Jim Barry's history of the maritime disasters of the Great Lakes is well researched and documented. It includes 149 black-and-white photographs of wrecks from the late 19th century as well as the 20th century. The author includes a comprehensive bibliography, notes, and an index. James Barry made his first voyage on a lake freighter at the age of eight, and soon afterward learned to sail in a Mackinaw boat. His interest in the Great Lakes continued through a career as a Regular Army Officer, a university administrator, director of an arts organization, and editor of a quarterly review. Seven of his previous books have dealt with various aspects of the Lakes. Barry's other published books include: Ships of the Great Lakes: Georgian Bay, The Sixth Great Lake; The Fate of the Lakes; The Battle of Lake Erie; The Great Lakes and Georgian Bay an Illustrated History. Barry's newest title, Old Forts of the Great Lakes: Sentinels in the Wilderness, continues the tradition of comprehensively researched and dramatically presented titles about the Great Lakes and their history.