Michael Tougias

NY Times Bestselling Author & Historian

Expertise:
American History & True Survival

Available for in-person lectures in:
All of FL

Available via Zoom?
Yes

To book Michael, e-mail:
dan@hudakonhollywood.com

Michael J. Tougias is a NY Times Bestselling author of over 30 non-fiction books, including The Finest Hours which was made into a Disney movie starring Chris Pine and Casey Affleck. Tougias delivers edge-of-your-seat slide presentations covering topics such as lesser known WWII incidents, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and true survival and rescue at sea. He has spoken to groups large and small in almost all 50 states and has been featured in national media such as The Weather Channel, ABC’s 20-20, Fox, CBS Sunday Morning, National NPR, The NY Times, The Wall Street Journal and more. His presentations are designed to entertain, inform and inspire.

“I love speaking and surprising the audience with little known events that had a big impact on our world." All of my programs include amazing slides from the actual incident and some of the images are breath-taking.” Tougias splits his time between Hobe Sound FL and Boston MA. When not speaking or writing, Tougias is on the ocean fishing, working in his vegetable garden, or enjoying his remote cabin in Vermont.

Carol Wagner & Rip Fisher

Thank you so much for making our event a grand success. Everyone loved hearing you speak . and feedback has been tremendous. Will have you back again soon.

-Carol Wagner & Rip Fisher, Sailfish Point FL, Residents Association

David Driver

Michael Tougias was a big hit! Audience feedback has been tremendous.

-David Driver, The Emerson Center, Vero Beach

Joey Dobbs

You are the perfect speaker. Heaven sent you to us

-Joey Dobbs, Emerson Center

Denise Edwards

Many thank you for the excellent talk yesterday. In addition to all the positive feedback at the venue, I received emails and phone calls. More than that, you could feel the upbeat energy in the room. You are such a natural and engaging speaking.

-Denise Edwards, The Harvard Club

Cape May Film Festival

The audience was so impressed with your talk and thoroughly entertained.

-Cape May Film Festival

Kim Miele

As you begin planning for next year, please consider Michael Tougias. We just had him last week and he received all 5's- our highest rated speaker this year and the group raved about him. Loved his takeaways and so enjoyed Michael. This is the second time we have had him speak. Michael is so kind and easy to work with and I hope you will consider him for your group.

-Kim Miele, Executive Director Gulf Coast CEO Forum

Brent Philips

Mike and his presentation were fantastic. We could not have asked for a better person to speak at our college. Can’t say enough superlatives. Hope we can have him back someday!

-Brent Philips, Dean of Cloud County Community College (KS)

Scott Ramsden

Michael delivered a captivating presentation. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a skilled speaker to present to their organization.

-Scott Ramsden, South Florida Business Aviation Association

Carolyn Read

I’m getting great feedback about your talk, and we broke a new fundraising record that day. Hope we can work again soon!

-Carolyn Read, Habitat for Humanity

Judith Bogue

Our audience was awed. Great delivery and well researched.

-Judith Bogue, General Dynamics.

Dennis Fruitt

They are still talking about your presentation last week – such a big success!

-Dennis Fruitt, Library Foundation of Florida

Katie McDonald

Thanks so much for such a great presentation at our Annual Meeting last week. For years I have been hearing such good things about your presentations, and they were all true!

-Katie McDonald, Old Colony Historical Museum

Jessica Schmitt

Perfect pacing, inspiration and content. Thank you!

-Jessica Schmitt, Director, Annual Fundraiser, Love of Literacy of Indian River County FL

Peter Landon

It was a stellar evening thanks to your presentation. Feedback was sky-high! You had us on the edge of our seats.

-Peter Landon, Century Club

Brittany Curtis

I want to thank you for delivering a talk that the audience could not stop talking about, they really enjoyed every minute of it. One of the best talks at the Museum yet.

-Brittany Curtis, Coral Springs Museum of Art

Kevin Smith

Michael Tougias did an incredible job of engaging our audience at the Florida Literacy Association annual conference. He provided both a featured speaker session and a wonderful talk at our author’s lunch.

-Kevin Smith, President Florida Literacy Association

Lectures include:

Narrated Slide Programs



Florida & The Untold Story of the Cuban Missile Crisis

Little known story of President Kennedy and the U-2 Spy Plane pilot shot down over Cuba during Missile Crisis, based on Tougias’ bestseller Above & Beyond. In this slide program, Tougias chronicles how the pilots, stationed in Florida, made daring reconnaissance flights over Cuba and one pilot was shot down and killed. President Kennedy secretly audio recorded every meeting he held on the crisis and from those recordings as well as recently declassified CIA documents, the author surprises the audience with four little known events that put us on the brink of WWIII.



Screening & Discussion of the Disney movie The Finest Hours based on the author’s book by the same name.

Buckle-up for an exciting adventure of the Coast Guards Most Daring Rescue which occurred in a blizzard off Cape Cod in 1952. Tougias was involved in the screenplay, and attended the filming, and he shares his insights into the making of the movie starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, and Eric Bana. (The lecture also includes some humorous moments during the filming as well as scenes that did not go according to plan.) Tougias will also share incredible slides of the actual rescue.



U-Boats So Close To Home: A True Story of an American Family’s Survival During WWII.

This amazing survival story occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, and Tougias also details the attacks off Florida. Using the U-boat Commanders War diary, Tougias shares the action occurring on the Uboat as well as the sinking ship where the family soon found themselves treading water in the Gulf. (Based on the author’s bestseller So Close To Home)



The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis in WWII

Harrowing story of survival. The sinking of Indianapolis resulted in the greatest single loss of life at sea from a single ship in the history of the US Navy. Tougias will also discuss why certain people survived against all odds. Of the 900 men who were blown into the ocean many were killed by sharks, hypothermia, and drowning and only 300 survived. The Captain was court martial but Tougias discusses whether or not this was fair.

Abandon Ship: WWII Most Unusual Incident

German Uboat commander sinks ship the size of the Titanic then rescues as many survivors as possible. Story gets stranger when an American plane intentionally bombs the Uboat knowing over 110 survivors are onboard. Ultimately story is one of triumph for those who survived 7 weeks in an open boat without food and drifted 700 miles. (Tougias co-wrote Abandon Ship which is a “cross-over” book for both adults and young adults)



Extreme Survival: Lessons from Those Who Triumphed Against All Odds.

Tougias interviewed over 100 survivors involved in life and death situations, and from those picked the most incredible stories to share with the audience. Using slides, Tougias takes an inside look at techniques to overcome adversity based on the research for the new book Extreme Survival. The author also includes some of the most resourceful survivors from history and how the techniques they used can help us all when we face a challenge.

Are you ready to bring Hudak On Hollywood to your community?

Please e-mail dan@hudakonhollywood.com for additional information. We look forward to hearing from you!

dan@hudakonhollywood.com