Customer Reviews

U.S. Life-Saving Service: Heroes, Rescues and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard

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I'll make no bones about it. I'm a Coast Guard historian, so I approach the reading of this book differently than most others. As editor of a magazine dedicated to the history of the U.S Life-Saving Service and early U.S. Coast Guard, I need handy reference books around at all times, and Shanks' and York's The United States Life-Saving Service: Heroes, Rescues and Architecture of the Early Coast Guard is by far the most important book ever published in this field. It doesn't matter what question comes up; if it has to do with the old surfmen and keepers, the answer is inevitably in this book.

The book is divided into chapters representing each of the old Life-Saving Service districts, and details the story of each region of the country through an unrivaled postcard and photograph collection and highlighted tales of heroism and tragedy. Interspersed are tales of other important issues regarding the history of the service: the development of life-saving technology, the role of minorities in this 19th century organization, and much more.

A special added feature is the end chapter on architecture - Mr. York's contribution - that expands on his master's thesis on the structures of the USLSS.

The USLSS is a forgotten institution, nationally, although the tales of its heroes once gripped the hearts of Americans across the country. Pick up this book to learn the full story of the predecessor organization to today's Coast Guard, and to understand the ethos behind the motto, "You have to go out, you don't have to come back."

This great book won the first ever Foundation for Coast Guard History award in the category "Best Book on Coast Guard History"!

It is hard to put this exciting book down. The stories of rescues, stations, boats, equipment and the people themselves are amazing and the illustrations of rare, never before published photos truly lavish Every area of the country is covered. You feel you actually get to know these heroic early Coast Guard surfmen personally.

I did my thesis on the United States Life-Saving Service and this is an amazing go to resource.

I just received this book and, having read the first couple of chapters and perused the remainder, I am impressed by the thorough treatment of this history of the US Lifesaving Service. The book is well written, full of rare photos, and very well researched and referenced. A must-have for anyone interested in US maritime history.