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| By Lori Szepelak Correspondent SPRINGFIELD Author Michael Tougias of Norfolk will present a fast paced and moving account of King Philip's War on June 26 at the Pine Point Library. Tougias explained during an interview with Reminder Publications that the Pioneer Valley went up in flames during that war with virtually every town and native village attacked. Drawing on his research from his best-selling book, "King Philip's War: The History and Legacy of America's Forgotten Conflict," co-authored with Eric Schultz, Tougias noted his hour presentation will take the audience on a trip back in time, from the Indian way of life to colonial settlements, and the events leading up to the 1675-76 war. Additionally, Tougias will cover the battles and the strategy during what he termed a "cataclysmic war." "On a per capita basis, it was the bloodiest conflict in our nation's history," he said. Slides will include battle sites, period sketches, historic markers, maps and suggestions for visiting road-side history. Tougias is also the author of the acclaimed "Until I Have No Country (A novel of King Philip's War)," and will discuss native strategy during the war and the challenges of writing a historic novel. "I love the research and the interviewing process in constructing a book," Tougias said. "The writing, however, is tough, but my goal is always to make the book fast paced and tell the story exactly as it happened." Tougias added he is "particularly fascinated" with overlooked events in our regional history, and creates a lecture style that takes the listener right into the story. "I've never enjoyed boring author readings," he said, adding, "that's why I always use visuals and try to make it a fast-paced experience for the audience." Tougias will also take a few minutes to share with listeners some highlights of his best-seller, "Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival At Sea," which is being made into a movie. "It seems like everyone knows about the 'Perfect Storm,' but the 'Fatal Forecast Storm' came first and impacted the same family," Tougias said, adding, "the survival story is one of the most incredible sea survival dramas in history, and since this is a Massachusetts story, it's important people be aware of this." Tougias explained that film writer and producer Ted Mather is currently writing the screenplay. When the screenplay is done, Mather Productions will begin the process of putting the movie together. Tougias will chronicle how in November of 1980, two fishing vessels, the Fair Wind and the Sea Fever, set out from Cape Cod to catch offshore lobsters at Georges Bank. The National Weather Service had forecast typical fall weather in the area for the next three days even though the organization knew that its only weather buoy at Georges Bank was malfunctioning, according to Tougias. Soon after the boats reached the fishing ground, they were hit with hurricane force winds and massive, 60-foot waves that battered the boats for hours. "The captains and crews struggled heroically to keep their vessels afloat in the unrelenting storm," said Tougias. Tougias noted that when he discovered how one of the boats trapped by the storm was operated by the son of the owner of the Andrea Gail in the "Perfect Storm," he knew this was a story worth looking into. "I tracked down the survivors and spent considerable time carefully interviewing them," he said. "Most of the fishermen still live in New England, and they still go out to Georges Bank to fish." Following his 6 p.m. presentation, Tougias will conduct a book signing and answer questions from the audience. He is also the author of "River Days: Exploring the Connecticut River From Source to Sea," "There's A Porcupine In My OutHouse! (Misadventures of a Mountain Man Wannabe)," and "Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do." For more information on Tougias, visit www.michaeltougias.com. |