Into the Blizzard: Heroism at Sea During the Great Blizzard of 1978
Written by Michael J. Tougias
Narrated by Shawn Compton
3.5/5
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Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this audiobook
In the midst of the Blizzard of 1978, the tanker Global Hope floundered on the shoals in Salem Sound off the Massachusetts coast. When the Coast Guard heard the Mayday calls, they immediately dispatched a patrol rescue boat. But within an hour, the Coast Guard rescue boat was in as much trouble as the tanker — both paralyzed in unrelenting seas. Enter Captain Frank Quirk, who was compelled to act. Gathering his crew of four, Quirk plunged his 49-foot steel boat, the Can Do, into the blizzard.
Perfect for fans of the I Survived series ready for a longer-form account, this middle-grade adaptation of an adult nonfiction book chronicles the harrowing journey between Captain Quirk and the Coast Guard as they struggled in the holds of a radical storm. It's an epic tale of heroism and bravery at sea.
Michael J. Tougias
Michael J. Tougias is the author of a number of books, including Rescue of the Bounty: Disaster and Survival in Superstorm Sandy; Overboard!; The Finest Hours (with Casey Sherman), the basis of the major motion picture released in 2016; Fatal Forecast; and Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do. He is a sought-after lecturer who gives more than seventy presentations each year. He lives in Massachusetts.
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Reviews for Into the Blizzard
8 ratings8 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Rating this one is tough for me, and I've had a hard time deciding between three stars or four, but ultimately felt like this novel doesn't measure up to other similar ones I've given four stars to, so it's three stars. Which is not to say it's bad. I recall the virtually social craze that swept America when this film came out and I believe, the book actually followed, which is rare. And I recall that when I saw the film at a young age, I was properly creeped out so at that time, I would have given it a higher rating. However, having seen it again a number of times over the years and having read the book, again, while decent, I remain somewhat unimpressed because I think there's a lot of books and stories out there that are far more "horrifying" and creepy than this one. Indeed, I suspect one of the seasons for its continuing legacy is simply that it was a product of its time, as in the 1970s were chock full of little but apocalyptic books, shows, films, religions, novels, prophets, etc. If you don't believe me, look up Hal Linsey's The Late Great Planet Earth. See how influential and popular it was back then and how many copies it sold. Then either read it or see the film made from it (or both). I was forced to see that by my fundie parents and it scared the shit out of me much more than The Omen ever did! Which is why I don't think it has held up well or holds up well at all, which ultimately is its greatest weakness. It feels dated and forced, almost like a fraud. Possibly to cash in on the rage and/or fad of that decade. But that's just me; feel free to disagree. It's okay, but not recommended as I think there are far too many better books out there in the genre.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ever since this book & movie came out in the 70s, I’ve heard about how scary it was. I was very disappointed in it now that I’ve finally gotten around to reading it. American ambassador to England, Jeremy Thorn and his wife Katherine, after a couple of miscarriages, are having a baby. But when Thorn gets to the hospital, the priest in charge tells him the baby has died. But a mother with no next of kin has just died giving birth. The baby is healthy and has no one to take it. Will Thorn adopt the baby, pretending it’s his own, lying even to his psychologically fragile wife? Yes, yes he will. He never even sees the body of his own baby. Four years later, bad things start happening around Damian. The nanny commits suicide at his fourth birthday party. A new nanny appears the next day out of the blue, without anyone calling the agency. Katherine begins to get neurotic as the boy gets closer to the nanny and withdrawing from her. A priest follows Thorn, babbling strange warnings. A paparazzo who follows Thorn finds ghostly images in the photos he takes; on the nanny before her dramatic suicide, on the priest who follows Thorn. Animals fear Damian, except for a mysterious black dog that keeps getting into the house. Churches induce a hysterical fear in him. What is the child? Is he the antichrist? Sadly, the book didn’t induce even mild fear in me. I think the problem is that you have to believe in Satan to be scared by this book, and I don’t. So while I felt tension, waiting to see who lived and who died, it couldn’t really creep me out. The book has flaws, too. The characters are two dimensional; no one is really likable. There is no depth to the story. I think the problem may be that Seltzer was also the screenwriter, and I think the screenplay may have come before the novel. In a movie, things aren’t described for us. The actor’s facial expressions, the set designers, the lighting person, all add the depth missing from the printed word in the screenplay. I think it didn’t occur to Seltzer to add these cues for the novel reader. Meh.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5A fairly silly book. I'm sure it makes a better movie, as it reads like a novelization, without much to offer in the way of deep characterization, interesting plot or thrills other than the cheap variety.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Seltzer provides a classic in the demonic subgenre of horror. It is clearly and concisely written, yet very detailed and rich. It also plays upon the "trust no one" philosophy of the 1970s (politics, religious institutions, etc.) In my opinion, it only rivals The Exorcist within the demonic subgenre. I highly recommend The Omen to all horror fans.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Omen - David Seltzer *****We have all heard of the film, but until recently I wasn't aware that there was a book. I am unsure which came first, but judging from the quality of the writing I would assume the book.The plot follows Damien (now a name synonymous with evil) and how he was substituted with the dead child of wealthy and politically high up American family. The son of Satan he must follow in his adopted father’s footsteps to become a political world leader and begin the destruction of mankind. Expect all the thrills of the film and a few scenes that were either not filmed or edited out. At times gruesome, at others philosophical as much of the book of revelations is quoted as it seemingly becomes mirrored in real life. The pages just flew by and I'm sure that I will one day revisit this book.There is a sequel to the book, but I think it is by a different author so I’m not sure how that will stand up to the original. If you have seen the film then definitely read the book. If you have yet to see the film, read the book first. As usual the book is far superior (and with a great film like the Omen, that really is something!)
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This is a fast read, and clearly written with an eye toward film because it is just that quick, but not badly written. I usually avoid books written off of movies because I don't expect much from the writing, but for what it was, this was well done and entertaining. I would have liked a bit more depth and a slower wrap-up, but it was a nice quick horror to pass some time with. I'm sure there's no surprise here if you've seen the movie (which I haven't), but if you're more a fan of written horror, don't give this an automatic pass just because of its connection to the movie.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic story, compelling characters, and a true page turner. You feel sorry for Mr. and Mrs. Thorn. What they wanted was a family, what they got was a parent’s worst nightmare.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5If I hadn't read this was a novelization of the incredibly chilling film starring Gregory Peck, by none other than David Seltzer himself, I would have rated it a bit higher. In a rare case, Seltzer has taken liberties with his own original material to transfer the film to the pages, and as it is, the novel seems like a very good effort.
It provides many interesting details about the past of key characters, especially Catherine, Thorn's wife, and father Tassone (who was father Brennan in the film). Also, the character of Jennings -my own personal favourite in both the film and the novel- the young photographer who helps Thorn solve the riddle concerning the boy Damien, is significantly expanded.
The unfortunate thing is that there are some differences in comparison to the film that, in my opinion, are unecessary and take away much of the atmosphere that the film succeeds in creating. I will add no spoilers but I can say that while I definitely enjoyed reading the book, it failed to chill my blood and send shivers down my spine in the way the film did. I have watched the movie twice and will watch it again and again. Do I recommend the novelization? Certainly. Will I read it a second time? I doubt it.