The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue

The Coast Guard plays a lead role in both the historic and modern stories featured in Mitchell Zukoff's Frozen in Time. Fans who would like to read more about Coast Guard missions and rescues may enjoy this account of the Guard's gallant response to a 1952 disaster at sea. A terrible storm ravaged New England that year, creating sea conditions of 70-foot waves, fierce winds, and perilous cold. Caught in the storm were two aging oil tankers that were unable to withstand the crushing power of the nor'easter. They each broke in half, leaving their crews to the mercy of the raging Atlantic. The Coast Guard sent ships to aid the men, including three small crews in lifeboats. As the Guard rushed to save the men on the tankers they faced four floating wrecks—the stern and bow sections of each of the ships. Tougias and Sherman describe the unfolding hours, providing readers with an atmospheric, action-packed story, vivid descriptions of the conditions and events of the rescue, and richly crafted characters.