The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald by John U. Bacon audiobook cover

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The Gales of November Audiobook by John U. Bacon— narrated by Johnny Heller

The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald

John U. Bacon's The Gales of November turns the 1975 sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald into patient, deeply reported narrative nonfiction, tracing the Great Lakes shipping boom that built the ship before reconstructing its final hours through the families left behind. It's maritime history for readers who want the human cost as much as the storm.

Why the audiobook wins

Johnny Heller narrates a book of patient, deeply reported nonfiction about the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975. John U. Bacon explains ships, weather and lake science in plain terms, and the emotional weight sits with the families of the twenty-nine men who died. It reads like a story told by someone who knows the lake and respects the people.

The pace is deliberate. The first stretch is a wide-angle history of Great Lakes shipping and the jobs aboard, and the storm arrives slowly. That run-up pays off once you know what a wheelman does and why the ship was thought safe. It rewards patience, so it suits long drives and quiet evenings.

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Audiobook questions

Who narrates the The Gales of November audiobook?
Johnny Heller narrates the audiobook edition of The Gales of November.
Is the The Gales of November audiobook worth listening to?
We scored The Gales of November 4.5 out of 5. Johnny Heller narrates a book of patient, deeply reported nonfiction about the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald on Lake Superior in 1975. John U. Bacon explains ships, weather and lake science in plain terms, and the emotional weight sits with the families of the twenty-nine men…
Can I listen to The Gales of November free with an Audible trial?
Eligible new Audible members can use a free-trial credit to listen in the Audible app. Eligibility and current offer terms are set by Audible.
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Is The Gales of November on Kindle+?
No. The Gales of November was not included with Kindle+ when we last checked on September 17, 2026.
What formats is The Gales of November available in?
On Amazon, The Gales of November comes as a Kindle ebook, a paperback and a hardcover.

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