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Into the Storm: Two Ships, a Deadly Hurricane, and an Epic Battle for Survival
"An intense, immersive deep dive into a wild, dangerous, and unknown world, written with the pace and appeal of a great thriller. This is nonfiction at its very best."--Lee Child
The true story of two doomed ships and a daring search-and-rescue operation that shines a light on the elite Coast Guard swimmers trained for the most dangerous ocean missions
In late September 2015, Hurricane Joaquin swept past the Bahamas and swallowed a pair of cargo vessels in its destructive path: El Faro, a 790-foot American behemoth with a crew of thirty-three, and the Minouche, a 230-foot freighter with a dozen sailors aboard. From the parallel stories of these ships and their final journeys, Tristram Korten weaves a remarkable tale of two veteran sea captains from very different worlds, the harrowing ordeals of their desperate crews, and the Coast Guard's extraordinary battle against a storm that defied prediction.
When the Coast Guard received word from Captain Renelo Gelera that the Minouche was taking on water on the night of October 1, the servicemen on duty helicoptered through Joaquin to the sinking ship. Rescue swimmer Ben Cournia dropped into the sea--in the middle of a raging tropical cyclone, in the dark--and churned through the monstrous swells, loading survivors into a rescue basket dangling from the helicopter as its pilot struggled against the tempest. With pulsating narrative skill in the tradition of Sebastian Junger and Jon Krakauer, Korten recounts the heroic efforts by Cournia and his fellow guardsmen to haul the Minouche's crew to safety.
Tragically, things would not go as well for Captain Michael Davidson and El Faro. Despite exhaustive searching by her would-be rescuers, the loss of the vessel became the largest U.S. maritime disaster in decades. As Korten narrates the ships' fates, with insights drawn from insider access to crew members, Coast Guard teams, and their families, he delivers a moving and propulsive story of men in peril, the international brotherhood of mariners, and the breathtaking power of nature.
Praise for Into the Storm
"The story [Tristram] Korten tells is impressively multifaceted, exploring everything from timely issues such as climate change to timeless themes such as man's struggle against the ocean's fury."--Miami New Times
"Into the Storm is a triumph of reporting and you-are-there writing that becomes a deeper tale--with more implications about our own lives--with every chapter."--Robert Kurson, New York Times bestselling author of Shadow Divers
The true story of two doomed ships and a daring search-and-rescue operation that shines a light on the elite Coast Guard swimmers trained for the most dangerous ocean missions
In late September 2015, Hurricane Joaquin swept past the Bahamas and swallowed a pair of cargo vessels in its destructive path: El Faro, a 790-foot American behemoth with a crew of thirty-three, and the Minouche, a 230-foot freighter with a dozen sailors aboard. From the parallel stories of these ships and their final journeys, Tristram Korten weaves a remarkable tale of two veteran sea captains from very different worlds, the harrowing ordeals of their desperate crews, and the Coast Guard's extraordinary battle against a storm that defied prediction.
When the Coast Guard received word from Captain Renelo Gelera that the Minouche was taking on water on the night of October 1, the servicemen on duty helicoptered through Joaquin to the sinking ship. Rescue swimmer Ben Cournia dropped into the sea--in the middle of a raging tropical cyclone, in the dark--and churned through the monstrous swells, loading survivors into a rescue basket dangling from the helicopter as its pilot struggled against the tempest. With pulsating narrative skill in the tradition of Sebastian Junger and Jon Krakauer, Korten recounts the heroic efforts by Cournia and his fellow guardsmen to haul the Minouche's crew to safety.
Tragically, things would not go as well for Captain Michael Davidson and El Faro. Despite exhaustive searching by her would-be rescuers, the loss of the vessel became the largest U.S. maritime disaster in decades. As Korten narrates the ships' fates, with insights drawn from insider access to crew members, Coast Guard teams, and their families, he delivers a moving and propulsive story of men in peril, the international brotherhood of mariners, and the breathtaking power of nature.
Praise for Into the Storm
"The story [Tristram] Korten tells is impressively multifaceted, exploring everything from timely issues such as climate change to timeless themes such as man's struggle against the ocean's fury."--Miami New Times
"Into the Storm is a triumph of reporting and you-are-there writing that becomes a deeper tale--with more implications about our own lives--with every chapter."--Robert Kurson, New York Times bestselling author of Shadow Divers
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 24, 2018
291 people are currently reading
2488 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
April 22, 2018
I found this to be a wonderful read. Just a well researched and intensely laid out the book to read about the late September 2015 storm Joaquin which repeatedly defied expected patterns as some storms will do, and became a hurricane. As some captains made directional changes in order to avoid Joaquin, it seemed that the hurricane kept changing too. Eventually, those who didn’t stay on their toes were caught off guard by one circumstance or another and were in for a battle. The book got quite exciting as the tension keeps building along with Joaquin’s power.
Having lived in Florida and Georgia for the past 30 plus years, I’ve been through a few of these storms, Thankfully most have been worn down a good bit by the time they have gone over my area. There were a couple of exceptions when I lived in Florida though and they are something you don’t forget. I was in central Florida when Andrew blasted south Florida so badly and we all remember what those areas looked like afterward for such a long time as they eventually got around to rebuilding. The thought of going through it on the open water is simply horrifying, even if you are in a ship or a plane or chopper.
The authorities managed to keep tabs on two ships that were having difficulty and the trouble continued to be confirmed at other points during the storm, until one ship, the larger of the two at 790-foot, the El Faro lost communication completely. The El Faro carried a crew of 33. Both of the ships were in distress though and had to signal for help during the hurricane. The Minouche, a 230-foot freighter with a dozen sailors on it was taking on water, and when the engine died they were in serious trouble in the storm.
"Into the Storm" gives an excellent accounting of the rescue capabilities of the Coast Guard with their steady and patient pilots and rescue swimmers with all of their amazing training and abilities behind them when they set out to help people in need. I don’t know if a story like this has already been done as a movie, but it would make a good one if it hasn’t already. This is just the kind of non-fiction book that keeps me reading this genre and looking for more books like it, as they are so thrilling. An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley and author Tristam Korten for my unbiased review.
Ballantine Books
Publication: April 24, 2018
Having lived in Florida and Georgia for the past 30 plus years, I’ve been through a few of these storms, Thankfully most have been worn down a good bit by the time they have gone over my area. There were a couple of exceptions when I lived in Florida though and they are something you don’t forget. I was in central Florida when Andrew blasted south Florida so badly and we all remember what those areas looked like afterward for such a long time as they eventually got around to rebuilding. The thought of going through it on the open water is simply horrifying, even if you are in a ship or a plane or chopper.
The authorities managed to keep tabs on two ships that were having difficulty and the trouble continued to be confirmed at other points during the storm, until one ship, the larger of the two at 790-foot, the El Faro lost communication completely. The El Faro carried a crew of 33. Both of the ships were in distress though and had to signal for help during the hurricane. The Minouche, a 230-foot freighter with a dozen sailors on it was taking on water, and when the engine died they were in serious trouble in the storm.
"Into the Storm" gives an excellent accounting of the rescue capabilities of the Coast Guard with their steady and patient pilots and rescue swimmers with all of their amazing training and abilities behind them when they set out to help people in need. I don’t know if a story like this has already been done as a movie, but it would make a good one if it hasn’t already. This is just the kind of non-fiction book that keeps me reading this genre and looking for more books like it, as they are so thrilling. An advance digital copy was provided by NetGalley and author Tristam Korten for my unbiased review.
Ballantine Books
Publication: April 24, 2018
February 16, 2025
A non-fiction book on hurricane that reads like a page turning thriller novel. Two ships in the Caribbean that were wrecked by a hurricane had very different outcomes. The book dived into what happened that saved the crew of one ship and what happened to the other ship where every crew members all drowned & died. The author told the stories in a way that had me a little bit on the edge on my seat. This book was definitely a page turner & a very interesting read.
May 8, 2018
Kept me on the edge of my seat, a definite page turner. Weather events fascinate me, especially water weather events (I love a good thunderstorm), so this story was right up my alley. Both terrifying and heart-breaking, this is a fascinating story that seems well-researched with actual transcribed audio from the event as well. I also love reading about the brave men and women who risk their lives to help others and the Coast Guard played a major role, definitely some nail-biting moments. I know little about the cargo shipping industry and this book educated me on this a bit as well. An overall good, interesting read.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for an advance copy of the ebook in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for an advance copy of the ebook in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 7, 2018
I received a free copy of Into the Storm: Two Ships, a Deadly Hurricane, and an Epic Battle for Survival by Tristan Korten from Goodreads for my honest review.
A wonderfully written and intense read. I was very impressed that this was Tristan Korten's debut novel. This is a story of two ships, the El Faro and the Minouche. Both ships get caught up in Joaquin, a category 4 hurricane in the fall of 2015. A lot of research and time went into writing this book. The story line including even stories of the Coast Guard and their search and rescues. The story is so vivid that you feel like you are there. Two ships, their crew, the families of the crew members, the storm itself and the intensity of the storm, was absolutely top notch.
A wonderfully written and intense read. I was very impressed that this was Tristan Korten's debut novel. This is a story of two ships, the El Faro and the Minouche. Both ships get caught up in Joaquin, a category 4 hurricane in the fall of 2015. A lot of research and time went into writing this book. The story line including even stories of the Coast Guard and their search and rescues. The story is so vivid that you feel like you are there. Two ships, their crew, the families of the crew members, the storm itself and the intensity of the storm, was absolutely top notch.
April 8, 2020
“How could this have happened? How, in the twenty-first century, with all the technology available to us, did a ship run by a modern American corporation bypass all safeguards, all warnings, and sail into a hurricane?” – Tristram Korten, Into the Storm
This book is a fine piece of journalism. In 2015, two cargo ships were caught in the path of Hurricane Joaquin. The author has skillfully integrated the stories of the El Faro and the Minouche, along with the heroic rescue efforts of the US Coast Guard, into a riveting account that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
The author documents his sources for each chapter, relying on interviews, research, and recorded transcripts. He even indicates which quotes are based on a single versus multiple sources. Korten keeps the narrative tightly focused, inserting only pertinent background, and conveys an amazing amount of information in this slim volume.
It is a tale of two captains and two crews, the power of the sea, factors that contributed to disaster, the loyalty of sailors to each other, skilled helicopter rescue efforts, and lessons to be learned. Korten also takes a broader look at the weather trends and what may be expected in the future. Anyone interested in maritime history will want to check this one out. Highly recommended!
This book is a fine piece of journalism. In 2015, two cargo ships were caught in the path of Hurricane Joaquin. The author has skillfully integrated the stories of the El Faro and the Minouche, along with the heroic rescue efforts of the US Coast Guard, into a riveting account that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.
The author documents his sources for each chapter, relying on interviews, research, and recorded transcripts. He even indicates which quotes are based on a single versus multiple sources. Korten keeps the narrative tightly focused, inserting only pertinent background, and conveys an amazing amount of information in this slim volume.
It is a tale of two captains and two crews, the power of the sea, factors that contributed to disaster, the loyalty of sailors to each other, skilled helicopter rescue efforts, and lessons to be learned. Korten also takes a broader look at the weather trends and what may be expected in the future. Anyone interested in maritime history will want to check this one out. Highly recommended!
May 20, 2020
Got this book for free from 'Great on Kindle' and am very glad I did. This is not the sort of book I would normally read, but the author puts the story of this tragedy on the pages brilliantly (and this is his first book). He gives all the necessary background and information, and does not overdo it and he really brings the human element into the book. The sad part is that like most tragedies, this also could have been avoided if better care were taken by many role-players in the story. But the book is also filled with courage and self sacrifice and of the endurance of the human spirit. Highly recommended read!!
March 3, 2025
The end of September 2015 and Tropical Storm Joaquin is brewing in The Bahamas region. Before we get to that the author, Tristram Korten, provides a very detailed introduction to two old and rusty cargo ships and their crew. The ‘Minouche’ that will travel from Miami to Port-de-Paix, Haiti and the ‘El Faro’ that will travel from the Port of Jacksonville to Puerto Rico.
The ‘El Faro’ has a crew of 33 while the Minouche has 12. You know what is about to come. Korten goes over facts and historical hurricane events as they pertain to the sea and the ships that get caught up in them.
The El Faro’s weather technology was not working as it should, the storm itself was being unpredictable and their captain, although very experienced, was more used to Alaska waters than the Caribbean. The nearly all-American crew were being put in danger by their captain as his ’situational awareness was compromised’. They were headed ‘into the storm’.
Korten turns his attention to the US Coastguard and the skilled employees who will have to go and rescue the crew of the Minouche. Skilled and heroic is what they certainly are. The bravery was amazing to read. Then it is the turn to find the El Faro.
This is such a well-researched book that is easy to read. I know events like this are not easy to describe but the author has done a cracking job of bringing the awful situations to life on the page.
The ‘El Faro’ has a crew of 33 while the Minouche has 12. You know what is about to come. Korten goes over facts and historical hurricane events as they pertain to the sea and the ships that get caught up in them.
The El Faro’s weather technology was not working as it should, the storm itself was being unpredictable and their captain, although very experienced, was more used to Alaska waters than the Caribbean. The nearly all-American crew were being put in danger by their captain as his ’situational awareness was compromised’. They were headed ‘into the storm’.
Korten turns his attention to the US Coastguard and the skilled employees who will have to go and rescue the crew of the Minouche. Skilled and heroic is what they certainly are. The bravery was amazing to read. Then it is the turn to find the El Faro.
This is such a well-researched book that is easy to read. I know events like this are not easy to describe but the author has done a cracking job of bringing the awful situations to life on the page.
June 13, 2018
I didn't read the synopsis, just grabbed from the library, was surprised to find I was reading a second book about the el farro in a week. At least I was prepared for the horrid outcome... this book is about two ships caught in a hurricane, thankfully one has an excellent outcome. Riveting, I mean I was standing stock still listening with horror as the coast guard saves the crew under multiple dire conditions. Who needs fiction when stories like this exist! All I kept thinking was those that can do, those that can't read... The mental and physical strength it takes to work in the elite coast guard search and rescue has me truly awestruck, I could barely read and listen I was under so much stress, IMAGINE DOING IT! The book had me glued to it the entire time, this is my thriller genre.
August 20, 2018
This is an excellent read but much broader than the title suggests. And it covers many aspects of modern freight movement (globalized world trade) on the high seas plus Coast Guard onus and particular specifics for the processes of how large freight and goods move now or "don't".
There are thorough descriptions to all the players and more than considerable portraits of every crew member and the exact specifics for the weather servicing and data intakes/ precision for that hurricane.
It seems incredibly sad that there were age related issues for this larger ship and that so much tech data actually lead the principles astray more than it helped avoid the worst positions.
But I can't round it up because I do prefer a narrower study than is displayed here within non-fiction form. About 1/2 of the book cored upon the voyage itself.
It taught me more about the Coast Guard than I had previously known. Most particularly about its size and its specific areas of expertise. And that ships are steered out of their harbors by other than the ships' captains.
There are thorough descriptions to all the players and more than considerable portraits of every crew member and the exact specifics for the weather servicing and data intakes/ precision for that hurricane.
It seems incredibly sad that there were age related issues for this larger ship and that so much tech data actually lead the principles astray more than it helped avoid the worst positions.
But I can't round it up because I do prefer a narrower study than is displayed here within non-fiction form. About 1/2 of the book cored upon the voyage itself.
It taught me more about the Coast Guard than I had previously known. Most particularly about its size and its specific areas of expertise. And that ships are steered out of their harbors by other than the ships' captains.
January 10, 2019
10* Fave...
This was a fantastic but heartbreaking story about Hurricane Joaquin, the Coast Guard and several of the ships, the EL Faro and the Minouche, that unfortunately ended up in its path in October 2015.
It sickens me that TOTE Inc. can spend over 35+ Million to build a ship but because the ship was commissioned 40 years before, they were grandfathered in and not legally required to upgrade it and outfit it with the newer and safer closed top lifeboats and an EPIRB with built-in GPS. So they basically had two crappy inflatable rafts to deploy in 125 mph winds and no one could get their exact position to help because they didn't have GPS. Are you kidding me? That's a travesty! Required or not, TOTE had a moral responsibility to outfit that ship and crew with better then what they had. That's just pure greed right there and for our laws to exclude certain ships from those safety requirements is absolutely ridiculous.
Anyways, enough of my bitching. If you like true seastories you should definitely read this. It's very intense and quite interesting.
This was a fantastic but heartbreaking story about Hurricane Joaquin, the Coast Guard and several of the ships, the EL Faro and the Minouche, that unfortunately ended up in its path in October 2015.
It sickens me that TOTE Inc. can spend over 35+ Million to build a ship but because the ship was commissioned 40 years before, they were grandfathered in and not legally required to upgrade it and outfit it with the newer and safer closed top lifeboats and an EPIRB with built-in GPS. So they basically had two crappy inflatable rafts to deploy in 125 mph winds and no one could get their exact position to help because they didn't have GPS. Are you kidding me? That's a travesty! Required or not, TOTE had a moral responsibility to outfit that ship and crew with better then what they had. That's just pure greed right there and for our laws to exclude certain ships from those safety requirements is absolutely ridiculous.
Anyways, enough of my bitching. If you like true seastories you should definitely read this. It's very intense and quite interesting.
May 4, 2025
A very entertaining and easy read. I don’t recall hearing about the El Faro or the Minouche for that matter but this book does a very good job of painting a picture of what happened out there while there 2 ships were battle Mother Nature and Hurricane Joaquin. What a scary life to lead, the life of a sailor.
March 11, 2018
Thanks to Random House/Ballantine and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This was very good, maybe I’d even rate it excellent. The storytelling was on a par with A Perfect Storm and there were a lot of similarilities in the stories (unfortunately for the individuals involved). I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys nonfiction and even more so to those who enjoy a nature/man against nature story.
July 8, 2018
Into the Storm is an extremely well-researched, well-presented, and thoughtful account of Hurricane Joaquin’s effect on two cargo ships. While I had followed the news reports after sinking of the El Faro and read last year’s account after the voice recorder had been located, Tristram Korten introduced so many more details as well as paralleled the El Faro’s trip with that of the other doomed ship, the Minouche.
The reasons why most of the American public never heard accounts of the Minouche comes to light as do reasons why some commercial ships fly under flags of landlocked countries.
Korten introduces the reader to the sailors of both El Faro and the Minouche and to the Coast Guard personnel involved in the search and rescue. He has drawn some portraits of some remarkable individuals who will stay with the reader long after they have read the last words.
As well, Korten discusses hurricanes, how prediction has changed, and how, even though predictions are superior to how they once were, they are not without large degrees of uncertainty as proven by Joaquin. Global warming, regardless of whether certain individuals choose to believe the facts or not, is changing the intensity of these storms.
For this reader, even though I knew much of what happened with the El Faro, this was a tremendously involving as well as eye-opening account. Despite knowing how the story of El Faro ends, much like knowing the story of the Titanic, you wish that perhaps there was a castaway. And that is how the story of the Minouche balances the saga. The Captain of the Minouche not only heard and understood all of the sounds his ship made, knew when it was time to abandon ship, he had more than enough faith for every sailor on-board the ship.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The reasons why most of the American public never heard accounts of the Minouche comes to light as do reasons why some commercial ships fly under flags of landlocked countries.
Korten introduces the reader to the sailors of both El Faro and the Minouche and to the Coast Guard personnel involved in the search and rescue. He has drawn some portraits of some remarkable individuals who will stay with the reader long after they have read the last words.
As well, Korten discusses hurricanes, how prediction has changed, and how, even though predictions are superior to how they once were, they are not without large degrees of uncertainty as proven by Joaquin. Global warming, regardless of whether certain individuals choose to believe the facts or not, is changing the intensity of these storms.
For this reader, even though I knew much of what happened with the El Faro, this was a tremendously involving as well as eye-opening account. Despite knowing how the story of El Faro ends, much like knowing the story of the Titanic, you wish that perhaps there was a castaway. And that is how the story of the Minouche balances the saga. The Captain of the Minouche not only heard and understood all of the sounds his ship made, knew when it was time to abandon ship, he had more than enough faith for every sailor on-board the ship.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 6, 2018
never read this author, but saw this advertised on amazon and I loved THE FINEST HOUR about a rescue at sea by the Coast Guard. This one sounded interesting so bought it and read it. I so did not want this book to end. It was a wonderful book. full of courage, discouragement, grief and awe. I learned so much about storms, hurricanes and the brave men and women of the Coast Guard. the story was told so it was actually very informative and readable. I absolutely loved it. Though I love horror, this is a different horror. Thanks to the people of the Coast Guard and those who serve in any of the armed forces. this books makes you a hero of you all.
do yourself a favor and read this book. it is an amazing book.
do yourself a favor and read this book. it is an amazing book.
August 9, 2025
I LOVED this book, and that's saying a lot from someone who doesn't read non-fiction. I was thoroughly engrossed. I read this on the beach and at one point I looked up and was so disoriented because the ocean in front of me was sunny and calm. That's THE best type of reading experience!
I wish this author had written more.
I wish this author had written more.
April 4, 2018
Korten keeps you on the edge of your seat with the true stories of two boats, El Faro and the Minouche, that get in trouble when they run into Hurricane Joaquin in 2015. Korten did extensive research and interviews for this book. He also gives you the perspective of the Coast Guard, tasked with finding and saving the crews, and the National Weather Service as they follow and report on the storm. You won't be able to put this book down. Highly recommended for fans of Erik Larson.
March 29, 2018
Many thanks to Random House Publishing Group for sending me this advanced copy to read. The author keeps the reader involved on several levels with thorough research. Interesting accounting on where our everyday goods come from through sea travel along with the Coast Guard and their traditions. The sinking of the two ships EL FARO and the MINOUCHE add more information on their crews and families with additional insight all in one place. Very sad and tragic.
April 22, 2018
Into the Storm: Two Ships, a Deadly Hurricane, and an Epic Battle for Survival by Tristram Korten is a very highly recommended nonfiction account of two doomed ships and a harrowing Coast Guard search-and-rescue operation.
An informative slow paced beginning sets the groundwork for the story. Korten opens up with an introduction to the brave, highly trained members of the Coast Guard on duty who would be pivotal in the search and rescue operations and a description of the two ships and their captains. The true story happened in late September/early October of 2015 when Hurricane Joaquin raged across the Caribbean. A pair of cargo vessels were in the path of this destructive storm. Captain Michael Davidson's ship was the El Faro, a 790-foot American behemoth with a crew of thirty-three, and Captain Renelo Gelera ship was the Minouche, a 230-foot freighter with a dozen sailors aboard.
After the ships leave port and the storm develops and subsequently changes course, the pace becomes more frantic. The Coast Guard was informed that the Minouche was taking on water on the night of October 1. They worked in the dark through the raging storm, with rescue swimmer Ben Cournia in the sea loading survivors into the helicopter rescue basket. They manged to save the crew of the Minouche. The rescue mission for the El Faro was not successful and became the largest U.S. maritime disaster in decades.
This is an extremely well-researched and well-written account of the events during Hurricane Joaquin and the heroic efforts of the Coast Guard in their search and rescue mission. A tension filled nail biter that is a true life thriller. Into the Storm includes maps, notes, and an index. (Korten's online GQ article about the hurricane includes photos of the men involved and visual information that may be included in the book but wasn't in my review copy.)
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House Publishing Group.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
An informative slow paced beginning sets the groundwork for the story. Korten opens up with an introduction to the brave, highly trained members of the Coast Guard on duty who would be pivotal in the search and rescue operations and a description of the two ships and their captains. The true story happened in late September/early October of 2015 when Hurricane Joaquin raged across the Caribbean. A pair of cargo vessels were in the path of this destructive storm. Captain Michael Davidson's ship was the El Faro, a 790-foot American behemoth with a crew of thirty-three, and Captain Renelo Gelera ship was the Minouche, a 230-foot freighter with a dozen sailors aboard.
After the ships leave port and the storm develops and subsequently changes course, the pace becomes more frantic. The Coast Guard was informed that the Minouche was taking on water on the night of October 1. They worked in the dark through the raging storm, with rescue swimmer Ben Cournia in the sea loading survivors into the helicopter rescue basket. They manged to save the crew of the Minouche. The rescue mission for the El Faro was not successful and became the largest U.S. maritime disaster in decades.
This is an extremely well-researched and well-written account of the events during Hurricane Joaquin and the heroic efforts of the Coast Guard in their search and rescue mission. A tension filled nail biter that is a true life thriller. Into the Storm includes maps, notes, and an index. (Korten's online GQ article about the hurricane includes photos of the men involved and visual information that may be included in the book but wasn't in my review copy.)
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House Publishing Group.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
September 20, 2018
I learned so much from INTO THE STORM, which reads like a thriller despite it being all true. At first glance, this is about the tragic sinking of the cargo ship El Faro, which went down with all hands in October 2015 during Hurricane Joaquin. Weirdly enough, INTO THE STORM was published the same week that two other books about the El Faro came out, but this is the only one that deals with the heroic Coast Guard divers and their rescue of the crew of the Minouche, another freighter caught in the path of Hurricane Joaquin.
Like the authors of the other two books (George Michelsen Foy’s Run the Storm: A Savage Hurricane, a Brave Crew, and the Wreck of the SS El Faro and Rachel Slade’s Into the Raging Sea: Thirty-Three Mariners, One Megastorm, and the Sinking of El Faro), Korten was able to use El Faro’s black box audio recordings to recreate the events onboard the doomed ship, but he does it so evocatively it really feels like he was on board the boat during those last few days. And then he adds the incredible story of Coast Guard rescue swimmer Ben Cournia, Minouche captain Renelo Gelera, and a number of other real-life characters from various agencies involved in the tale. It’s truly an all-encompassing narrative.
And then there were all the other great little details, filling in gaps in my knowledge: the global shipping network, flags of convenience, how tug boats work, what a harbor captain does, the mechanics of giant cargo ships, which side of a hurricane is the deadlier one, and on and on. If you like true-life adventures, stories of the sea, and/or inspiring portraits of real-life heroes, this book has it all.
Like the authors of the other two books (George Michelsen Foy’s Run the Storm: A Savage Hurricane, a Brave Crew, and the Wreck of the SS El Faro and Rachel Slade’s Into the Raging Sea: Thirty-Three Mariners, One Megastorm, and the Sinking of El Faro), Korten was able to use El Faro’s black box audio recordings to recreate the events onboard the doomed ship, but he does it so evocatively it really feels like he was on board the boat during those last few days. And then he adds the incredible story of Coast Guard rescue swimmer Ben Cournia, Minouche captain Renelo Gelera, and a number of other real-life characters from various agencies involved in the tale. It’s truly an all-encompassing narrative.
And then there were all the other great little details, filling in gaps in my knowledge: the global shipping network, flags of convenience, how tug boats work, what a harbor captain does, the mechanics of giant cargo ships, which side of a hurricane is the deadlier one, and on and on. If you like true-life adventures, stories of the sea, and/or inspiring portraits of real-life heroes, this book has it all.
April 9, 2018
This was a really good accounting of Hurricane Joaquin in Sept/Oct 2015 and it’s effect on the ships El Faro and Minouche. The author describes all of the preparations each of the ships took before their respective trips and the background information on the brave men in the US Coast Guard that serve behind the scenes in all of the rescues at sea. To say that this was a page turner would be putting it mildly. I had such a sinking feeling in my heart while reading this, since I knew the outcome of the doomed El Faro. The author was able to recreate the conversations between the crew members from recovered tape recorders , so that the reader could know exactly what happened during their last hours on board the ship during the hurricane. This was such a well researched book that read like a novel, except, unfortunately it was not fiction and everyone knows the outcome of the El Faro. The Minouche fared a little better, but the unbelievable rescue at sea by the Coast Guard is worth the reading of this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who had even a remote interest in this as it unfolded in the news in 2015.
Thank you to Random House and Edelweiss for the advance digital review copy!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who had even a remote interest in this as it unfolded in the news in 2015.
Thank you to Random House and Edelweiss for the advance digital review copy!
April 3, 2018
By coincidence, my husband and I were on a cruise ship in the Caribbean when we our itinerary was altered to avoid the rough waters of Hurricane Joaquin. Little did we know then of the horrific stories of the ships, El Faro and Minouche, floundering in that storm.
This book is a well researched and detailed account of the fate of these two ships. It makes a riveting story that contrasts the ships themselves, their captains, their crews and their destinies. It also details the unbelievable heroism of the Coast Guard personnel. This is a true story that reads like the most riveting fiction. It certainly ranks up there with Eric Larson's 'Dead Wake' and 'Isaac's Storm'.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
This book is a well researched and detailed account of the fate of these two ships. It makes a riveting story that contrasts the ships themselves, their captains, their crews and their destinies. It also details the unbelievable heroism of the Coast Guard personnel. This is a true story that reads like the most riveting fiction. It certainly ranks up there with Eric Larson's 'Dead Wake' and 'Isaac's Storm'.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
August 19, 2019
If you have a bad boss on land you can get insulted, become utterly bored, or have your career stall. On the ocean you can die. I thoroughly enjoyed Korten's first (!!) book. It is about weather, but then again it isn't about weather. It is about leadership, plus some individuals who require adult supervision (I love that quotation about one of the key players).
Who are we when the wind starts to whip up out of nowhere? What guides our decisions? Who are we when all is lost?
Who are we when the wind starts to whip up out of nowhere? What guides our decisions? Who are we when all is lost?
June 16, 2018
Overall, I highly recommend this first-class nonfiction thriller to anyone who enjoys the work of John Krakauer, Erik Larson, and Sebastian Junger.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Mr. Korten for an advanced copy to review.
Full review can be found here: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/03/05/in...
Please check out my site: https://paulspicks.blog
Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Mr. Korten for an advanced copy to review.
Full review can be found here: https://paulspicks.blog/2018/03/05/in...
Please check out my site: https://paulspicks.blog
January 20, 2019
Forget Your Politics
Would have given it a 4 star if the author had stuck to telling the story and not felt compelled to interject his bias positions. Global warming is a THEORY. Any one with a casual understanding of science understands that theories are not facts.
Global warming is grant welfare for academic research.
Would have given it a 4 star if the author had stuck to telling the story and not felt compelled to interject his bias positions. Global warming is a THEORY. Any one with a casual understanding of science understands that theories are not facts.
Global warming is grant welfare for academic research.
May 25, 2018
Korten takes you back to not too many years ago when Hurricane Joaquin hung out in the Caribbean. You get a look at the 2 ships that were stuck in the storm and the Coast Guardsmen that were sent out to save them.
One quote that stuck out to me about the Coast Guard mentioned in this book
There aren't many reasons good and clear enough for a child to accept a parent's absence, but rescuing people in danger is one of them.
Piecing together conversations from El Faro log, and trying to recreate the feel on the ship, as they were heading into the middle of a powerful hurricane. By the time they realized their weather reports were wrong, they were too deep into the hurricane to avoid a direct hit. Being an old vessel some of the safety measures did not have to meet current specs. So things like adequate life rafts (which have been a problem since the Titanic) GPS signals, and even structural weaknesses were granted leniency.
This book will be for anyone who has interest in hurricanes, coast guard rescues, or even being on a cargo ship. Korten does a good job of giving you insight into all three throughout this book.
One quote that stuck out to me about the Coast Guard mentioned in this book
There aren't many reasons good and clear enough for a child to accept a parent's absence, but rescuing people in danger is one of them.
Piecing together conversations from El Faro log, and trying to recreate the feel on the ship, as they were heading into the middle of a powerful hurricane. By the time they realized their weather reports were wrong, they were too deep into the hurricane to avoid a direct hit. Being an old vessel some of the safety measures did not have to meet current specs. So things like adequate life rafts (which have been a problem since the Titanic) GPS signals, and even structural weaknesses were granted leniency.
This book will be for anyone who has interest in hurricanes, coast guard rescues, or even being on a cargo ship. Korten does a good job of giving you insight into all three throughout this book.
July 26, 2019
Excellent journalism and writing about 2015 Hurricane Joaquin and the two cargo ships that unwittingly set sail from Florida into the Atlantic Ocean and confronted a tremendous superstorm. The book provides fascinating details about Coast Guard operations; hurricanes and weather; the modern global shipping industry; and decision-making in various organizations. As critics have noted, the book is written at a brisk pace and reads like a wonderful thriller. Highly recommended!
April 19, 2018
Into the Storm covers hurricane Joaqian and the lives affected at sea by a storm that defied conventional models and endangered twos hips and Coast Guard lives. One of these ships would be fortunate and have a harrowing rescue at sea with Coast Guard helicopters and boats while the other would disappear and require a navy ship to find her. This book details the lives of both people on the ships and the coast guardsmen who would rescue them. It is fast paced with lots of good detail that keeps the story moving and addresses some of the concern about the rising sea level temperatures that are causing more violent hurricanes to appear year after year. The author has a clear grasp of nautical matters and does a great job of making them accessible for those without that background and putting you in the shoes of the people involved in this story. Overall a fast paced read that made for interesting reading on an often forgotten incident in American Maritime history.
January 19, 2019
Not for everyone , but I was fascinated by this unbelievably detailed true account of two ships trying to make it through a devastating, unexpected monster hurricane. I remember this very vividly, as a lot of the drama was in Florida. If you like real life stories, this is a well written, great read.
July 7, 2019
Hard to put down, full of facts and weather information, but also full of human stories, heroics, triumphs and tragedies. The investigation reveals the unpredictable nature and tragic impact of one massive hurricane, but it isn't singular, storms are different due to climate change; we have much to improve.
April 19, 2018
September, 2015. Hurricane Joaquin is hitting the Bahamas and 2 cargo vessels, The El Faro and the Minouoche are in its path. How the captains of the respective ships responded and reacted to the deadly storm, determined if the crews lived or died. This is a hair raising, nerve rattling book to read as mistakes were made, and it is maddening and heart breaking to learn of facts that could have saved lives. There are heroes in this story including the pilots of the H-60 Jayhawk helicopter, the Coast Guard ship Northland, rescue swimmer Cournia, and more courageous men and women who gave their all to attempt to rescue some. The real heroes are the crew of the El Faro who died. It's up to the reader to determine who is to blame for the heartbreaking tragedy. I have my thoughts. First Mate Steve Schultz was part of my extended family.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
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