Well written account of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Very well written.

Like so many others, I was really interested to learn more about this tragedy. I don't know much about sea life or ships, but this was a really informative book written in a way that even a lay person like myself could follow and understand.

Schumacher reconstructs the events leading to the EF’s demise in great detail, and his resultant book is very worthwhile. Although the actual cause of this incident may never be known, I found myself thoroughly engrossed with details as the big ship begins to run into trouble. I’d recommend this book in particular to those who remember when this wreck happened back in 1975.

Interesting, in-depth look at the most well-known shipwreck on the Great Lakes. The author shares the story of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, weaving in stories of other shipwrecks, the captain and crew, and the aftermath. He does an excellent job of acknowledging the many theories of how the ship sank. He goes onto look at some of the ongoing battles between the families and those wishing to explore the wreck. All in all, a short, smart, manageable read.

My personal belief is that not one single thing took down the ship, but a combination of factors. A loose hatch let some water into the hold. The ship grounded just a touch (for as much as a behemoth like that can "just a touch) which caused not a giant crack in the hull, but perhaps a small one, which allowed more water in. At the very end, two massive waves caught up to the ship, and with the water in her hold, the nose got driven underwater and just kept going down. The 729 ft. ship went down fast in 535 ft of water, so it's likely that even if the stern of the ship stayed above water, it got torn apart by the raging water.

The Edmind Fitzgerald was immortalized (popularly speaking) by Gordon Lightfoot's ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitgerald," which was a hit about a year after the sinking of the ship in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975.
Ever since I was a kid, I have loved that song. I never forgot it, and sometimes for no reason at all out of nowhere I would start singing it to myself. Its sad and haunting melody, Lightfoot's incredible vocals, and the tragedy of which it tells. I think I was in high school before I heard or even realized that it chronicled an actual event.
That said, the song and the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald made me want to know more. It took me THIS long to get to a place where I wanted to read about it--the urgency of other books and the insistence of life kept pushing it down the list.
I decided that this year, in the "anniversary month" of the tragedy, that I would read about her, and the men, and the story of "what came after."
I am glad I did. It was a great story, full of history and personalities, and there was an almost tangibly human "presence" of the Fitgerald throughout.
If the song or the story, or even just if tragedy and "true 'crime'" is something you are interested in please give it a go.

This narrative of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald captivated me from start to finish.
Schumacher's meticulous research and storytelling prowess shine brightly in this book. Schumacher takes the reader on a journey into the night of a devastating maritime disaster, describing the the events leading up to the fateful night when the Mighty Fitz met its end in Lake Superior.

Schumacher brings to life the men who sailed on the ill-fated ship. You feel as though you're right there on that dark and stormy night in November.

Schumacher's attention to detail to the technical aspects of the ship, providing an understanding of what probabltent wrong that tragic night. I appreciated the scientific explanations and analysis throughout the book. Also, "Mighty Fitz" offers a glimpse into the maritime industry and the challenges faced by sailors on the Great Lakes. This lover lover of Wagnerian opera and travel, I can draw parallels between the epic tales of operas and the tragic story of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Both are larger-than-life narratives filled with drama, heroism, and the inexorable forces of fate.

Not a very well written book (it is somewhat clunky and disjointed), but a really interesting story that scopes out the power of the great lakes and its shipping industry.

An interesting story that's well written. A couple of maps would've been helpful.

Good summary of all that is known or suspected about the tragedy. But why not one single map, photo or drawing?

A chilling account of the Edmond Fitzgerald.

Excellent book! The background information was well done, as was the history of the lake. This made me feel like I was part of the story.