Wake of the Green Storm: A Survivor's Tale

by Marlin Bree

A former newsman, Marlin Bree built a small sailboat beside his home and sailed it on Lake Superior to explore the the North Shore and Canada's primitive and uninhabited islands of the ancient Voyageurs. It was a boat ride into remarkable adventure: a battle of one man against the inland sea. Here are true tales of dangerous storms, shipwrecks, and an island of silver on the notorious waters of the world's largest freshwater lake. Wake of the Green...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1892147041
• ISBN13: 9781892147042
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Marlor Press
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Review of Bree's _Wake of the Green Storm_

This is Bree's third cruising narrative. The first was _In the Teeth of the Northeaster: A Solo Voyage on Lake Superior_ followed by _Call of the North Wind: Voyages and Adventures on Lake Superior_.Bree is one of the better writers in a small sub-set of cruising narratives by singlehanded sailors who go coastal cruising in small yachts. Other writers in this genre include Philip Teece (_A Dream of Islands_ and _A Shimmer on the Horizon_) who cruises the waters around Vancouver Island and Robert DeGast (_Western Wind, Eastern Shore_ and _Five Fair Rivers_) and Howard Walker Schindler (_Between Two Bays and the Sea_) who sail in Chesapeake Bay.Just as reading Teece makes you want to go sailing around Vancouver, Bree does the same thing for Lake Superior. Bree is an excellent story-teller and his books are always lively and filled with historical information and yarns that will shiver yer timbers.Bree's latest work is extremely tense in parts and you will probably have a hard time putting it down after you start reading (especially since the 'Prologue' is a nail-biter). The book is centered around his experience with the July 4, 1999 "Green Storm" in which his home-made 20 foot wooden centerboard sloop *Persistence* was caught out on the Lake and knocked-down -- and experiences by other boaters with the same storm. There are other exciting moments -- like grounding on a reef and tense moments navigating through very narrow channels in the fog and dodging floating trees. Like the other books referred to above, this book shows that you don't have to cross an ocean or own a big and expensive boat to find some adventure. And, for sailors cruising in other areas, it will instill some respect (if they don't have it already) for "Lake sailors".

Without Warning

This is a true story about a lone sailor on the biggest, most beautiful, and most violent lake in the world. The lake that can swallow a modern day 730 foot lake freighter in an instant. LAKE SUPERIOR! Marlin Bree was caught, without warning, in a storm that wreaked havoc across the land and exploded on to Lake Superior. It is the story of the skill and luck it takes to survive a short lived hurricane with winds in the 100 mph range. It tells the stories of others who were surprised, and survived the green monster. I witnessed this same storm, and can attest to the ferocity of it. This book tells about the stark contrast of the changing moods of what has become known as the inland sea. It is a lesson on the unpredictable nature of such an immense body of water that has been known to create it's own weather systems. It's no wonder most choose to admire her from the safety of her rugged shore line. This is the type of intense adventure that makes it difficult to put the book down.

A truly Superior Storm..

It's been a long time since I have read a book that I truly enjoyed as much as "WAKE" It's one of those books where you just don't want to and CAN'T put it down because you sense and feel that you are there with Marlin sharing the adventures. Superior is well known for the fierce storms that drive across the lake. Ships of all types and sizes have sailed into these storms, never to be seen again....Marlin tells about some of these storms and his voyage aboard PERSISTENCE... a first hand account of the infamous "Green Storm", and other tales along Superiors North Shore..........

Wake of the Green Storm

Treat yourself to this true sailing adventure that will transport the reader into scenes of terror beauty, serenity and whimsey. It is the next best thing to being there!! Marlin Bree takes us along as he sails his 20 foot sloop, Persistence on the unpredictable and sometimes merciless waters of Lake Superior. Among other things, he tells the story of how he and other boaters were caught in the July 4, 1999 storm which devastated the area with 100 mph winds. The story of the green storm, as it came to be called, is masterfully interwoven with tales of the people and the history of this vast body of fresh water to create both a gripping and heartwarming story. Being a solo sailor myself, of course, one might expect that I would love the book, but non sailing friends have repeatedly thanked me for bringing their attention to the book. It is a story that will be loved by all those who appreciate the hardy characteristics of adventurers everywhere: preparedness, self-reliance, dogged determination in the face of adversity and most important, humility. Marlin is to be respected not only as an author and a solo sailor, but, for his ability to have it all, that enviable balance of family, work and personal passion. Do not miss this pearl among adventure stories, but beware that it may stir some sleeping inner longing and inspire you into action! (-: