I’m so grateful you shared this book with us. I am a massive Gordon Lightfoot fan, although I didn’t get into his music until his very last years. He grew up in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, where we have a family cottage five generations strong. I will be purchasing this book. I was fortunate to see Mr. Lightfoot sing this live when I saw him perform in 2018. He is one of the best songwriters of all time and I am so grateful for the music he gave us.
Wow, this brings back memories! I don't remember the shipwreck, but I remember the song well. It came out when I was in the third grade. I had a good friend who shared my interest in World War II movies, including "A Bridge Too Far" and "Midway." I recall the song playing on the car radio when his mother was taking us somewhere. My family moved from Oklahoma to Wyoming in early summer 1977. I saw my friend during a visit back to Oklahoma in 1978, but I never saw him again after that. Upon moving back to Oklahoma in 1991, I saw his obituary in the newspaper. It didn't reveal a cause of death, but it suggested memorial contributions to a mental health organization. About seven years later, I met another friend of his and he told me what happened. My friend had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his late teens. At age 23, he obtained a .22 and he shot himself with it. That is so sad and all of these years later, I'm still here and he is forever 23.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald has to be most haunting song I have ever heard. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours" - chilling. And there is something about that melody that just tugs on you.
I'm curious about the book, but I don't know if I have the guts to read it!
I grew up in Ohio and still lived there when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. Every time I return to Ohio over the past few decades, I have a routine of listening to Gordon Lightfoot's tribute as I enter the state.
Sounds very engaging, I put it on my Never Ending book list, and thankyou to all the writer to took, take the time to tell the stories, untold stories, hard stories, beautiful stories, I say thankyou for keeping them alive
Lightfoot’s song and music were a theme to my adult life. Seeing him sing this many times in Toronto would always bring goosebumps. It was always included in his concerts. The tragedy is vivid and his dedication to telling it is such a testament to his character and the families. Always humble, accountable and such talent. When I reminded my friend of how spectacular Superior is driving by the shore this summer .. she said ‘hence the name’. I look forward to reading this!
Putting it in the cart! I grew up on Lake Michigan and find it just as mysterious as the ocean. In fact the first time I visited an ocean I was curious of the salt taste as the Great Lakes are filled with the most beautiful of fresh waters.
I love books like this… The Wager is another good book, and also “A Walk In The Park”, about a couple of guys who walked the entire length of the Grand Canyon in the canyon… a very difficult thing to do. I’ll add this book to my future plans, just the kind of book I look for.
I grew up hearing this beautiful ballad, and the book sounds fascinating. Your post inspired me to to do some research on the giant rogue waves that appear with winter storms. I found photos of these waves, and I highly recommend looking them up. They are beautiful but also the stuff of nightmares. I no idea that Lake Superior could produce such a thing, or that insane surfers ride them in the dead of winter.
Thank you for this, I have listened to Gordon Lightfoot’s song so many times and have often wondered and speculated, ignorantly I might add, about what actually happened and the impact on the crews families and loved ones. It must have been devastating, although evidently not entirely unexpected. I have an audible account with Amazon, so I purchased the audiobook, can’t wait to listen..
Ah, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" showed up early for me this year, thanks to you. I always spend a while with this story on or around November 10 each year, as Gordon Lightfoot sung this to me on AM radio as a kid and it worked deeply into my soul. What a masterpiece of storytelling about this haunting tale. Thanks so much for sharing the news of this book, I'll be getting copies for myself and my Pop, who will love it also.
I first heard “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” in 1976, on my first night at college. It haunted me then and continues to do so to this day.
Yes, it reminds me of my early college years also.
I’m so grateful you shared this book with us. I am a massive Gordon Lightfoot fan, although I didn’t get into his music until his very last years. He grew up in Orillia, Ontario, Canada, where we have a family cottage five generations strong. I will be purchasing this book. I was fortunate to see Mr. Lightfoot sing this live when I saw him perform in 2018. He is one of the best songwriters of all time and I am so grateful for the music he gave us.
Wow, this brings back memories! I don't remember the shipwreck, but I remember the song well. It came out when I was in the third grade. I had a good friend who shared my interest in World War II movies, including "A Bridge Too Far" and "Midway." I recall the song playing on the car radio when his mother was taking us somewhere. My family moved from Oklahoma to Wyoming in early summer 1977. I saw my friend during a visit back to Oklahoma in 1978, but I never saw him again after that. Upon moving back to Oklahoma in 1991, I saw his obituary in the newspaper. It didn't reveal a cause of death, but it suggested memorial contributions to a mental health organization. About seven years later, I met another friend of his and he told me what happened. My friend had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his late teens. At age 23, he obtained a .22 and he shot himself with it. That is so sad and all of these years later, I'm still here and he is forever 23.
That is such a poignant story, Matt.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald has to be most haunting song I have ever heard. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours" - chilling. And there is something about that melody that just tugs on you.
I'm curious about the book, but I don't know if I have the guts to read it!
YES that line!!
This is the book I've been waiting for.
I grew up in Ohio and still lived there when the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. Every time I return to Ohio over the past few decades, I have a routine of listening to Gordon Lightfoot's tribute as I enter the state.
For me, it's the most haunting song there is.
I love this song and Gordon Lightfoot. Thanks for telling us about this book. I’m looking forward to it.
Sounds very engaging, I put it on my Never Ending book list, and thankyou to all the writer to took, take the time to tell the stories, untold stories, hard stories, beautiful stories, I say thankyou for keeping them alive
Lightfoot’s song and music were a theme to my adult life. Seeing him sing this many times in Toronto would always bring goosebumps. It was always included in his concerts. The tragedy is vivid and his dedication to telling it is such a testament to his character and the families. Always humble, accountable and such talent. When I reminded my friend of how spectacular Superior is driving by the shore this summer .. she said ‘hence the name’. I look forward to reading this!
Putting it in the cart! I grew up on Lake Michigan and find it just as mysterious as the ocean. In fact the first time I visited an ocean I was curious of the salt taste as the Great Lakes are filled with the most beautiful of fresh waters.
You had me at Gordon Lightfoot! :)
I love books like this… The Wager is another good book, and also “A Walk In The Park”, about a couple of guys who walked the entire length of the Grand Canyon in the canyon… a very difficult thing to do. I’ll add this book to my future plans, just the kind of book I look for.
I also love that and I don’ know why I feel the weather of winter.
I grew up hearing this beautiful ballad, and the book sounds fascinating. Your post inspired me to to do some research on the giant rogue waves that appear with winter storms. I found photos of these waves, and I highly recommend looking them up. They are beautiful but also the stuff of nightmares. I no idea that Lake Superior could produce such a thing, or that insane surfers ride them in the dead of winter.
Thank you for this, I have listened to Gordon Lightfoot’s song so many times and have often wondered and speculated, ignorantly I might add, about what actually happened and the impact on the crews families and loved ones. It must have been devastating, although evidently not entirely unexpected. I have an audible account with Amazon, so I purchased the audiobook, can’t wait to listen..
Ah, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" showed up early for me this year, thanks to you. I always spend a while with this story on or around November 10 each year, as Gordon Lightfoot sung this to me on AM radio as a kid and it worked deeply into my soul. What a masterpiece of storytelling about this haunting tale. Thanks so much for sharing the news of this book, I'll be getting copies for myself and my Pop, who will love it also.
Sounds intriguing! I will add it to my list. I would love to hear of more books you recommend in the future:)
I have always been fascinated by the this!! I'm so glad that I can add it to my read list!