Books with author Dennis M. Powers

Miles off the coast of northern California lies a mariner’s nightmare. Concealed by a roiling sea and thick fog, the jagged edges of a submerged volcanic mountain chain await approaching vessels like a predator in the mist. This is one of the most hazardous reefs off the West Coast. And for over a century, it has been home to the most remote, most expensive, and most dangerous lighthouse ever built in America.Called “Dragon Rocks” in 1792 by British explorer George Vancouver, the area became known as St. George Reef in the hope that its new namesake might slay the dragon. But the beast claimed its greatest victim in 1865 when the side-wheel steamer S.S. Brother Jonathan sank on one of the rocks with the loss of 225 souls, inspiring an extraordinary effort to make the waters safe. The result took ten years to construct and cost as much as twenty-five typical lighthouses on land.In Sentinel of the Seas, Dennis M. Powers chronicles the heroic stories of men and women who have gone where land and sea collide. To build the St. George Reef Lighthouse, Alexander Ballantyne--probably the only man alive who was qualified and brave enough to supervise such a project--faced incredible hurdles, including the haul of six-ton granite blocks onto a spit of washed-over land from a quarry that was seventy-five miles away. In 1937 George Roux, the tough, long-time head lighthouse keeper, was trapped for two months by howling winds and stories-high waves with his crew on the verge of mutiny. His career soon ended abruptly when he attempted later to cross the twelve savage miles between St. George Reef and the nearest port. In 1951 a rogue wave capsized a Coast Guard launch being lowered from the lighthouse, challenging keeper Fred Permenter to attempt a nearly impossible rescue that would ensure him a place in Coast Guard history. Based on five years of extensive research that draws on the National Archives, original journals, and personal interviews, Sentinel of the Seas is the first book to capture the tumultuous history of this astounding engineering feat and the lives that have been influenced by it. The author takes readers back to the dawn of lighthouse design, charting the dramatic moments and courageous people that have shaped a struggle against the oceans that culminate in the singular experience of St. George Reef. A vivid, comprehensive work of history that reads like the best adventure writing, this portrait of human tenacity and the raw fury of nature solidifies the author’s reputation as one of our finest chroniclers of the sea.

Miles off the coast of northern California lies a mariner's nightmare. Concealed by roiling sea and thick fog, the jagged edges of a submerged volcanic mountain chain await approaching vessels like predators in the mist. This is one of the most hazardous reefs off the West Coast. And for over a century, it has been home to the most remote, most expensive, and most dangerous lighthouse ever built in America. Called "Dragon Rocks" in 1792 by British explorer George Vancouver, the area became known as St. George Reef in the hope that its namesake might slay the dragon. But the beast claimed its greatest victim in 1865 when the side-wheel steamer S.S. Brother Jonathan sank on one of the rocks with the loss of 225 souls, inspiring an extraordinary effort to make the waters safe. The result took ten years to construct and cost as much as twenty conventional lighthouses. In Sentinel of the Seas, Dennis M. Powers chronicles the heroic stories of men and women who have gone where land and sea collide. To build the St. George Reef Lighthouse, Alexander Ballantyne--probably the only man alive who was qualified and brave enough to supervise such a project--faced incredible hurdles, including the haul of six-ton granite blocks onto a spit of washed-over land from a quarry seventy-five miles away. In 1937 George Roux, the tough, longtime head lighthouse keeper, was trapped for two months by howling winds and stories-high waves with his crew on the verge of mutiny. In 1951 a rogue wave capsized a Coast Guard launch being lowered from the lighthouse, challenging keeper Fred Permenter to attempt a nearly impossible rescue that would win him a place in Coast Guard history. Based on five years of research drawing on the National Archives, original journals, and personal interviews, Sentinel of the Seas is the first book to capture the tumultuous history of this astounding engineering feat and the lives that have been influenced by it. The author takes readers back to the dawn of lighthouse design, charting the dramatic moments and the courageous people who have shaped a struggle against the oceans that culminates in the singular experience of St. George Reef. A vivid, comprehensive work of history that reads like the best adventure writing, this portrait of human tenacity and the raw fury of nature solidifies Dennis M. Powers's reputation as one of our finest chroniclers of the sea.

When Papaw Estel, Grandma Hannahs husband of fifty years, passed away, she was left alone on her small farm to do the chores and reminisce about all the places she had wanted to travel.Kate, her twelve-year-old granddaughter, who had a close relationship with Grandma Hannah, steps in to fill the loneliness, help with the chores, and by traveling for her, shows her the world through the eyes of a child. Dennis Powers and his wife, Tracy, have dedicated their lives to improving the human condition, Tracy as campus director for a community college; Dennis as an esteemed member of the Tennessee General Assembly. These life partners have combined their experiences and writing skills to pen Little KateWorld Traveler. I am hopeful that readers of the book, young and old, will be reminded that contributing to the happiness and well-being of others is paramount in the whole scheme of life.Jim Dossett, author of Finding Bobby Ray and Starvin Dog and the Guardians

When Papa Estel, Grandma Hannah’s husband of fifty years, passed away, she was left alone on her small farm to do the chores and reminisce about all the places she had wanted to travel. Kate, her twelve-year-old granddaughter, who had a close relationship with Grandma Hannah, steps in to fill the loneliness, help with the chores, and by traveling for her, shows her the world through the eyes of a child. “Dennis Powers and his wife, Tracy, have dedicated their lives to improving the human condition, Tracy as campus director for a community college; Dennis as an esteemed member of the Tennessee General Assembly. These life partners have combined their experiences and writing skills to pen Little Kate—World Traveler. I am hopeful that readers of the book, young and old, will be reminded that contributing to the happiness and well-being of others is paramount in the whole scheme of life.” —Jim Dossett, author of Finding Bobby Ray and Starvin’ Dog and the Guardians