The Finest Hours (Young Readers Edition): The True Story of a Heroic Sea Rescue (True Rescue Series)

With "The Finest Hours" Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman have written one of the most compelling, captivating, and fast-paced accounts in the history of maritime drama. On February 18, 1952 off Cape Cod not one but two World War Two vintage oil tankers, the "Pendleton" and the "Fort Mercer," broke in two in a tremendous storm. Depending on which of the four sections of the ships people were on greatly influenced their ability to survive in the frigid Atlantic. While the premise sounds incredible enough, the heroic battle of the US Coast Guard to rescue survivors is an amazing testament to the skill and determination to those men. I was especially impressed with the actions in Bernie Webber's tiny and obsolete CG 36500 (fortunately now restored and on display in a museum) and the accounts of the crew's quiet heroism as related by the authors.This edition is for young readers, but is perfectly suitable for adults as well: the interview with the authors at the end clarifies what was removed from this version (largely technical information on the construction methods used in building oil tankers, etc.) As it is this version is eminently readable and thoroughly engrossing. Buy whichever version you prefer, but don't miss out on this incredible and incredibly well written tale of the sea.

On February 18, 1952 at the Chatham Lifeboat Station on Massachusetts' Cape Cod, Boatswain's Mate First Class Bernie Webber is watching a growing storm intensify as a midwinter nor'easter is stalled over New England. He is 24 years old but had 10 years experience first serving in the U.S. Maritime Service during World War II, and now in the United States Coast Guard. The waters off of Cape Cod are the most dangerous, often called the Graveyard of the Atlantic. Historically, there were more than 3,000 shipwrecks scattered on the ocean floor from Chatham to Provincetown. On this day, the 503-foot, 10,448-ton T2 tanker,"Pendleton" with 122,000 barrels of kerosene and home heating oil broke in half not far from the Boston coastline. Nearly at the same time during the record breaking arctic-like storm, with waves sometimes higher than 70 feet, the "Fort Mercer," another 503-foot tanker, breaks in half off Cape Cod. The U.S. Coast Guard is tasked with the nearly insurmountable rescue task of the crew members trapped on the bow and stern sections of both ships. This is a true event that could be happening in February 2015 with the record breaking storms attacking the east coast today. The events are well written and documented with many quotes of the coast guardsmen and tanker crew members. This is a short read, but unforgettable. A honorable achievement by co-authors Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman.

it would be nice had Amazon indicated that this was a version of the book made for kids. There is an adult version too (and by that I don't mean Adult version, or maybe it is, I don't know since I only got this one). but come to think of it, this is probably the one to get because soon this will be a big screen movie with really good looking people in it, and the kids version is about all you need to compare to that.BUT, having read it and gotten most of the way through before I realized it was for kids, I would still say this is an excellent kids book. would recommend at around age 11 or 12 kids might find this interesting. A good gift if you are in to giving kids books for gifts.

Captivating, intense, emotional, instructive, and enlightening are a few of the words that come to mind when reflecting on the writing in this book. So vivid were the detailed descriptions that I felt as if I were aboard the boats during these heroic emergency operations under the most dire, seemingly impossible conditions. Recommend most highly.

Great book. I could almost feel I was there!!!! Extremely well written!!! Looking forward to reading more books by this author….

It is an outstanding book ! Buy it you won’t be sorry

A young reader edition of a very complex true story. Highlights the concepts of valor, bravery and honor. Highly recommended for tweens and teens.

Got this for my 6th grader as he has a nonfiction book report due. The book is very wordy and mentions so many people’s names and so many different places and names of boats that it’s hard to follow. Nice descriptions but not good for his age as it’s hard to read and hold his attention.

Was a gift - Amazon got the right title

Good entertainment, like the movie. The half price was the best.

A great book, truly amazing stories and all the better for being true, of course. Astonishing seamanship, and sheer determination to save lives, the "coasties" deserved a medal and no mistake.

Vocabulary is perfect for a 12-14 year old child. Engaging story line and great pictures and references for this heroic time of history

Excellent