The Gales of November with Author John U Bacon

Name: The Gales of November with Author John U Bacon
Start: 2025-10-07T18:30:00-04:00
Location: Rackham Auditorium

Schedule

Tue, 07 Oct, 2025 at 06:30 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Rackham Auditorium | Ann Arbor, MI

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking and we are honored to be hosting author John U Bacon and his new book, The Gales of November, which tells the definitive story of the “Mighty Fitz” adding never before heard stories and original interviews. Join us for this release day event!
Please note that this event is being held at The University of Michigan in the Rackham Auditorium, not in our store. We want to make this event available to as many readers as possible and are excited to be partnering with this venue!
Tickets are required for this event and can be reserved through the Rackham ticket office through the link below. You will have two ticket options to choose from:
General Admission, which is a free ticket
Admission + Book, which will include a signed copy of The Gales of November
Additional copies of The Gales of November along with John’s other titles will be available for purchase at the event.
Our event will include a presentation and an audience Q&A followed by a signing line where you can meet John and get your book personalized.
Tickets can be reserved/purchased here: https://mutotix.umich.edu/5888
Customers may also call the ticket office at (734) 763-8587 during regular business hours (M-F 11am-4pm, hours will change to 11am-5pm on 8/25)
About the Book:
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.
About the Author:
John U. Bacon has authored fourteen books on sports, business, health, and history, the last seven of which are critically acclaimed national bestsellers, including five New York Times bestsellers. He lives in Ann Arbor and northern Michigan with his wife and son.