NY Times bestselling author Tougias to present “The Waters Between Us: Growing Up in the 1960’s and 70’s”. This true memoir was described by National Book Award Finalist Sy Montgomery as “Unforgettable” and “A song of praise to the outdoors”.  It’s a chance for the audience to get a new look at what it was like to grow up in the 1960’s with all the turmoil and a look at the remarkable journey of Tougias’s father. 

Michael J. Tougias, author of over 30 books, will give an on-line slide presentation telling the story chronicled in his new bestseller The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father, Outdoor Misadventures and the Healing Power of Nature. 

Tougias says that the both the presentation and the book have three main components. “I was a wild kid by nature and choice who sought out wild places. That combination invariably led to trouble, misadventure and occasionally joy. I feel lucky to have grown up in a time when a kid could spend the entire day on their own in the great outdoors with no parental interference. I learned by trial and error, with no adult ‘expertizing’ about the right way to fish or camp.” Tougias says the second and third story lines that run through the book involve his father. “This is also the story of my father and my relationship with him: the journey from misunderstanding, disappointment, and hostility to love, acceptance, and admiration. His response in the face of adversity and family tragedy is nothing short of remarkable. And finally this is my journey from feeling lost to ultimately finding my place both figuratively and literally.”

Tougias explains that the title hints at the divide with his father but the subtitle adds more clarity. “I wrestled with the title and subtitle, but now I’m happy with the final result: The Waters Between Us: A Boy, A Father, Outdoor Misadventure, and the Healing Power of Nature.” Nature writer Sy Montgomery, a National Book Award Finalist describes the book as follows: “The Waters Between Us is a song of praise to the outdoors, an apology for boyhood misunderstandings, and a loving appreciation for a father whose grace, joy and kindness remained steadfast in the face of tragedy.  Young Michael Tougias reminds me of Huck Finn, and it’s great fun to accompany him on his river adventures. This is an unforgettable memoir.”

Tougias explains that when writing the book he tried to channel the humor of Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods with Maya Angelou’s raw honesty in I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. “Those two writers”, says Tougias, “are an inspiration for anyone writing a memoir.” In the presentation Tougias will also discusses the events of the1960’s from Neil Armstrong landing on the moon to Woodstock. And how 1968 was a turbulent and gut- wrenching year with the Vietnam War, riots, and the assassination of MLK and JFK.

Tougias is the author and co-author of 30 books for adults and 6 for children. His co-written book The Finest Hours became a Disney movie. “There are better writers than me,” says Tougias, “but not too many as versatile. I think I’ve written in every category  there is. When I’m writing, my mantra for all my books is make it fast-paced.” You can learn more at www.michaeltougias.com
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