Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America's Forgotten Heroes [Hardcover]

David Helvarg (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0312363729 | ISBN-13: 978-0312363727 | Publication Date: May 12, 2009 | Edition: First Edition

Since its founding more than two hundred years ago, the United States Coast Guard has rescued over a million people. On any given day, “Coasties” respond to 125 distress calls and save over a dozen lives. Yet despite having more than 50,000 active-duty and reserve members on every ocean and on our nation’s coasts, great lakes, and rivers, most of us know very little about this often neglected but crucial branch of the military.

In Rescue Warriors, award-winning journalist David Helvarg brings us into the daily lives of Coasties, filled with a salty maritime mix of altruism and adrenaline, as well as dozens of death-defying rescues at sea and on hurricane-ravaged shores.

Helvarg spent two years with the men and women of the Coast Guard, from the halls of their academy in New London, Connecticut, to the frigid, storm-tossed waters of Alaska’s Bering Sea, to the northern Persian Gulf, where they currently guard Iraqi oil terminals. The result is a masterpiece of adventure reporting---the definitive book on America’s “forgotten heroes.”

 

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–An informative history starting with the Coast Guard's beginnings in the 18th century, written in straightforward prose. The emphasis is on the fifth armed service's record during the 20th and 21st centuries, especially its unparalleled effectiveness and heroism during Hurricane Katrina. Readers will discover the avenues into its officer corps through its academy in Connecticut (a no-cost education). Helvarg notes particularly how the Coast Guard stresses command opportunities for its junior officers earlier than the Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines for their second lieutenants and ensigns. He provides insights into enlisted careers open to young people. The marked differences in primary missions among the five services are accented–the other services underscore combat and the Coast Guard highlights mainly rescue and law enforcement. The author writes: In addition to saving lives, the Coast Guard conducts port and waterfront security patrols, directs port traffic, responds to water pollution and oil spills, seizes illegal drugs and migrants at sea…licenses mariners, maintains and repairs…aids to navigation…, and so on. This is an excellent title for students interested in the Coast Guard, especially as a possible career choice.–Alan Gropman, National Defense University, Washington, DC END

Review

Advance Praise for Rescue Warriors:

“David Helvarg’s terrific new book takes you to the cutting edge of adventure as he rides along with the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard.  This in-depth and lively look at the history and changing missions of America’s ‘Rescue Warriors,’ should be considered a must-read for anyone who loves the water or cares about the safety, security and stewardship of our nation from sea to shining sea.”

--Robert Kennedy Jr.

“They say that ‘I’m from the government and I’m here to help’ is the ultimate oxymoron. But as this vivid book makes powerfully clear, in the case of the Coast Guard it’s the simple truth. Stow this volume next to the chart case.”

--Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy

Praise for David Helvarg’s Blue Frontier

“A vivid tapestry of an America interwoven with the sea." --San Jose Mercury News
“[Helvarg] takes us on the ultimate wave, cresting and carrying us at breakneck speed. It’s a fast, watery ride, and you’re going to get wet before it’s over.” --Los Angeles Times, Best Books of 2001
“Helvarg writes with humor, compassion, concern, and a keen eye for fascinating detail. Pick up Blue Frontier and you won’t be able to put it down.”

 

--Paul R. Ehrlich, author of Science of Ecology and The End of Affluence

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; First Edition edition (May 12, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312363729
• ISBN-13: 978-0312363727
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #642,983 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Helvarg is President of the Blue Frontier Campaign (www.bluefront.org) and the author of four books, Blue Frontier, The War Against the Greens, 50 Ways to Save the Ocean and Rescue Warriors. He's editor of the Ocean and Coastal Conservation Guide, organizer of several 'Blue Vision' Summits for ocean activists, and winner of Coastal Living Magazine's 2005 Leadership Award and the 2007 Herman Melville literary Award. Helvarg worked as a war correspondent in Northern Ireland and Central America, covered a range of issues from military science to the AIDS epidemic, and reported from every continent including Antarctica. An award-winning journalist, he produced more than 40 broadcast documentaries for PBS, The Discovery Channel, and others. His print work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, LA Times, Smithsonian, Popular Science, Sierra, and The Nation. He's done radio work for Marketplace, AP radio, and Pacifica. He's led workshops for journalists in Poland, Turkey, Tunisia, Slovakia and Washington DC. He is a licensed Private Investigator, body-surfer and scuba diver.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye Opening, May 27, 2009

By 

BookBargainsandPreviews.com "www.bookbargains... (New York) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America's Forgotten Heroes (Hardcover)

I never really knew very much about the Coast Guard, but this book opened my eyes to all that they really do. According to the author, The Coast Guard rescues on an average about 14 people a day and respond to 123 distress calls. It is a very dangerous job and many "Coasties" lose their life during a rescue.

This book was not only a good history of the Coast Guard, but a look into the mission and complex structure of the organization. After reading this book, I have great respect for those who serve their country in this way.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great read about unsung heroes, May 21, 2009

By 

DC Book Angel (Washington DC) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America's Forgotten Heroes (Hardcover)

After you read this book you know that the Coast Guard mission is incredibly complex, that the Coasties lives are on the line on a daily basis, that their organizational structure means on-the-fly good decisions and leadership on the ground, and that Helvarg has done his best to capture the great adventures, the deep training, and the long history in an entertaining and captivating way.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saving Lives and Protecting our Shores - Wow, these Coast Guard men and women get the job done!!, July 13, 2009

By 

Janice Renaud - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America's Forgotten Heroes (Hardcover)

If you're into reality shows but would rather read - check out this page turner! It's full of real life drama on the sea. You'll gain respect for the heroes of the Coast Guard and how they get the job done with limited resources. It will make you call your Congressman to boost their budget. David Helvard is an awesome investigative journalist and he's a quick study when he gets a brief inside look at an organization. I love how David weaves the story from the eyes of the Coast Guardsmen on the front lines. Order it today!! And I'm a Navy man! CAPT Phil Renaud, USN (ret)