Well written piece of narrative non-fiction. Enjoyed knowing about this piece of U.S. history. ( )

When you think of famous ship disasters, the Titanic and the Lusitania are probably the two names that come to mind. However, there is another disaster that until recently has mostly been forgotten. The Eastland was an excursion boat on Lake Michigan with a reputation for being a bit cranky due to her design. Over the years she had had some near disasters, and the number of people she was allowed to carry was reduced. Her owners, however, were determined to raise her capacity in order to make more money. Thus, shortly before her fateful voyage, lifeboats were added and other changes were made.

On the morning of July 24, 1915, thousands of Western Electric employees and their families arrived at the Chicago riverfront to board several ships that would ferry them to the annual company picnic in Michigan City. While still sitting in port, the Eastland began to list. As thousands of horrified people watched, the ship capsized sending 844 men, women, and children to their untimely deaths. Using eyewitness accounts, first-hand testimony, photographs, and archived materials, author Jay Bonasinga has woven together a gripping tale of greed and tragedy.

The Bottom Line: This is a fast-paced read that focuses on a mostly forgotten tragedy in American history. By placing the spotlight on the lives of the passengers, crew members, rescue workers, and an undertaker, Bonansinga has retold the unimaginable horrors of the day with vivid imagery. Very highly recommended for nonfiction readers of American history, Chicago history, survival, shipwrecks, and other disasters.

For the complete review including Book Club Notes, please visit the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 I wrote:

During this last week I completed reading 3 books.
The first was also a Non Fiction about the Sidney Hobart race, something I did not know anything about before reading.
Afterwards i picked up The Vanishing Point a totally different genre, which I loved and read in 1 day and a half.

Now I've just read this book by Jay Bonansinga.
I am referring to the Sydney and Hobart book because that took me a while to get in, but overall it was a decent read.

When comparing that book to The Sinking of The Eastland, I must say Eastland wins easily. From the first page I was intrigued and I wanted to read more.
Never heard of this disaster accident. Jay Bonansinga has a great way of writing. It feels like you are there, in the boat, in the water, as a spectator, as a rescuer.
Correct me if I am wrong but I think this is his first Non Fiction book, he normally writes thrillers. Well He is a great writer and I hope he will write more Non Fiction books Highly recommend.

( )

Another great, albeit tragic, Chicago history that had repercussions that reached beyond the city. Also linked to some ghost stories of Chicago. Well-written, and absorbing. ( )

Author of many published books (fiction) and a web serial, Jay truly has the story of the Eastland Disaster in his heart. This trait, combined with Jay's gift of vividly describing what he wishes his readers to see, smell, taste, and feel, makes for the perfect combination to write the story of the Eastland Disaster. As he leads you through each chapter, Jay perfectly describes what the people experienced as the tragedy unfolded. He provides in perfect detail a very real sense of what it was like to experience one of this country's greatest tragedies. In his own words Bonansinga says that he is "not writing about what happened, but instead about what it was like." ( )