Edmund Fitzgerald Books and Informational Resources

The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald
by Frederick Stonehouse

The immensely popular and original book resource about the tragedy, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald takes readers through the several theories involving the wreck, including the continuing investigation that took place after the ship sank. Frederick Stonehouse has made this addition to the family of Fitz books a sure-fire hit for Edmund Fitzgerald enthusiasts. It is a wonderful source of research, and provides "just the facts," leaving little room for error or misinterpretation.

29 Missing
by Andrew Kantar

A very unique book written primarily for young adults, 29 Missing: The True and Tragic Story of the Disappearance of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald provides a dramatic hour-by-hour account of what happened during the fateful voyage on November 10, 1975. It tells a complete story from the events leading up to and following the wreck as well as subsequent expeditions and theories surrounding the sinking. At only 50 pages, it is a very quick read! 

Fitzgerald's Storm: The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
by Joseph MacInnis

Written by a man who explored the wreck site of the ship itself, Joseph MacInnis explores theories of the sinking, the history of the ship, and tells about his 1994 expedition of the Edmund Fitzgerald in this 144 page book. MacInnis also produced a television documentary about the ship, and was instrumental in research and other expeditions to the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Gales of November
by Robert J. Hemming

This book, based on theory itself, explores theories of the sinking, and gives background information that almost no other book offers. It shares moments that were suspected to have happened on the ship before it sank, and shares information about some of the crew members, weaving it into a very interesting narrative. Though the book is partially fiction (surrounding biographical information about the crew), it is very informative. Some family members have responded that some information about individual crew members in the book contains errors and mistakes; it is recommended that readers read and form their own opinion.

Mighty Fitz
by Michael Schumacher
Schumacher recreates the ship's final voyage as well as discussing the many controversies surrounding the tragedy. He discusses what many previous authors leave out - the disputes among the families, historians, and others that exploited the shipwreck - while keeping in mind the 29 lost crew members throughout the story. It even includes information about the back-story of how S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald Online came to be a website (though we used to have a different internet address)!

The Night The Fitz Went Down
by Hugh E. Bishop, Captain Dudley Paquette

This book is unique in that Dudley Paquette, captain, contributed to the story.  Captain Paquette was on Lake Superior the night the Fitz went down, and he shares personal memories of that night, and what he theorizes took place. It is very biographical about Captain Paquette, but it does provide an in depth look of what sailors were going through the night the Edmund Fitzgerald sank.