Unlike those constructed on land, St. George Reef lighthouse was built on a slippery, moss-covered rock many miles offshore. Constant pounding by waves - at times high enough to sweep over the lighthouse during frequent gale force storms - made construction and water travel perilous. The men couldn’t return home, and trips between the construction site and the moored ship serving as living quarters were inherently dangerous. Tools, food, and supplies were periodically shipped in. The account of the construction of the St. George Reef Lighthouse has all the makings of a fascinating story.  

Powers researched the St. George project for five years, and the book relates accounts of near-miss construction accidents, ships breaking loose from moorings, and frustrations at inadequate funding for the project. Sixteen pages of photos are included in the book as well. Unfortunately, despite the research effort, Powers seems unable to transform this wealth of information into a compelling story.  

Well-crafted narrative nonfiction requires judicious selection of information. Not everything needs to be included. In Sentinel of the Seas, the narrative line is obscured by unnecessary and redundant information, resulting in a frustrating reader experience. Sadly, the intriguing, powerful story has been submerged beneath mundane, wordy flotsam.