Praise and Reviews for Bearing Drift
"Peter Eident gracefully narrates the heroic and tragic story of the Cuyahoga disaster. More than a remarkable account of survival at sea, Bearing Drift exemplifies a Coast Guard officer's intricate relationship to the sea, military tradition, and aftermath of a tragedy."
-Senator John F. Kerry
“I found your book to be wonderfully educational, emotional, and entertaining.”
-Captain John. C. O’Connor, USCG Dean of Students, US Coast Guard Academy
“This is the funniest thing I’ve read in years…(I was) stomping my feet and grabbing my sides…”
-Fred Fairchild, Charleston, South Carolina
“I really enjoy your sense of humor and irony throughout the manuscript…I laughed often…
very often, and there were times when tears would come from my eyes.”
-Daniel A. Neptun, Admiral USCG – Commander of the First Coast Guard District
“This is going to be a damn good book.”
-Michael McIrvin, Author of The Blue Man Dreams the End of Time and other works.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you send this to me to read. I can tell you it is
one of the most interesting books I have ever read.”
-Roger Emory, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Vietnam War Hero
“I greatly enjoyed your book…I also loved your stories of growing up in New England. This will be a great book. I am looking forward to seeing it on the shelf at Barnes and Noble.”
- Dave Conklin, Houston TX, Marine Inspection Expert
“Congratulations on a fine piece of writing. I was very impressed with the detail that you included that makes the story come to life. I also enjoyed the humor as well as the sad episodes of your story; you certainly stimulated the full range of human emotions.”
- Ray Leoni, Woodbridge CT, Author of Blackhawk
“The book is tremendous! Is it one of those books that’s hard to put down? Absolutely! I read it in 3 shifts.”
- Kevin Payne, San Fransico CA, Electrician
“I read your manuscript and enjoyed it... I’m ready to hoist a few at the Captain Kidd when you are. Did the error chain on why I ended up here - it wasn’t pretty!”
- Jim Corcoran, Stratford CT, International Executive
“I love the humor in it and am amazed by how well it is researched. I look forward to reading the NY Times review. Nice job describing the Horseshoe crab technology!”
- Bethanie Wilkinson PhD, Clinton CT, Molecular Biologist
“Your book is very interesting and humorous! I think that it will be a hit for many readers, particularly Cape Codders!”
- Robert Murchellano, PhD West Falmouth, Retired NOAA Scientist
“A salty “Wonder Years” with a little history and science mixed in with bar fights… and two shipwrecks that rock the Guard to its core… I thought the style was very reminiscent of the witty travel writer, Bill Bryson… I enjoyed it immensely. I read it with my wife and her whole family on a ski vacation. We all found it to be gripping. In general it was very funny, and yes at times it was irreverent…”
- Dan O’Connell, Sun Valley ID, Retired Engineer
“You made me laugh so the time was well spent. This is excellent writing. I’ll admit to taking the morning away from the puissant litigation to read it.”
- Arne Deny, Skagit County WA, County Deputy Prosecutor
“I really enjoyed reading Bearing Drift. I found all of the stories from your childhood and young adulthood interesting and fun to read and they really developed your character for the reader. The story flows nicely and keeps your attention building up to the collision. I like your sense of humor and I think a lot of my female friends will too. Maybe it’s because most of us have sons so we can relate a little to what you were feeling/thinking. The letter written by Ray and Laura Wood is heartbreaking! Still brings tears to my eyes.”
- Greta Jones, Mystic CT, Literary Editor
“I love your writing style… with your ability to include humor to what was a very serious situation. Good luck with the final version...can’t wait to read it!”
- Carolee Fairchild, Clearwater FL, Wife of a Survivor
“I’m very excited about seeing this book in print….you nailed it.”
- Rick Riemer, Richmond VA, Technical Writer
Reviews from Amazon.com
Peter Eident's, Bearing Drift, is a significant and enjoyable book. It is centered on his riveting first-hand account about the sinking of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Cuyahoga. The book's significance is political, ethical, and emotional. Readers will enjoy the author's command of technical, historical, and nautical details. Eident tells great stories. Excepting the tense and heart-rending sections on the collision, many parts of the book are hilarious, and it is filled with wisdom throughout. The author's boyhood on Cape Cod, experiences at officers' candidate school, and active duty are described by a wise person / self-depreciating wise-guy. The shipwreck revealed systemic flaws wrought by budget cutting and unrealistic political expectations levied on the Coast Guard. Eident considers practical and ethical aspects of teaching and service, worthy issues. Readers, who have been to sea, will enjoy shared experiences, here. Most of us will probably also be thankful: Eident's vividly credible story of the disaster is as close as we will ever get to this experience.
-Tom Dorsey
Having been familiar with the Cuyahoga disaster from decades ago, I never pondered the loss of life beyond the superficial sadness that always accompanies those who have fallen in the line of duty. This book really brings these heroes to life in a personal way. Dr. Eident writes with intellect and introspection and a wit reminiscent of Bill Bryson or A.C. Weisbecker. This is a great read for all who venture to sea, live by the sea, or have ever heard of the sea.
-Dan O'Connell
This not a book I would normally read. I do like fiction such as from John Grisham, but I tend to stay away from books with historical facts. I had my doubts, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had trouble putting it down. It flows nicely and each of the historical facts was provided with enough human interest points to keep the book engrossing. I do love the nautical aspects; the culture of coastal life and colorful stories about growing up on Cape Cod. But what was best was the building up to the suspenseful chapters. I admit, I was up late one night unable to put down the book during nail biting description of the collision at sea. The humor is tastefully inserted to provide the comic relief needed by such a serious topic. I found the Coast Guard's history so fascinating because of the perspective of the economic as well as cultural factors of the period of the 70's and 80's. The tone allows one to feel an intimacy with the author and understand the emotion and sometimes frustration resulting from the events. It was easy to understand the unfolding errors through the use of the "error chains"; these are so matter of fact, that it is easy to see no fault or blame is needed; it just was, what it was. Overall, I have a new respect for the USCG after reading this book. I use to think of the USCG as policemen on the ocean; but now I see them more as heroic servicemen.
-Bethanie E. Wilkinson
I never would have imagined that "military history" could make for such interesting reading. The author draws on many vignettes from his Cape Cod childhood in a large and active family, as well as his time playing football and working as a bouncer, that led to his eventual service in the Coast Guard. He presents them with such self-deprecating wit, that I found myself chortling aloud at his exploits. He also has a great sense of how diverse aspects of our country's history and the culture of the time converged to make the Coast Guard what it was in 1978, when a routine training exercise went tragically wrong. Eagerly awaiting Eident's next book, whatever the subject might be, I'd settle for sitting by the seaside and hearing whatever yarns he might spin!
-J "Reader & Listener" (Summit, NJ)
Postcard reviews forwarded to author...redacted of personal details:
-Senator John F. Kerry
“I found your book to be wonderfully educational, emotional, and entertaining.”
-Captain John. C. O’Connor, USCG Dean of Students, US Coast Guard Academy
“This is the funniest thing I’ve read in years…(I was) stomping my feet and grabbing my sides…”
-Fred Fairchild, Charleston, South Carolina
“I really enjoy your sense of humor and irony throughout the manuscript…I laughed often…
very often, and there were times when tears would come from my eyes.”
-Daniel A. Neptun, Admiral USCG – Commander of the First Coast Guard District
“This is going to be a damn good book.”
-Michael McIrvin, Author of The Blue Man Dreams the End of Time and other works.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you send this to me to read. I can tell you it is
one of the most interesting books I have ever read.”
-Roger Emory, Hampton Roads, Virginia, Vietnam War Hero
“I greatly enjoyed your book…I also loved your stories of growing up in New England. This will be a great book. I am looking forward to seeing it on the shelf at Barnes and Noble.”
- Dave Conklin, Houston TX, Marine Inspection Expert
“Congratulations on a fine piece of writing. I was very impressed with the detail that you included that makes the story come to life. I also enjoyed the humor as well as the sad episodes of your story; you certainly stimulated the full range of human emotions.”
- Ray Leoni, Woodbridge CT, Author of Blackhawk
“The book is tremendous! Is it one of those books that’s hard to put down? Absolutely! I read it in 3 shifts.”
- Kevin Payne, San Fransico CA, Electrician
“I read your manuscript and enjoyed it... I’m ready to hoist a few at the Captain Kidd when you are. Did the error chain on why I ended up here - it wasn’t pretty!”
- Jim Corcoran, Stratford CT, International Executive
“I love the humor in it and am amazed by how well it is researched. I look forward to reading the NY Times review. Nice job describing the Horseshoe crab technology!”
- Bethanie Wilkinson PhD, Clinton CT, Molecular Biologist
“Your book is very interesting and humorous! I think that it will be a hit for many readers, particularly Cape Codders!”
- Robert Murchellano, PhD West Falmouth, Retired NOAA Scientist
“A salty “Wonder Years” with a little history and science mixed in with bar fights… and two shipwrecks that rock the Guard to its core… I thought the style was very reminiscent of the witty travel writer, Bill Bryson… I enjoyed it immensely. I read it with my wife and her whole family on a ski vacation. We all found it to be gripping. In general it was very funny, and yes at times it was irreverent…”
- Dan O’Connell, Sun Valley ID, Retired Engineer
“You made me laugh so the time was well spent. This is excellent writing. I’ll admit to taking the morning away from the puissant litigation to read it.”
- Arne Deny, Skagit County WA, County Deputy Prosecutor
“I really enjoyed reading Bearing Drift. I found all of the stories from your childhood and young adulthood interesting and fun to read and they really developed your character for the reader. The story flows nicely and keeps your attention building up to the collision. I like your sense of humor and I think a lot of my female friends will too. Maybe it’s because most of us have sons so we can relate a little to what you were feeling/thinking. The letter written by Ray and Laura Wood is heartbreaking! Still brings tears to my eyes.”
- Greta Jones, Mystic CT, Literary Editor
“I love your writing style… with your ability to include humor to what was a very serious situation. Good luck with the final version...can’t wait to read it!”
- Carolee Fairchild, Clearwater FL, Wife of a Survivor
“I’m very excited about seeing this book in print….you nailed it.”
- Rick Riemer, Richmond VA, Technical Writer
Reviews from Amazon.com
Peter Eident's, Bearing Drift, is a significant and enjoyable book. It is centered on his riveting first-hand account about the sinking of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter, Cuyahoga. The book's significance is political, ethical, and emotional. Readers will enjoy the author's command of technical, historical, and nautical details. Eident tells great stories. Excepting the tense and heart-rending sections on the collision, many parts of the book are hilarious, and it is filled with wisdom throughout. The author's boyhood on Cape Cod, experiences at officers' candidate school, and active duty are described by a wise person / self-depreciating wise-guy. The shipwreck revealed systemic flaws wrought by budget cutting and unrealistic political expectations levied on the Coast Guard. Eident considers practical and ethical aspects of teaching and service, worthy issues. Readers, who have been to sea, will enjoy shared experiences, here. Most of us will probably also be thankful: Eident's vividly credible story of the disaster is as close as we will ever get to this experience.
-Tom Dorsey
Having been familiar with the Cuyahoga disaster from decades ago, I never pondered the loss of life beyond the superficial sadness that always accompanies those who have fallen in the line of duty. This book really brings these heroes to life in a personal way. Dr. Eident writes with intellect and introspection and a wit reminiscent of Bill Bryson or A.C. Weisbecker. This is a great read for all who venture to sea, live by the sea, or have ever heard of the sea.
-Dan O'Connell
This not a book I would normally read. I do like fiction such as from John Grisham, but I tend to stay away from books with historical facts. I had my doubts, but I was pleasantly surprised. I had trouble putting it down. It flows nicely and each of the historical facts was provided with enough human interest points to keep the book engrossing. I do love the nautical aspects; the culture of coastal life and colorful stories about growing up on Cape Cod. But what was best was the building up to the suspenseful chapters. I admit, I was up late one night unable to put down the book during nail biting description of the collision at sea. The humor is tastefully inserted to provide the comic relief needed by such a serious topic. I found the Coast Guard's history so fascinating because of the perspective of the economic as well as cultural factors of the period of the 70's and 80's. The tone allows one to feel an intimacy with the author and understand the emotion and sometimes frustration resulting from the events. It was easy to understand the unfolding errors through the use of the "error chains"; these are so matter of fact, that it is easy to see no fault or blame is needed; it just was, what it was. Overall, I have a new respect for the USCG after reading this book. I use to think of the USCG as policemen on the ocean; but now I see them more as heroic servicemen.
-Bethanie E. Wilkinson
I never would have imagined that "military history" could make for such interesting reading. The author draws on many vignettes from his Cape Cod childhood in a large and active family, as well as his time playing football and working as a bouncer, that led to his eventual service in the Coast Guard. He presents them with such self-deprecating wit, that I found myself chortling aloud at his exploits. He also has a great sense of how diverse aspects of our country's history and the culture of the time converged to make the Coast Guard what it was in 1978, when a routine training exercise went tragically wrong. Eagerly awaiting Eident's next book, whatever the subject might be, I'd settle for sitting by the seaside and hearing whatever yarns he might spin!
-J "Reader & Listener" (Summit, NJ)
Postcard reviews forwarded to author...redacted of personal details: