The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

By John U. Bacon

Book Overview

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" threw 100 mile-per-hour winds and 50-foot waves on Lake Superior, the Mighty Fitz found itself at the worst possible place, at the worst possible time. When she sank, she took all 29 men onboard down with her, leaving the tragedy shrouded in mystery for a half century.

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 crewmates of those lost. Bacon explores the vital role 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 both an emotional tribute to the lives lost and a propulsive, page-turning narrative history of America's most-mourned maritime disaster.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1324094648
• ISBN13: 9781324094647
• Release Date: October 2025
• Publisher: Liveright Publishing Corporation
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Wonderfully written

I learned so much, I love this book. I didn't know anything about the lakes and now I know so much and about shipwrecks I am hooked.

Essential Twin Ports history

This narration is a touching love letter to the Great Lakes, particularly the mighty Lake Superior, along with their legendary sailors. Not only does this book cover the massive Great Lakes’ freighters and how they are constructed, it reaches deep into the treacherous history of the ‘lakers.’ I appreciated the explanation of how freighters are constructed and function, common jobs and ranks among the crew, along with how life on the Great Lakes can be. Most of all, I loved the stories of the sailors who were associated with The Fitz. One Last Run….this section was written so beautifully that I was plucked back into time. I envisioned the locations, activities, and sights of November 8th, 1975 to the Fitz exiting the Superior Entry Channel, into the vast Lake Superior on the afternoon of November 9th, 1975. Hailing from the Twin Ports, with a father who spent his entire career on the coal docks, my heart was submersed in the pages, however an incredible sadness continued to grow as the pages kept turning. Witnessing countless storms on Lake Superior from the shoreline over many years, I thought I understood the power of winter storms. Yet, reading about the crushing waves delivering an onslaught to the sailors during the November 1975 storm, the understanding of doom and destruction hit hard. “They say history is written by the victors. On the Great Lakes, it’s written by the survivors.” (Page 25). Thank you, John Bacon, for your dedication to telling this important story. Being able to read such a book, while having Lake Superior as a backdrop in my life is a gift beyond words.

Impressive nonfiction well written

Have you ever heard The Gales of November by Gordon Lightfoot? He was a Canadian balladeer who brought to life the plight of the men working the ill-fated ship on November 10, 1975. This meticulously researched book tells about the Lakes in trading history and down to the present with emphasis on Lake Superior with its deadly storms of Novembers past, and in detail the stories of each man on The Fitz. The author even gives a crash course on the functions of the Soo locks. As a Wisconsinite with a great fondness for Lake Superior, I was overjoyed to get this book! “Only thirty know what happened: twenty-nine men, and God. They’re not talking, and everyone else is just guessing." Voice actor Johnny Heller has the kind of presentation that never lets the reader forget that the book you are listening to is nonfiction. Learn from it and don't forget it. I requested and received BOTH a Temporary uncorrected digital review copy from W. W. Norton & Company | Liveright AND a temporary audio copy from RBmedia | Recorded Books via NetGalley. *****review I'm still very happy to have preordered the audio for my own to keep and gifted a print copy each to two men who have close ties to UM Duluth. #TheGalesofNovember by @johnubacon #s.s._edmund_fitzgerald @w.w.norton @liverightbooks @recordedbooksaudiobooks #narrative nonfiction #greatlakesshipping #orecarriers #netgalley #intensestorms #greatlakesshipwrecks #greatlakessailors #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk #indiebookstoresca #BN #BAM #Kobo #Waterstones #librarything #bookbub #goodreads