Extreme Survival

Michael Tougias is a New York Times Bestselling author who has earned critical acclaim and literary awards for his 30 bestselling non-fiction narratives. Many of his books have been published by Simon & Schuster, St. Martins Press, Henry Holt, and Public Affairs . He co-authored the book, The Finest Hours, about a daring rescue of thirty stranded sailors by the U.S. Coast Guard off the coast of Cape Cod. Disney has released a major motion picture of the same name, starring Chris Pines and Casey Affleck. His latest book Above & Beyond: JFK and America’s Most Dangerous Spy Mission (April 2018) received a starred review from Booklist which said “The writing is superb.” It was also selected by the MA Book Award as one of the “Ten Best Books of the Year.”Tougias has written for over a hundred magazines and newspapers including The New York Times, USA Today, Boston Globe, and many more. He is a sought after speaker who has given keynote lectures in almost all fifty states.

Praise for Books by Michael J. Tougias Extreme Survival: Lessons from Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds“Each page is filled with the amazing arc of a human spirit exceeding all bounds, yet returning us, as readers, to what it means to be wholly human, humane, selfless, yet aware of one’s self—call it identity, our authentic selves, a grasp of what’s meaningful in one’s life. Tougias’ reporting and storytelling has appeal for armchair adventurers, historians of the extreme, for parents and families, teachers, civic leaders, those in business, and all of us in leadership positions large or small, who ask, ‘How do I make the most of this moment?’ “ —Doug Stanton, #1 New York Times bestselling author of In Harm’s Way and Horse Soldiers“If you're clinging to a lifeboat, surrounded by sharks (figuratively or literally), what should you think about? Who should you ignore? What are the patterns of mind and heart that have helped Antarctic explorers, soldiers, lobster fishermen, and prisoners of war stay sane—and alive? Michael Tougias converts the wisdom of survivors into advice we can all use to light up the darkness.” —Amanda Ripley, bestselling author of The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes—and Why“Tougias has chronicled examples of extreme survival in several books over the past 30 years. In researching such stories, Tougias realized it was more than luck that enabled these people to make it out alive.” —The Boston Globe“He's been keeping files about survivors, along with interview notes from about 70 survivors he interviewed, he explained. He also supplements the survivors he interviewed with survivors from history, from Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton to John McCain to Mary Rowlandson in King Philip’s War.“—Cape Cod Times“[Tougias] combines edge-of-your-seat stories with lessons learned and has a book that is both entertaining and inspiring.” —Wicked LocalThe Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue (co-authored with Casey Sherman) “A blockbuster account of tragedy at sea…gives a ‘you-are-there’ feel.” —The Providence Journal“A gripping read!” —James Bradley, author of Flags of Our Fathers Overboard! A True Bluewater Odyssey of Disaster and Survival“A heart-pounding account of the storm that tore apart a forty-five-foot sailboat. Author Michael Tougias is the master of the weather-related disaster book.” —The Boston Globe “Overboard is a beautiful story deserving of a good cry.” —Gatehouse News Service “Tougias has a knack for weaving thoroughly absorbing stories—adventure fans need this one! —Booklist Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea “A passionately recounted peril-at-sea adventure...described with excruciating intensity. A blustery seafarer's delight, rendered with gusto.” —Kirkus Reviews“Tougias spins a marvelous and terrifying yarn….this is a breathtaking book.” —Los Angeles Times “Tougias's terrifying tale will stun you…leaving you breathless, exhilarated, and finally amazed.” —The Providence Journal“Ernie Hazard’s experiences, as related by Tougias, deserve a place as a classic of sea survival history.”—The Boston Globe “Tougias spins a dramatic saga…. (He) has written eighteen books and this is among his most gripping.” —National Geographic Adventure Magazine Ten Hours Until Dawn“The best story of peril at sea since Sebastian Junger’s Perfect Storm. Superb!” —Booklist“What a story!  Tougias’ research and writing make the reader feel as if they are onboard the Can Do during the Blizzard of ’78.” —Governor Michael Dukakis“An incredible tale of heroism and sacrifice.” —Nathaniel Philbrick, National Book Award WinnerSelected as an American Library Association as an Editor’s Choice and “Top Book of the Year”Ten Hours audio book won Audiofiles “Earphones Award” A Storm Too Soon“By depicting the event from the perspective of both the rescued and the rescuers and focusing only on key moments and details, Tougias creates a suspenseful, tautly rendered story that leaves readers breathless but well-satisfied. Heart-pounding action for the avid armchair adventurer.” —Kirkus Reviews“The riveting, meticulously researched A Storm Too Soon tells the true-life tale of an incredible rescue” —New York Post“Tougias deftly switches from heart-pounding details of the rescue to the personal stories of the boat’s crew and those of the rescue team. The result is a well-researched and suspenseful read.” —Publishers Weekly“Already a maven of maritime books with Overboard! and Fatal Forecast, Tougias cinches that title here. Working in the present tense Tougias lets the story tell itself, and what a story! Any one reading (A Storm Too Soon) will laud Tougias’ success.” —Providence Journal

• ContentsChapter One: The Power of Little Steps & Survivors MindsetsChapter Two: Thinking of Others (The Need to Bear Witness, Thinking Outside Oneself)Chapter Three: Control, Reaction, DetachChapter Four: IntuitionChapter Five: Help from Within & BeyondChapter Six: Enduring: Pep Talks, Pats on the Back, and the Possibility of LuckChapter Seven: Rapid Recognition vs. DenialChapter Eight: Blinded by the GoalChapter Nine: Question the Experts (Especially on Vacation!)Chapter Ten: Digging Deep for Options & Resourcefulness Chapter Eleven: Emotion & Adrenaline and the Advantages of Pausing & ReversibilityChapter Twelve: For as Long as It TakesChapter Thirteen: Final Thoughts