Author Michael Tougias will give a slideshow presentation on his book, "The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue," at the Wareham Historical Society's meeting on June 18.

The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Old Methodist Meeting House, located at 495 Main Street.

Tougias' book "The Finest Hours" chronicles the life and death drama of survival, heroism, and a series of tragic mistakes that were set in motion when the U.S. Coast Guard rescued the seamen aboard 2 oil tankers, the "Fort Mercer" and the 500 foot long "Pendleton," after a nor'easter split the tankers in half off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts on February 18, 1952.

Tougias, co-author of "The Finest Hours," will use slides of the storm, the sinking tankers, the victims and the heroes to tell the story of the historic event. Tougias will focus on 4 young Coast Guardsmen who overcame blinding snow and waves that reached 70 feet to save the lives of 32 crewmen stranded aboard the stern of the "Pendleton."

“I enjoy doing these programs,” said Tougias in a statement, “because I like to transport the audience into the heart of the storm so that they ask themselves ‘what would I have done.’ I don’t like to do author readings because I think they are boring, but with a slide presentation, the viewer can visually relive the adventure.”

A book-signing will follow the program, and the presentation is suitable for all ages.

"The Finest Hours" has been the 4th bestselling non-fiction book in New England according to the New England Booksellers Association.

“This event was --and still is-- the greatest and most daring sea rescue ever performed by the Coast Guard," said Tougias. "And it happened right here off the New England coast. I felt this episode of heroism and tragedy needed to be told in its entirety because it’s an important piece of overlooked history."

Tougias is the author of 18 books including "Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea, "which the Los Angeles Times called “breathtaking…a marvelous and terrifying tale.” Tougias’ previous book "Ten Hours Until Dawn: The True Story of Heroism and Tragedy Aboard the Can Do During the Blizzard of ‘78" received an Editor’s Choice Selection from the American Library Association which selected it as one of the top books of the year. For more information, visit www.michaeltougias.com.