is clear, the boat did not sink due to one factor. I have taught classes on emergency response for over 30 years. Most emergencies are a combination of factors that combine in what is known as the 'Swiss cheese' theory.
It is clear that the captain was renowned for his skill and well-liked by his crew. The crew was an excellent crew. The ship was well maintained. As the song says - "she was the pride of the American side". Despite these factors the ship was overloaded, modifications had been made by regulators to favor the shipping companies to allow for heavier loads. On the night of the sinking the ship was on an unfamiliar route and in extreme storm conditions. A change in anyone of several factors and the ship would have arrived safely in port.
I also find it amazing that due to changes in the shipping industry following the wreck, not a single commercial ship has gone down on Lake Superior. The ship owners are more cognizant of the risks and the macho attitude of the captains has been changed.
This is an excellent book. If you are interested shipwrecks, the Great Lakes, disasters or simply want to know more about the accident that spawned the No. 1 song by Gordan Lightfoot, this is a not to miss book.
It is clear that the captain was renowned for his skill and well-liked by his crew. The crew was an excellent crew. The ship was well maintained. As the song says - "she was the pride of the American side". Despite these factors the ship was overloaded, modifications had been made by regulators to favor the shipping companies to allow for heavier loads. On the night of the sinking the ship was on an unfamiliar route and in extreme storm conditions. A change in anyone of several factors and the ship would have arrived safely in port.
I also find it amazing that due to changes in the shipping industry following the wreck, not a single commercial ship has gone down on Lake Superior. The ship owners are more cognizant of the risks and the macho attitude of the captains has been changed.
This is an excellent book. If you are interested shipwrecks, the Great Lakes, disasters or simply want to know more about the accident that spawned the No. 1 song by Gordan Lightfoot, this is a not to miss book.
February 11, 2026
“The Gales of November” by John U. Bacon was a fascinating study about the tragedy of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in November of 1975. It also educates the reader on the growth of commerce on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Superior, and the importance of shipping in general and the Edmund Fitzgerald in particular. But it cautions that success on the Great Lakes is reliant on weather that can take a nasty turn in minutes.
The Great Lakes have been important for business in the midwest since the 1800s. It was used by fur traders so successfully that it nearly wiped out whole animal populations. Bigger boats could transfer animal pelts faster than travel on land. When the industrial revolution began iron ore deposits in states like Minnesota were discovered near the Great Lakes and were shipped to states with a burgeoning steel industry and grew major cities in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. And other industries boomed as well. The auto industry built the city of Detroit. As the iron ore and steel and auto industries grew so did the ships needed to carry the products on the Great Lakes.
And so did the size and speed of the ships. When insurance company Northwestern Mutual invested in shipping it ordered the largest ship on the Great Lakes to be built and named it after the company’s president. The Edmund Fitzgerald was built in 1958, was the length of a 73 story building and could carry 26,000 tons. Think about that. For several years it led all ships in terms of tonnage hauled. It was also a beautiful ship with all the latest amenities; air conditioning, televisions in the crew’s rooms, and a galley with the best meals on the Great Lakes suitable for entertaining local notables. And it also led the Great Lakes in profitability, at least until the next biggest ship was built.
Shipping has been shown to be the cheapest way to transport a product and sea captains knew that time was money. They routinely overloaded their ships and raced across the Great Lakes to deliver its products so that it could fill up and make a return delivery. The Edmund Fitzgerald attracted the top captains and the most competent crews. Even after larger and faster ships were built the Edmund Fitzgerald was the ship that all sailors aspired to sail on.
Ships can sail on the Great Lakes into January before the seas begin to freeze up. The Edmund Fitzgerald planned on making its last run of the season in November before turning the ship over for repairs and maintenance. On its last voyage it once again overloaded and set sail across Lake Superior. Little did it know that there were two storm systems, one in the Southwest making its way Northeast and another from Canada, that were set to converge on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, right in the Edmund Fitzgerald’s path.
The last voyage started out normal but it soon seemed that whatever could go wrong, did. The seas began to get rough with waves averaging 40 feet, but some as high as 60 feet, crashing on the deck. Water began to get into the boat, weighing it down further. As the storm worsened visibility decreased and the ship lost its radar. It was also informed that a landmark lighthouse had lost its power due to the storm. The Edmund Fitzgerald was sailing blind. So blind that it might have sailed over some shoals and cut a hole in the ship. Whatever the reason, the Edmund Fitzgerald never made it to port.
“The Gates of November” though tragic is a terrific book. In it you get to meet members of the 29-man crew and the families they left behind. And of course, what book about the Edmund Fitzgerald would be complete without discussing the Gordon Lightfoot song. As the author notes in an interview, there would be no book without the song which spotlights a sea tragedy every bit as legendary as the sinking of the Titanic, the Lusitania, or the Andrea Doria. It’s also worth noting that prior to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald some 6,000 ships littered the bottoms of the Great Lakes. Since 1975 with all the safety precautions put into effect on the Great Lakes there has not been one shipwreck.
The Great Lakes have been important for business in the midwest since the 1800s. It was used by fur traders so successfully that it nearly wiped out whole animal populations. Bigger boats could transfer animal pelts faster than travel on land. When the industrial revolution began iron ore deposits in states like Minnesota were discovered near the Great Lakes and were shipped to states with a burgeoning steel industry and grew major cities in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. And other industries boomed as well. The auto industry built the city of Detroit. As the iron ore and steel and auto industries grew so did the ships needed to carry the products on the Great Lakes.
And so did the size and speed of the ships. When insurance company Northwestern Mutual invested in shipping it ordered the largest ship on the Great Lakes to be built and named it after the company’s president. The Edmund Fitzgerald was built in 1958, was the length of a 73 story building and could carry 26,000 tons. Think about that. For several years it led all ships in terms of tonnage hauled. It was also a beautiful ship with all the latest amenities; air conditioning, televisions in the crew’s rooms, and a galley with the best meals on the Great Lakes suitable for entertaining local notables. And it also led the Great Lakes in profitability, at least until the next biggest ship was built.
Shipping has been shown to be the cheapest way to transport a product and sea captains knew that time was money. They routinely overloaded their ships and raced across the Great Lakes to deliver its products so that it could fill up and make a return delivery. The Edmund Fitzgerald attracted the top captains and the most competent crews. Even after larger and faster ships were built the Edmund Fitzgerald was the ship that all sailors aspired to sail on.
Ships can sail on the Great Lakes into January before the seas begin to freeze up. The Edmund Fitzgerald planned on making its last run of the season in November before turning the ship over for repairs and maintenance. On its last voyage it once again overloaded and set sail across Lake Superior. Little did it know that there were two storm systems, one in the Southwest making its way Northeast and another from Canada, that were set to converge on the Canadian side of Lake Superior, right in the Edmund Fitzgerald’s path.
The last voyage started out normal but it soon seemed that whatever could go wrong, did. The seas began to get rough with waves averaging 40 feet, but some as high as 60 feet, crashing on the deck. Water began to get into the boat, weighing it down further. As the storm worsened visibility decreased and the ship lost its radar. It was also informed that a landmark lighthouse had lost its power due to the storm. The Edmund Fitzgerald was sailing blind. So blind that it might have sailed over some shoals and cut a hole in the ship. Whatever the reason, the Edmund Fitzgerald never made it to port.
“The Gates of November” though tragic is a terrific book. In it you get to meet members of the 29-man crew and the families they left behind. And of course, what book about the Edmund Fitzgerald would be complete without discussing the Gordon Lightfoot song. As the author notes in an interview, there would be no book without the song which spotlights a sea tragedy every bit as legendary as the sinking of the Titanic, the Lusitania, or the Andrea Doria. It’s also worth noting that prior to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald some 6,000 ships littered the bottoms of the Great Lakes. Since 1975 with all the safety precautions put into effect on the Great Lakes there has not been one shipwreck.
August 7, 2025
When I was a kid, my dad often played “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” by Gordon Lightfoot. In my head, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank in the 1700s. I don’t remember how old I was when I realized that The Fitz actually sank *in my lifetime* but I was older than I should have been and now I can’t stop thinking about it.
A dear friend found this ARC for me on a free shelf at The Whispering Shelf in Indianapolis. I was THRILLED.
I’ll start by saying that I am not typically a non-fiction reader. I tend to want to take notes and fact check. I enjoyed learning about the geography and weather patterns of the Great Lakes. I felt like I needed a chart to help me keep track of the crew members and their back stories (not a complaint…this is important information.) Bacon gives us lots of background info, which is great. But I feel like where the book is most powerful is when it takes you on that final fateful voyage. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about it (“Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”) I woke up this morning and wept through the last 60 pages of the book.
I highly recommend this for fans of the song and lovers of the Great Lakes. It’s terrifying and fascinating and heartbreaking, a lovely tribute as we approach the 50th anniversary of the sinking.
A dear friend found this ARC for me on a free shelf at The Whispering Shelf in Indianapolis. I was THRILLED.
I’ll start by saying that I am not typically a non-fiction reader. I tend to want to take notes and fact check. I enjoyed learning about the geography and weather patterns of the Great Lakes. I felt like I needed a chart to help me keep track of the crew members and their back stories (not a complaint…this is important information.) Bacon gives us lots of background info, which is great. But I feel like where the book is most powerful is when it takes you on that final fateful voyage. I couldn’t sleep last night thinking about it (“Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”) I woke up this morning and wept through the last 60 pages of the book.
I highly recommend this for fans of the song and lovers of the Great Lakes. It’s terrifying and fascinating and heartbreaking, a lovely tribute as we approach the 50th anniversary of the sinking.
June 14, 2026
Bacon gives us a dramatic narrative of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s harrowing final voyage into “the storm of the century.” 29 men went down with her when she sank on Lake Superior in 1975. There were no survivors. Bacon’s post mortem analyzing contributing factors raises a myriad of questions from the ship’s design to communication and weather service systems, the company’s standards and the captain’s judgement. But there is not a clear answer as to exactly what caused the ship to sink. All of these seem to be involved. The unsettled questions leave us pondering the various possibilities.
Background information takes up most of this well researched book. Bacon explains how fresh water affects ships in storms differently than salt water. He describes past storms on the lake and the stories of ships that sank in them. He discusses the design considerations in building the ship and how safety was balanced with profit. We learn the roles and responsibilities of the captain and crew and what the shipping company expected from them. These topics help us understand what the men and the ship faced in severe weather and how they would handle it. Having been through some bad storms while serving on a Navy destroyer, the discussions held a special interest for me.
Bacon makes sure we get to know the down-to-earth Midwesterners who are the captain and crew, though his descriptions tend to be Norman Rockwellian. He tells us about their personal lives, their upbringing, their friends, families and future plans. We can feel the tragedy of the men that died and the grief of their loved ones. Other topics were ancillary but interesting such as history of iron ore shipping on the Great Lakes and its impact on industrialization in cities on the Great Lakes particularly Detroit. My notes follow.
When built in 1958 the Fitz was “the Queen of the Great Lakes.” It was the largest ship on the lakes at 729 feet long and 75 feet wide with a 27-foot draft. The Fitz was designed to just fit through the Soo Locks to carry as much ore or taconite as possible. Its length would put great stress on the hull in rough seas. It was designed to flex which meant sagging ends (hogging) or a sagging middle (sagging) depending on the its position relative to the waves. It could hold up to 30,000 long tons of ore and carry over 1,200,000 long tons a season making it very profitable. The Fitz was also fitted with luxury cabins for VIPs with TVs and air conditioning (a real treat in 1958). While not luxury, the crew’s quarters were much better than those on other Great Lakes freighters to attract the best people.
Captain and crew worked continuously 9 months of the year making 45 round trips. The sailors got some hours in port as the ship was loaded (took five hours) or unloaded (took 14 hours) in a highly mechanized process. They would line up to call home from the phone booth on the dock taking turns, then hit the bars nearest the docks in cities like Two Harbors, Duluth, Toledo and Detroit. “Bum Boats” would pull up alongside with all kinds of things to sell. The crewmembers were well paid but they worked long and hard. They had little time to spend it although a poker game could take it quickly. Interestingly since they didn’t have phones or other diversions many spent extra time reading. A boat library would meet ships approaching the Soo Locks and send over a cart of books. A Post Office ship delivered mail.
In the 3 months off in winter the sailors rekindled relationships with friends and family. For those married and their families, the transitions leaving for a 9 month’s a year and returning for 3 months could be particularly difficult. But those who stuck with it also looked on the ship and crew as their home and family. Bacon describes the daily routines of the crew and their onboard relationships. The ship was well run which he credits to Captain McSorley who was seasoned, inclusive and supportive of the crew.
I’m using the spoiler alert for a synopsis of the Fitz’s final voyage and possible causes for its demise. The ship’s last trip takes only 60 pages of the 400-page book, but it is the most engaging part of the book. Reading all the background and analysis that comes before adds to your understanding and appreciation of what happened.
Bacon describes the grief of family and friends to the news, how they coped with their loss, and went on with their lives. Particularly poignant is the story of Cyndi Reynolds, a seventeen-year-old girlfriend of Fitz deckhand, Bruce Hudson. She realized she was pregnant shortly before the ship’s departure. She and Bruce had planned to move in together and raise the child as soon as he returned. Bruce’s mother, Ruth, was still grieving her loss, when after the birth Cyndi called her. Ruth had not known Cyndi was pregnant with Bruce’s child. Ruth found out she had a new granddaughter and Cyndi found a lasting friendship for her and her daughter.
Bacon also tells the story Canadian singer Gordan Lightfoot’s development of the song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and what it meant to the families. Lightfoot never expected it to became a hit song. He had often spent time on Lake Superior and took a strong interest in the tragedy. Lightfoot took great pains to be accurate even changing some lyrics when later findings showed them to be inaccurate. He maintained relationships with many family members.
Unlike the many other ship sinkings on the lakes, this one got everybody’s attention. The Fitz still had its “the Queen of the Great lakes” reputation. The tragedy led to numerous reforms making the Fitz the last commercial ship to sink in the Great Lakes. Systems to ensure the ships got frequent and timely weather information were implemented. Communication systems and radars for the ships and shore stations were brought up to date. New cautionary practices were adopted to avoid serious storms and seek shelter if one approached. That alone would have saved the Fitz.
Background information takes up most of this well researched book. Bacon explains how fresh water affects ships in storms differently than salt water. He describes past storms on the lake and the stories of ships that sank in them. He discusses the design considerations in building the ship and how safety was balanced with profit. We learn the roles and responsibilities of the captain and crew and what the shipping company expected from them. These topics help us understand what the men and the ship faced in severe weather and how they would handle it. Having been through some bad storms while serving on a Navy destroyer, the discussions held a special interest for me.
Bacon makes sure we get to know the down-to-earth Midwesterners who are the captain and crew, though his descriptions tend to be Norman Rockwellian. He tells us about their personal lives, their upbringing, their friends, families and future plans. We can feel the tragedy of the men that died and the grief of their loved ones. Other topics were ancillary but interesting such as history of iron ore shipping on the Great Lakes and its impact on industrialization in cities on the Great Lakes particularly Detroit. My notes follow.
When built in 1958 the Fitz was “the Queen of the Great Lakes.” It was the largest ship on the lakes at 729 feet long and 75 feet wide with a 27-foot draft. The Fitz was designed to just fit through the Soo Locks to carry as much ore or taconite as possible. Its length would put great stress on the hull in rough seas. It was designed to flex which meant sagging ends (hogging) or a sagging middle (sagging) depending on the its position relative to the waves. It could hold up to 30,000 long tons of ore and carry over 1,200,000 long tons a season making it very profitable. The Fitz was also fitted with luxury cabins for VIPs with TVs and air conditioning (a real treat in 1958). While not luxury, the crew’s quarters were much better than those on other Great Lakes freighters to attract the best people.
Captain and crew worked continuously 9 months of the year making 45 round trips. The sailors got some hours in port as the ship was loaded (took five hours) or unloaded (took 14 hours) in a highly mechanized process. They would line up to call home from the phone booth on the dock taking turns, then hit the bars nearest the docks in cities like Two Harbors, Duluth, Toledo and Detroit. “Bum Boats” would pull up alongside with all kinds of things to sell. The crewmembers were well paid but they worked long and hard. They had little time to spend it although a poker game could take it quickly. Interestingly since they didn’t have phones or other diversions many spent extra time reading. A boat library would meet ships approaching the Soo Locks and send over a cart of books. A Post Office ship delivered mail.
In the 3 months off in winter the sailors rekindled relationships with friends and family. For those married and their families, the transitions leaving for a 9 month’s a year and returning for 3 months could be particularly difficult. But those who stuck with it also looked on the ship and crew as their home and family. Bacon describes the daily routines of the crew and their onboard relationships. The ship was well run which he credits to Captain McSorley who was seasoned, inclusive and supportive of the crew.
I’m using the spoiler alert for a synopsis of the Fitz’s final voyage and possible causes for its demise. The ship’s last trip takes only 60 pages of the 400-page book, but it is the most engaging part of the book. Reading all the background and analysis that comes before adds to your understanding and appreciation of what happened.
Bacon describes the grief of family and friends to the news, how they coped with their loss, and went on with their lives. Particularly poignant is the story of Cyndi Reynolds, a seventeen-year-old girlfriend of Fitz deckhand, Bruce Hudson. She realized she was pregnant shortly before the ship’s departure. She and Bruce had planned to move in together and raise the child as soon as he returned. Bruce’s mother, Ruth, was still grieving her loss, when after the birth Cyndi called her. Ruth had not known Cyndi was pregnant with Bruce’s child. Ruth found out she had a new granddaughter and Cyndi found a lasting friendship for her and her daughter.
Bacon also tells the story Canadian singer Gordan Lightfoot’s development of the song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” and what it meant to the families. Lightfoot never expected it to became a hit song. He had often spent time on Lake Superior and took a strong interest in the tragedy. Lightfoot took great pains to be accurate even changing some lyrics when later findings showed them to be inaccurate. He maintained relationships with many family members.
Unlike the many other ship sinkings on the lakes, this one got everybody’s attention. The Fitz still had its “the Queen of the Great lakes” reputation. The tragedy led to numerous reforms making the Fitz the last commercial ship to sink in the Great Lakes. Systems to ensure the ships got frequent and timely weather information were implemented. Communication systems and radars for the ships and shore stations were brought up to date. New cautionary practices were adopted to avoid serious storms and seek shelter if one approached. That alone would have saved the Fitz.
October 21, 2025
Apparently I've reached the age where I want to read books about shipwrecks and this book only fed that appetite. John Bacon has a very succinct way of writing that camouflages the fact that he's going very deep into the subject matter. The book not only paints a vivid picture of the final voyage of the Fitz, but he also presents an intricate and fascinating foray into the history of Great Lake shipping. While some books are laden with technical jargon that only maritime enthusiasts would understand, Bacon makes it easy for the landlubber to follow and grasp the significance of the details he provides about shipping, the ships themselves, and the brave men who are the backbone of the industry. Bacon does a laudatory job at telling the stories of the men and, just as important, the families who lost their loved ones. With the 50th anniversary of this famous wreck approaching, this thrilling and solemn volume serves as a powerful tribute to those men.
November 23, 2025
Well, I finished this very well written book this morning and I guess I cried about 3 times. There is one section where I kept on crying for 6 or 7 pages so be warned that it is very sad. I knew nothing about all this until we heard the song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot. He is a great song writer. I was also alerted by reading Darla's reviews. I would have missed out on it if I had not found her review. I immediately purchased a copy of it.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
July 2, 2026
John U. Baker's The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald represents a long & winding journalistic attempt to unwind the details of the sinking of a seemingly unsinkable freighter laden with iron ore, at the time the largest carrier on any of the Great Lakes.
Neither the size nor the tally of lives lost on the American vessel, Edmund Fitzgerald in November 1975 rival the tragedy of the British ship, R.M.S. Titanic in April 1912, though both represented tragic losses on an historic scale. However, between 1875 & 1975, 6,000 ships perished & more than 30,000 sailors were lost on the Great Lakes.
The author interweaves the story of the large ore-boat's creation, built & insured by one & the same company, with the lives of those on board for its final voyage, encountering what was said to have been a "hundred year storm". We learn the difference between sailing within an ocean's salt water environment and a transit amidst the fresh water of the Great Lakes.
Severe storms on the Great Lakes are exceedingly treacherous, rather like the force of a hurricane and can destroy even a strong ship. And yet, we are told that sailors in smaller boats tend to overestimate the size of waves, while professional sailors on large freighters underestimate their severity. And:
But, there was good chemistry between Captain Ernest McSorley & his engineer; in fact the Edmund Fitzgerald was seen as a "happy ship", with the sailors both above & below the decks being on good terms with one another. While the above deck & below deck roles were not interchangeable, sailing with McSorley was a coveted assignment, both because of the ship's reputation and because McSorley, unlike some captains, was not an iron-fisted taskmaster.
We learn the stories of each man on board the Edmund Fitzgerald with Captain McSorley on its fateful last voyage, each sailing with the hope of padding their paychecks in preparation for the holiday season and a long winter's rest ashore.
Recent online reports have seemed to indicate that the ship's hatch covers had been torn loose by the gale-force winds, with the replacements less strong than the originals. When the water began to pour in, it caused the ship to become too heavy to support itself afloat; mixing water from the lake with the taconite iron ore being transported, at some point the ship broke into two.
I discovered an indication that the tragedy of the Edmund Fitzgerald was due to the physical imperfection of the ship, not due to poor seamanship or even the sea. However, the vessel was built long but slim, this in order to fit through the locks, thus causing it to be potentially vulnerable.
In the midst of impending doom, Captain McSorley's last words to a nearby vessel that made it to port safely were, "We are holding our own", appearing stoic in the extreme. There seems no fitting epitaph for the loss of such an esteemed ship & all who toiled on board the Edmund Fitzgerald.
But the Gordon Lightfoot song honoring the lost freighter & its men serves that function for many, as does the fact that following the discovery of the sunken Edmund Fitzgerald many years after its tragic sinking, her bell was transported to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Michigan, forever honoring the lives of Great Lakes sailors.
*Within my review are the images of author, John U. Bacon; the ore boat's captain, Ernest McSorley; the Edmund Fitzgerald while safely in port; lastly the recovered bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. **There is a 5 page color insert within the book, including images of the ore boat & its lost crew members.
Neither the size nor the tally of lives lost on the American vessel, Edmund Fitzgerald in November 1975 rival the tragedy of the British ship, R.M.S. Titanic in April 1912, though both represented tragic losses on an historic scale. However, between 1875 & 1975, 6,000 ships perished & more than 30,000 sailors were lost on the Great Lakes.
The author interweaves the story of the large ore-boat's creation, built & insured by one & the same company, with the lives of those on board for its final voyage, encountering what was said to have been a "hundred year storm". We learn the difference between sailing within an ocean's salt water environment and a transit amidst the fresh water of the Great Lakes.
Severe storms on the Great Lakes are exceedingly treacherous, rather like the force of a hurricane and can destroy even a strong ship. And yet, we are told that sailors in smaller boats tend to overestimate the size of waves, while professional sailors on large freighters underestimate their severity. And:
Wind speed doesn't increase a wave's power proportionately but does so exponentially, with wave heights increasing as a function of wind speed squared. Thus, if the wind speed doubles, wave heights increase by a factor of five. And, that doesn't even factor in "rogue waves" that are asymmetrical & therefore far more perilous. In short, the Great Lakes can be far more hazardous than the oceans.The reader is told that the captain of an ore-vessel is "like a pitcher on a baseball team and the engineer is like the catcher", with the author explaining that "the pitcher sees the catcher & the batter but the catcher sees the whole field." A good engineer sees everything on the ship and can make the captain's life easy or miserable.
But, there was good chemistry between Captain Ernest McSorley & his engineer; in fact the Edmund Fitzgerald was seen as a "happy ship", with the sailors both above & below the decks being on good terms with one another. While the above deck & below deck roles were not interchangeable, sailing with McSorley was a coveted assignment, both because of the ship's reputation and because McSorley, unlike some captains, was not an iron-fisted taskmaster.
We learn the stories of each man on board the Edmund Fitzgerald with Captain McSorley on its fateful last voyage, each sailing with the hope of padding their paychecks in preparation for the holiday season and a long winter's rest ashore.
Everybody on board had their own story of how they got there. A ship, even a good one like the Fitz, is sort of like the "Island of Misfit Toys". Some were going toward something they always wanted to do. Others had troubles they were running away from. Maybe some were both.
Recent online reports have seemed to indicate that the ship's hatch covers had been torn loose by the gale-force winds, with the replacements less strong than the originals. When the water began to pour in, it caused the ship to become too heavy to support itself afloat; mixing water from the lake with the taconite iron ore being transported, at some point the ship broke into two.
I discovered an indication that the tragedy of the Edmund Fitzgerald was due to the physical imperfection of the ship, not due to poor seamanship or even the sea. However, the vessel was built long but slim, this in order to fit through the locks, thus causing it to be potentially vulnerable.
On the Great Lakes, a ship that long can impale its bow in one wave, which can lift it up 30 feet or more, while the ship's stern can be simultaneously stuck in the wave coming right behind it, raising the ship's back end in the air another 30 feet, leaving its midsection, which could be loaded with 58 million tons of iron ore suspended between the two waves, with nothing supporting it. That creates a phenomenon called "sagging", exerting a tremendous strain on the hull, even a reinforced hull.The firm that built the ship seemed exceedingly callous in dealing with her demise, particularly so with regard to the loved ones left behind. Their company loss was a financial one, covered by insurance, while they failed to properly respond to the loss of the mariners on board the ore boat, nor to those ashore who mourned their own life-altering loss.
In the midst of impending doom, Captain McSorley's last words to a nearby vessel that made it to port safely were, "We are holding our own", appearing stoic in the extreme. There seems no fitting epitaph for the loss of such an esteemed ship & all who toiled on board the Edmund Fitzgerald.
But the Gordon Lightfoot song honoring the lost freighter & its men serves that function for many, as does the fact that following the discovery of the sunken Edmund Fitzgerald many years after its tragic sinking, her bell was transported to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Michigan, forever honoring the lives of Great Lakes sailors.
*Within my review are the images of author, John U. Bacon; the ore boat's captain, Ernest McSorley; the Edmund Fitzgerald while safely in port; lastly the recovered bell of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. **There is a 5 page color insert within the book, including images of the ore boat & its lost crew members.
October 23, 2025
really empathetic and respectful of the victims and their families, I enjoyed the focus on the different crew members lives etc
however, while I appreciate the breadth of info here and the amount of context, the point remains that they don’t even get to the storm until the 70% mark. like yeah it’s all connected but also do we really need to start with the Detroit auto industry. I also found it very repetitive, which as there was a huge cast of characters plus a lot of technical knowledge was understandable but there were a few times where the same sentence would appear multiple different times verbatim and it got distracting
however, while I appreciate the breadth of info here and the amount of context, the point remains that they don’t even get to the storm until the 70% mark. like yeah it’s all connected but also do we really need to start with the Detroit auto industry. I also found it very repetitive, which as there was a huge cast of characters plus a lot of technical knowledge was understandable but there were a few times where the same sentence would appear multiple different times verbatim and it got distracting
December 10, 2025
Today, 11/10/25, is the 50th anniversary of the tragedy of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. My heartfelt sympathy to those who lost a loved one due to it.
The Edmund Fitzgerald, I had heard about it in a vague, not sure what it is way. Then I Buddy Read this with a friend and WOW.
This book was nothing short of amazing. The author really made those 29 men who died when the Fitzgerald went down into real people for the reader to get to know and also captured the feelings of those left behind, in a respectful and non-predatory way.
I listened to the audio book and you could tell that the narrator felt it too, as he would sound a little...verklempt when reading about the men and the tragedy of their loss. I was verklempt too. It's such a moving story and honestly, it was a tragedy that didn't have to happen.
It wasn't just ONE thing that doomed the Fitzgerald, it was a whole cascade of things. All of the dominos fell in the right, or in this case wrong, way, adding up to the tragic end. Though the Petty Officer in the US Coast Guard who out right IGNORED all of the distress calls, from the Fitzgerald as WELL as other ships in the area, well...there is a special circle nice and warm for him, I am sure.
It is going to be shared with the callus millionaire who had a video expedition to the wreckage site, bringing back video of the wreck and of one of the men, in his life vest, and harassing the loved ones left behind for their "blessing" to release the video and obtain more to make it into a sensationalist money maker for him. He is the reason the surviving loved ones fought to make it a designated National Cemetery so no one can legally be that ghoulish about their loved ones final resting place.
The song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot lives rent-free in my head BTW. The song is AMAZING and it tells the story in such a sensitive and visual way, it's no wonder the song was number 2 on the charts when it came out! He was also very respectful of those left behind, being as honest and current with the information in the song as he could be. When new information came out, when he performed the song live, he would alter incorrect original lyrics to corrected ones.
He became friends with many of the surviving family and friends and even spoke to Aunt Ruth, who lost her only child on the Fitzgerald, on the day before the 40th anniversary of the sinking, when she was ill and said she wanted to die then, so she could be in Heaven with her son to watch the remembrance ceremony with him. She did. (I'm not tearing up and blowing my nose now, YOU are.)
This book was nothing short of amazing, educational and, above all, respectful of those still living. He did state a couple of times that not all of the surviving family made it out intact, some crawled into the bottom of a bottle and never came out, but he doesn't get salacious or name names or try to vilify anyone. Everyone has their way of coping with grief, some better than others. There is no shame in what they did and he didn't try to shame anyone. He was honest, without giving every dirty detail. I respect that.
The narrator was incredible as well. Again, you could hear when what was being read hit a bit too close to the bone, but he kept it professional the entire time. The production and narration were good in regards to volume control for the most part, so no complaint from me here.
All in all, this was an amazing book and I am glad that my friend decided to read this for the 50th anniversary and invited me to join them. It was worth it. Not my usual genre, but this is a book I am going to be talking about for a while.
5, highly recommended but maybe have a tissue or two handy, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Recorded Books, Inc. for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
The Edmund Fitzgerald, I had heard about it in a vague, not sure what it is way. Then I Buddy Read this with a friend and WOW.
This book was nothing short of amazing. The author really made those 29 men who died when the Fitzgerald went down into real people for the reader to get to know and also captured the feelings of those left behind, in a respectful and non-predatory way.
I listened to the audio book and you could tell that the narrator felt it too, as he would sound a little...verklempt when reading about the men and the tragedy of their loss. I was verklempt too. It's such a moving story and honestly, it was a tragedy that didn't have to happen.
It wasn't just ONE thing that doomed the Fitzgerald, it was a whole cascade of things. All of the dominos fell in the right, or in this case wrong, way, adding up to the tragic end. Though the Petty Officer in the US Coast Guard who out right IGNORED all of the distress calls, from the Fitzgerald as WELL as other ships in the area, well...there is a special circle nice and warm for him, I am sure.
It is going to be shared with the callus millionaire who had a video expedition to the wreckage site, bringing back video of the wreck and of one of the men, in his life vest, and harassing the loved ones left behind for their "blessing" to release the video and obtain more to make it into a sensationalist money maker for him. He is the reason the surviving loved ones fought to make it a designated National Cemetery so no one can legally be that ghoulish about their loved ones final resting place.
The song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot lives rent-free in my head BTW. The song is AMAZING and it tells the story in such a sensitive and visual way, it's no wonder the song was number 2 on the charts when it came out! He was also very respectful of those left behind, being as honest and current with the information in the song as he could be. When new information came out, when he performed the song live, he would alter incorrect original lyrics to corrected ones.
He became friends with many of the surviving family and friends and even spoke to Aunt Ruth, who lost her only child on the Fitzgerald, on the day before the 40th anniversary of the sinking, when she was ill and said she wanted to die then, so she could be in Heaven with her son to watch the remembrance ceremony with him. She did. (I'm not tearing up and blowing my nose now, YOU are.)
This book was nothing short of amazing, educational and, above all, respectful of those still living. He did state a couple of times that not all of the surviving family made it out intact, some crawled into the bottom of a bottle and never came out, but he doesn't get salacious or name names or try to vilify anyone. Everyone has their way of coping with grief, some better than others. There is no shame in what they did and he didn't try to shame anyone. He was honest, without giving every dirty detail. I respect that.
The narrator was incredible as well. Again, you could hear when what was being read hit a bit too close to the bone, but he kept it professional the entire time. The production and narration were good in regards to volume control for the most part, so no complaint from me here.
All in all, this was an amazing book and I am glad that my friend decided to read this for the 50th anniversary and invited me to join them. It was worth it. Not my usual genre, but this is a book I am going to be talking about for a while.
5, highly recommended but maybe have a tissue or two handy, stars.
My thanks to libro.fm and Recorded Books, Inc. for an ALC of this book to listen to and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2026
This is an extraordinary book. I was familiar with the tragic sinking of this massive ore carrier, but this book provided the humanization of the crew and their families that I had previously given little thought about. As I progressed through the book I felt like I knew each of the crew members on a first name basis. This really put the tragedy into a much greater perspective than just a massive ship sinking. I can't recommend this book enough. Kudos to the author for his thoroughly successful undertaking.
May 12, 2026
The Gales of November by John U. Bacon is a gripping and deeply human account of one of the most dangerous places on Earth: the Great Lakes. Bacon masterfully blends history, science, and storytelling to bring to life the powerful storms, especially the infamous “Gales of November”, that have claimed countless ships and sailors.
The chapters and parts are relatively short, there is so much suspense in the chapters that it keeps you turning the pages. You can easily get caught up reading it because it is so well written. John takes first hand accounts from sailors on the Great Lakes to help tell the story of the Great Lakes and the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The book centers on several real-life tragedies, most notably the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, while also weaving in lesser-known but equally compelling stories. Bacon doesn’t just recount events, he reconstructs them with vivid detail, helping readers understand not only what happened, but what it felt like to be there.
The book conveys the emotion of the terrible tragedy very well. While reading this book you can feel the sadness and pain of the family of these brave men. John talks about the risk and rewards, the sailors and the boat, the path and the fate of the ship, the search and remembrance.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its balance. Bacon explains the meteorological forces behind these massive storms in a way that is easy to follow, without slowing down the narrative. At the same time, he gives careful attention to the people involved, their decisions, their courage, and the risks they faced, making the stories feel personal and immediate.
For readers interested in maritime history, weather, or survival stories, this book is especially rewarding. Even those unfamiliar with the Great Lakes will find themselves drawn in by the intensity of the storms and the high stakes faced by those who sail them.
Overall, The Gales of November is a powerful and memorable read that captures both the beauty and brutality of the Great Lakes. It stands as a testament to the enduring danger of nature and the resilience of those who navigate it.
The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
The chapters and parts are relatively short, there is so much suspense in the chapters that it keeps you turning the pages. You can easily get caught up reading it because it is so well written. John takes first hand accounts from sailors on the Great Lakes to help tell the story of the Great Lakes and the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The book centers on several real-life tragedies, most notably the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, while also weaving in lesser-known but equally compelling stories. Bacon doesn’t just recount events, he reconstructs them with vivid detail, helping readers understand not only what happened, but what it felt like to be there.
The book conveys the emotion of the terrible tragedy very well. While reading this book you can feel the sadness and pain of the family of these brave men. John talks about the risk and rewards, the sailors and the boat, the path and the fate of the ship, the search and remembrance.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its balance. Bacon explains the meteorological forces behind these massive storms in a way that is easy to follow, without slowing down the narrative. At the same time, he gives careful attention to the people involved, their decisions, their courage, and the risks they faced, making the stories feel personal and immediate.
For readers interested in maritime history, weather, or survival stories, this book is especially rewarding. Even those unfamiliar with the Great Lakes will find themselves drawn in by the intensity of the storms and the high stakes faced by those who sail them.
Overall, The Gales of November is a powerful and memorable read that captures both the beauty and brutality of the Great Lakes. It stands as a testament to the enduring danger of nature and the resilience of those who navigate it.
The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call Gitche Gumee
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
August 18, 2025
4 1/2 stars
If you have ever spent any time on the Great Lakes and hear the Gordon Lightfoot ballad stuck on replay in your head then you already know a bit about one of the world's worst maritime disasters. The Edmond Fitzgerald was a floating marvel - the pride of the Great Lakes due to its cargo capacity, strength and the sterling reputation of the Captain. The ship no one thought could sink but did in a freak storm November 10, 1975 with all 29 of its crew in the freezing waters of Lake Superior. John U. Bacon presents not only the background and history of the postwar steel boom in the Great Lakes where shipping was king but also gives us an intimate look at the people who crewed and serviced the ships and the family left behind. His description of life on a freighter and the peculiarities of sailing the Great Lakes were so intense that I was left in awe of the power of nature and motion sickness. Even landlubbers can appreciate and gain much knowledge and Bacon's writing is the perfect blend of fact and human interest. Readers of Erik Larson, THE PERFECT STORM and THE WIDE, WIDE SEA will be captivated. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
If you have ever spent any time on the Great Lakes and hear the Gordon Lightfoot ballad stuck on replay in your head then you already know a bit about one of the world's worst maritime disasters. The Edmond Fitzgerald was a floating marvel - the pride of the Great Lakes due to its cargo capacity, strength and the sterling reputation of the Captain. The ship no one thought could sink but did in a freak storm November 10, 1975 with all 29 of its crew in the freezing waters of Lake Superior. John U. Bacon presents not only the background and history of the postwar steel boom in the Great Lakes where shipping was king but also gives us an intimate look at the people who crewed and serviced the ships and the family left behind. His description of life on a freighter and the peculiarities of sailing the Great Lakes were so intense that I was left in awe of the power of nature and motion sickness. Even landlubbers can appreciate and gain much knowledge and Bacon's writing is the perfect blend of fact and human interest. Readers of Erik Larson, THE PERFECT STORM and THE WIDE, WIDE SEA will be captivated. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.
November 22, 2025
So complete, so respectful. A wonderful telling of all that could happen or did happen to the Edmund Fitzgerald that fateful day. I lost my cousin, temporary cook Bob Rafferty that day. I learned so much from this book about what his sailing life was probably like. Thank you, John U. Bacon, for writing this book.
November 29, 2025
Libby app, Overdrive was better.
----
Narration: Excellent 👍🏼
Fascinating book and sad too.... the different choices that could have been made, the safety regulations that could have saved lives (so much changed after the ship and passengers were lost.. shouldn't take a tragedy to spark change 😕).
What if the captain had made this choice, or that choice.. what if the technology had been better?
Going through my mind.. wondering when the men knew they were gonna die..
Throughout the book:
Did some have hope to the end? How frightened were they if they knew what was going to happen to them?
The background info painted a picture of the culture, the lives of the families and the men themselves... it brought the lost ones back to life again and really honored their memories.
Well done 👏 so much more I want to say but can't find the words.
----
Narration: Excellent 👍🏼
Fascinating book and sad too.... the different choices that could have been made, the safety regulations that could have saved lives (so much changed after the ship and passengers were lost.. shouldn't take a tragedy to spark change 😕).
What if the captain had made this choice, or that choice.. what if the technology had been better?
Going through my mind.. wondering when the men knew they were gonna die..
Throughout the book:
Did some have hope to the end? How frightened were they if they knew what was going to happen to them?
The background info painted a picture of the culture, the lives of the families and the men themselves... it brought the lost ones back to life again and really honored their memories.
Well done 👏 so much more I want to say but can't find the words.
November 28, 2025
We are holding our own.
Those were the last words heard from the stoic captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a massive freighter that sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, during one of the worst storms of the century. The entire crew of 29 men was lost.
"The Gales of November" gives a well-rounded account of the disaster, setting the stage by giving a history of the ship, of trade on the Great Lakes, of weather forecasting and details of the terrible storm, and of the crewmen and their families. By the time you get to the chapters describing everything that's known about the ship's final journey, it feels like you know enough to get a job on a freighter.
I also appreciated the story of how singer Gordon Lightfoot created his popular ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which included the surprising detail that the version of the song on the album was the first time Gordon and his band had played it.
This is an excellent addition to the genre of books about shipwrecks, and it reminded me of other favorites like "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger and "In the Heart of the Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick. I would highly recommend "The Gales of November" to anyone who appreciates narrative nonfiction in general and disaster stories in particular.
Opening Passage
Few Americans understand just how great the Great Lakes really are. Describing them is like trying to capture the magnitude of the Grand Canyon in words alone. It can't be done. You simply have to see them to believe them.
Unlike the Grand Canyon, the majesty of the Great Lakes isn't immediately apparent. The lakes don't open before you in a single, sweeping view. Their immensity fully unfolds only for those who navigate their waters. The rest of us are left with statistics, analogies, and comparisons to try to comprehend their enormity.
How big are they? In terms of volume, these five lakes — west to east, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario (Great Lakes schoolchildren learn the acronym HOMES) — hold more than 80 percent of North America's freshwater, and more than 20 percent of the world's. If you could empty the Great Lakes over North and South America, you would flood the land in a foot of standing water.
Those were the last words heard from the stoic captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald, a massive freighter that sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, during one of the worst storms of the century. The entire crew of 29 men was lost.
"The Gales of November" gives a well-rounded account of the disaster, setting the stage by giving a history of the ship, of trade on the Great Lakes, of weather forecasting and details of the terrible storm, and of the crewmen and their families. By the time you get to the chapters describing everything that's known about the ship's final journey, it feels like you know enough to get a job on a freighter.
I also appreciated the story of how singer Gordon Lightfoot created his popular ballad, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," which included the surprising detail that the version of the song on the album was the first time Gordon and his band had played it.
This is an excellent addition to the genre of books about shipwrecks, and it reminded me of other favorites like "The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger and "In the Heart of the Sea" by Nathaniel Philbrick. I would highly recommend "The Gales of November" to anyone who appreciates narrative nonfiction in general and disaster stories in particular.
Opening Passage
Few Americans understand just how great the Great Lakes really are. Describing them is like trying to capture the magnitude of the Grand Canyon in words alone. It can't be done. You simply have to see them to believe them.
Unlike the Grand Canyon, the majesty of the Great Lakes isn't immediately apparent. The lakes don't open before you in a single, sweeping view. Their immensity fully unfolds only for those who navigate their waters. The rest of us are left with statistics, analogies, and comparisons to try to comprehend their enormity.
How big are they? In terms of volume, these five lakes — west to east, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario (Great Lakes schoolchildren learn the acronym HOMES) — hold more than 80 percent of North America's freshwater, and more than 20 percent of the world's. If you could empty the Great Lakes over North and South America, you would flood the land in a foot of standing water.
March 12, 2026
A really good casual read. I thought the short chapters & sections made reading a lot more enjoyable. I felt the first 2/3 of the book was more interesting. After the actual sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald I thought the suspense & drama elements became greatly diminished. The last part of the book just talked about fallout of the sinking. Overall, a pretty good historical/disaster nonfiction book.
March 4, 2026
Biggest takeaway; Bacon does a lot with very little. Only theories exist about what exactly doomed the Edmund Fitzgerald in that storm of '75, so there is not much to tell about the sinking itself after last contact with the captain. But Bacon does a masterful job of indoctrinating us into the culture of Great Lakes shipping. Lots of great personalities, lots of interesting tidbits about the business side of things. This should be a drier read than it is. And yes, he does go through the different theories of the sinking itself. I look forward to reading future works from Bacon, since I am definitely not going to go back and read his other books on Michigan football.
November 7, 2025
“We are holding our own.” These are the last words of Ernest McSorley, captain of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
The Gales of November is an emotional character-driven account of November 10th, 1975’s disaster of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking resulting in the death of 29 men. In this account, John U. Bacon delivers information on the wreck and the storm that caused it but also information on the conditions of sailing on the Great Lakes, the history and incentives of shipping over these dangerous cold waters, wrecks and deaths of storms leading up to 1975 and their impact on shipping, and the personal life stories of many sailors that died on Mighty Fitz and the families they leave behind.
This is a very sad story and Bacon does service to inform the reader of this moment in America history while not just making it an “event”. Touching on the communities of the region from the bar tenders and fans that would wait for The Fitzgerald at the canals, Bacon captures how important these ships are to these towns and what life is like in this area. As someone raised in the Great Lakes region, I know Bacon captured a part of what makes this region so special. American history buffs should read this, but keep a Kleenex box nearby.
The Gales of November is an emotional character-driven account of November 10th, 1975’s disaster of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking resulting in the death of 29 men. In this account, John U. Bacon delivers information on the wreck and the storm that caused it but also information on the conditions of sailing on the Great Lakes, the history and incentives of shipping over these dangerous cold waters, wrecks and deaths of storms leading up to 1975 and their impact on shipping, and the personal life stories of many sailors that died on Mighty Fitz and the families they leave behind.
This is a very sad story and Bacon does service to inform the reader of this moment in America history while not just making it an “event”. Touching on the communities of the region from the bar tenders and fans that would wait for The Fitzgerald at the canals, Bacon captures how important these ships are to these towns and what life is like in this area. As someone raised in the Great Lakes region, I know Bacon captured a part of what makes this region so special. American history buffs should read this, but keep a Kleenex box nearby.
December 11, 2025
4.6 rounded up... definitely recommend it, goes well beyond what is known or theorized about the actual sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald to include vivid bios of the captain and selected crew members, as well as describing what life was like on Great Lakes steamers and in a number of lakeside port communities at that time. (Can't believe it has been 50 years...)
April 21, 2026
A Definitive Account of the Edmund Fitzgerald Disaster
The following ratings are out of 5:
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌏
Character development: 😋😀😛😟😮
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
Character Backgrounds
Because The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald is nonfiction, its “characters” are real people rather than fictional creations—but they are developed with remarkable depth. I read this book because I am from Minnesota and feel some sort of connection with this tragedy which happened when I was just a little girl. I remember taking vacations to Duluth and reading about the disaster so much which happened around that time in my life.
John U. Bacon brings the 29 crew members of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald to life through personal histories, family perspectives, and accounts from fellow sailors. These men are portrayed as hardworking, experienced individuals who faced the physical and emotional demands of life on the Great Lakes. Their time away from home, the risks of their profession, and their tight-knit camaraderie are all explored in a way that makes their loss deeply personal.
The ship itself also takes on a symbolic role, representing industrial strength and pride. Bacon further enriches the narrative by including voices from families, investigators, and others connected to the tragedy, creating a broad and emotionally grounded portrait.
Plot Summary
The audiobook unfolds in a layered, documentary-style format, blending historical context with the events leading up to the tragedy.
It begins by exploring the rise of Great Lakes shipping after World War II, establishing the Edmund Fitzgerald as one of the largest and most respected freighters of its time. Bacon paints a vivid picture of the shipping industry—its economic importance, its demanding pace, and the inherent dangers sailors faced on a daily basis.
As the narrative progresses, the focus shifts toward the culture of lake freighters, including the pressures placed on crews and the potential safety concerns that may have played a role in the disaster.
The tension steadily builds as the story approaches November 10, 1975. On that day, the Edmund Fitzgerald set out across Lake Superior despite worsening weather conditions. What follows is a gripping reconstruction of the ship’s final voyage, as the storm intensifies with massive waves and brutal winds.
Communication from the ship becomes increasingly sparse until it abruptly ceases. Without sending a distress signal, the Edmund Fitzgerald disappears beneath the surface, taking all 29 crew members with it.
The aftermath examines the investigation into the sinking, the competing theories about what went wrong, and the enduring grief experienced by the families. Bacon also reflects on how this tragedy marked the end of an era for Great Lakes shipping and left behind one of the most enduring maritime mysteries in American history.
Highlights and Limitations
Highlights
• Thorough research and realism: The level of detail adds authenticity and emotional weight to the story.
• Human focus: By centering the crew and their families, the book becomes more than just a disaster account.
• Compelling final act: The reconstruction of the last voyage is tense, immersive, and deeply affecting.
• Historical depth: The broader look at Great Lakes shipping adds richness and context.
Limitations
• Heavy detail: Some listeners may find the historical and technical sections slow or dense.
• Large number of people: It can be challenging to keep track of all the individuals introduced.
• Slow buildup: The most dramatic portion occurs later in the audiobook, which may not suit those looking for immediate action.
Narration Review
Johnny Heller delivers a strong and fitting performance for this type of material. His voice carries a natural gravitas that complements the seriousness of the subject matter.
He handles the technical and historical sections with clarity, making them easier to follow, and shifts tone effectively during the more emotional and intense moments. In the final chapters, his delivery becomes especially impactful, underscoring the tragedy without feeling overly dramatic.
Overall, the narration is steady, respectful, and engaging, enhancing the listening experience without overshadowing the story itself.
Final Opinion
The Gales of November is a deeply moving and meticulously crafted audiobook that goes far beyond recounting a single disaster. It offers a full portrait of an industry, a community, and the people at the heart of a tragedy.
While it requires some patience due to its detailed buildup, the payoff is a powerful and haunting story that stays with you. For listeners who enjoy well-researched nonfiction and emotionally grounded storytelling, this audiobook is both compelling and memorable.
It stands as a meaningful tribute to the lives lost and a definitive exploration of one of the most unforgettable maritime disasters in American history.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Story/Plot: 📕📗📙📘📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌏
Character development: 😋😀😛😟😮
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
Character Backgrounds
Because The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald is nonfiction, its “characters” are real people rather than fictional creations—but they are developed with remarkable depth. I read this book because I am from Minnesota and feel some sort of connection with this tragedy which happened when I was just a little girl. I remember taking vacations to Duluth and reading about the disaster so much which happened around that time in my life.
John U. Bacon brings the 29 crew members of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald to life through personal histories, family perspectives, and accounts from fellow sailors. These men are portrayed as hardworking, experienced individuals who faced the physical and emotional demands of life on the Great Lakes. Their time away from home, the risks of their profession, and their tight-knit camaraderie are all explored in a way that makes their loss deeply personal.
The ship itself also takes on a symbolic role, representing industrial strength and pride. Bacon further enriches the narrative by including voices from families, investigators, and others connected to the tragedy, creating a broad and emotionally grounded portrait.
Plot Summary
The audiobook unfolds in a layered, documentary-style format, blending historical context with the events leading up to the tragedy.
It begins by exploring the rise of Great Lakes shipping after World War II, establishing the Edmund Fitzgerald as one of the largest and most respected freighters of its time. Bacon paints a vivid picture of the shipping industry—its economic importance, its demanding pace, and the inherent dangers sailors faced on a daily basis.
As the narrative progresses, the focus shifts toward the culture of lake freighters, including the pressures placed on crews and the potential safety concerns that may have played a role in the disaster.
The tension steadily builds as the story approaches November 10, 1975. On that day, the Edmund Fitzgerald set out across Lake Superior despite worsening weather conditions. What follows is a gripping reconstruction of the ship’s final voyage, as the storm intensifies with massive waves and brutal winds.
Communication from the ship becomes increasingly sparse until it abruptly ceases. Without sending a distress signal, the Edmund Fitzgerald disappears beneath the surface, taking all 29 crew members with it.
The aftermath examines the investigation into the sinking, the competing theories about what went wrong, and the enduring grief experienced by the families. Bacon also reflects on how this tragedy marked the end of an era for Great Lakes shipping and left behind one of the most enduring maritime mysteries in American history.
Highlights and Limitations
Highlights
• Thorough research and realism: The level of detail adds authenticity and emotional weight to the story.
• Human focus: By centering the crew and their families, the book becomes more than just a disaster account.
• Compelling final act: The reconstruction of the last voyage is tense, immersive, and deeply affecting.
• Historical depth: The broader look at Great Lakes shipping adds richness and context.
Limitations
• Heavy detail: Some listeners may find the historical and technical sections slow or dense.
• Large number of people: It can be challenging to keep track of all the individuals introduced.
• Slow buildup: The most dramatic portion occurs later in the audiobook, which may not suit those looking for immediate action.
Narration Review
Johnny Heller delivers a strong and fitting performance for this type of material. His voice carries a natural gravitas that complements the seriousness of the subject matter.
He handles the technical and historical sections with clarity, making them easier to follow, and shifts tone effectively during the more emotional and intense moments. In the final chapters, his delivery becomes especially impactful, underscoring the tragedy without feeling overly dramatic.
Overall, the narration is steady, respectful, and engaging, enhancing the listening experience without overshadowing the story itself.
Final Opinion
The Gales of November is a deeply moving and meticulously crafted audiobook that goes far beyond recounting a single disaster. It offers a full portrait of an industry, a community, and the people at the heart of a tragedy.
While it requires some patience due to its detailed buildup, the payoff is a powerful and haunting story that stays with you. For listeners who enjoy well-researched nonfiction and emotionally grounded storytelling, this audiobook is both compelling and memorable.
It stands as a meaningful tribute to the lives lost and a definitive exploration of one of the most unforgettable maritime disasters in American history.
Blog|Goodreads|Facebook|Instagram|Pinterest|BookBub
January 22, 2026
Did this book have an editor???! It’s weighed down by so much unnecessary detail that if this book was a boat, the Plimsoll line would be well below the water (see, I did learn something!). Much too reverent of industrial capitalism and the way things were done in the Good Ole Days.
No sense of momentum or tension in the narrative. It reads like an older guy in a bar telling you a long winded story full of tangents about his “glory” years, unaware that you are trying desperately to exit the conversation.
One of the worst moments: Apparently one of the crew members was more or less openly gay. No more than a few sentences were dedicated to his story, and one of the only things said about him was basically “Good guy, never bothered any of us, even though I was a young cadet and he could’ve taken advantage of me.” This line of thinking, assuming that a gay man is a predator until proven otherwise, is never challenged. Yikes!!!!
No sense of momentum or tension in the narrative. It reads like an older guy in a bar telling you a long winded story full of tangents about his “glory” years, unaware that you are trying desperately to exit the conversation.
One of the worst moments: Apparently one of the crew members was more or less openly gay. No more than a few sentences were dedicated to his story, and one of the only things said about him was basically “Good guy, never bothered any of us, even though I was a young cadet and he could’ve taken advantage of me.” This line of thinking, assuming that a gay man is a predator until proven otherwise, is never challenged. Yikes!!!!
April 9, 2026
As a complement to the Gordon Lightfoot opus and awesome in its own right, I highly recommend this excellent work. You get to know the captain and crew and the people they left behind. I got a little choked up at the end.
October 23, 2025
A good book with good insight and information, and beautiful delicacy in handling the story of the sailors on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Though there were weaknesses in the weave of the story, there are lessons here America’s shipping is currently forgetting again and this serves as a reminder that regulations are always born of loss.
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