History Book Discussion Group: The Gales of November by John U. Bacon

The Edmund Fitzgerald sank during a huge storm on Lake Superior in 1975, taking with it all 29 crew members. This definitive account of the disaster is based on scrupulous research as well as over 100 interviews with members of the families. It’s also a comprehensive look at the shipping industry on the Great Lakes, which was at the heart of America’s economic boom after World War II. So, take a listen to Gordon Lightfoot’s ballad—and then sit down with this book, which reached #3 on the New York Times Bestseller List in late 2025. It’s great reading for a stormy November night!

We are working to have sufficient e-book copies for our group, though otherwise physical copies are abundantly available both at EPL and from our partner libraries.