Michael Tougias

Michael J. Tougias is an American author known for his gripping tales of maritime adventure and historical events. His career spans over 37 books, many of which have become New York Times bestsellers. One of his most notable novels, The Finest Hours (2009), co-authored with Casey Sherman, was adapted into a major Disney film in 2016.

Born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Tougias grew up with a love of the outdoors and a passion for storytelling. He attended Boston College before graduating from Saint Michael's College in Vermont in 1977. He began his writing career in 1990 as a self-syndicated outdoor columnist while managing a division of a major insurance company and published his first book in 1998.

Tougias's fascination with survival stories led him to write about dramatic rescues, often involving the US Coast Guard. The Finest Hours tells the true story of the 1952 rescue mission during a nor'easter off the coast of New England. After the SS Pendleton split apart, the crew was rescued.

The book's meticulous research and compelling narrative brought the story to life, capturing the heroism and danger of the Coast Guard's mission. Describing his attraction to such stories, Tougias said: "I'm drawn to any survival story where I ask myself 'could I have made it' and if the answer is 'no', then that's the survivor I want to interview.

Due to The Finest Hours' success, Disney made a film with Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, and Ben Foster. While Tougias admits that some creative liberties were taken to suit the cinematic format, he was actively involved in the adaptation process, working closely with the screenwriters to ensure the film remained true to historical events. When asked about the experience, he said: "It was a dream come true to see the film made". But I always said, 'Write enough edge-of-your-seat books, and you might get lucky and have one of them made into a film.

Tougias has written several other notable works, including King Philip's War (1999), Fatal Forecast (2006), Overboard (2010) and Extreme Survival: Lessons Learned (2022). His books often highlight remarkable feats of endurance and the profound will to survive.

In addition to his writing, Tougias is a sought-after speaker, giving lectures and inspirational talks across the United States to diverse audiences, including business groups, schools and military personnel.

Photo credit: www.michaeltougias.com