The Lost Boys of Montauk

The True Story of the Wind Blown, Four Men Who Vanished at Sea, and the Survivors They Left Behind

By: Amanda M. Fairbanks

Narrated by: Cynthia Farrell

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

An immersive account of a tragedy at sea whose repercussions haunt its survivors to this day, lauded by New York Times bestselling author Ron Suskind as “an honest and touching book, and a hell of a story.”

In March of 1984, the commercial fishing boat Wind Blown left Montauk Harbor on what should have been a routine offshore voyage. Its captain, a married father of three young boys, was the boat’s owner and leader of the four-man crew, which included two locals and the blue-blooded son of a well-to-do summer family. After a week at sea, the weather suddenly turned, and the foursome collided with a nor’easter. They soon found themselves in the fight of their lives. Tragically, it was a fight they lost. Neither the boat nor the bodies of the men were ever recovered. The downing of the Wind Blown has since become interwoven with the local folklore of the East End’s year-round population. Its tragic fate will never be forgotten.

In this “riveting man-vs.-nature story and compelling tribute to those who perished” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), journalist Amanda M. Fairbanks seeks out the reasons why an event more than three decades old remains so startlingly vivid in people’s minds. She explores the ways in which deep, lasting grief can alter people’s memories. And she shines a light on the powerful and sometimes painful dynamics between fathers and sons, as well as the secrets that can haunt families from beyond the grave.

©2021 Amanda M. Fairbanks. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Great summer read with deep history and pulls on your heartstrings...

For many east end locals this book can seem contentious, sometimes touching to close to home for a not so distance past. But there is another beautiful side to this story, the story of a determined, hardworking community of fisherman. Deep with local history, this provides a glimpse into the real daily life of local Montauk fisherman and the families and loved ones who depend on them. A story that needs to be read (heard)!

Robotic Voice

The story line was good but the voice sounded like a computer generated voice making listening to a good story somewhat difficult.

Almost lost me in the middle

Growing up in the town and knowing many of the characters it was harder to enjoy some of the embellishment and idolization of the situation. There were many young people of the time pushing boundaries and driving change.

I also found the constant references to street names and minor details distracting and reminds the reader that the description of from an outsider trying to place themselves in a place that is more complex and simple than it appears on the map.

Great book!!!

if u love long island and Montauk u have to read or listen in..I wish they taught us this info in our history books..graduated around this time, would've took up surfing if I knew what Montauk was like back then...

Heartfelt account of a tragic event.

This book held my attention throughout. Very well told and narrated. Very thorough account of what happened.

Fantastic research and stroytelling

This is a fantastic book that does more than tell the story of an ill fated fishing trip. The author dives into the lives and lifestyles, good and bad, of those who work on these boats and their families. If you enjoy stories of everyday people who work in jobs that we often don't think about please give this book some attention. If you have ever made your living in the fishing industry i double my recommendation to read this. Great read / listen!

An overall good read..

Writer identified each character clearly. Gave great visuals so that I could see the setting in my head. Enjoyed the storyline.

Extraordinary Nonfiction

From commercial fishing to surfing, this is an extraordinary book about a very specific place over a critical time in its development and you will learn so much, even as you hear about the crew that vanished in this storm and the survivors who had to carry on. Highly recommended.

A story that touched my heart.

It’s a wonderful story, rich with emotion and history. Having spent many years in Montauk, it was especially interesting and also sad.
But the author, in her wish to tell of so much history, both of the families and the fishing industry, jumped around way too much. There was no natural flow to the book. And the narrator was the equivalent to the GPS in my car!

Good story horrible narration

Can’t believe Audible hired this narrator. A really good story flattened by robotic emotionless narration. Ug