Author, former Daily Press reporter to sign new book about Newport News Shipbuilding and its workers in Virginia Beach
The author of a new book about Newport News Shipbuilding workers will sign copies of the book at a Virginia Beach Barnes & Noble store Saturday.
Michael Fabey wrote “Heavy Metal: The Hard Days and Nights of the Shipyard Workers Who Build America’s Supercarriers,” published by HarperCollins.
Fabey, of Spotsylvania County, covered Newport News Shipbuilding and the defense industry for the Daily Press from 2000-04. He’s currently the U.S. editor for Jane’s Fighting Ships, based in the United Kingdom.
The book tells the story of shipyard workers — from welders to electricians to machinists — as they build aircraft carriers at the Newport News yard.
“Heavy Metal puts us on the waterfront and into the lives of these men and women as they battle layoffs, the elements, impossible deadlines, extraordinary pressure, workplace dangers, and a pandemic to complete a ship that will be essential to protect America’s way of life,” the book’s jacket says.
In 2017, Fabey released another book, “Crashback,” about tensions in the Pacific between the United States and Chinese navies.
Saturday’s book signing will run from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble at 7901 Lynnhaven Parkway in Virginia Beach.
Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com
