The United States Coast Guard: 1790 to the Present (Revised) [Paperback]

THOMAS P. OSTROM (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

The United States Coast Guard traces its origins to 1790, but was not officially named until 1915. At last there is one definitive volume describing its history from inception to the present. The author, Thomas P. Ostrom, served in the USCGR from 1961-69, and had basic and advanced training at the USCG Base, Alameda, California. He served subsequently in the Port Security Reserve Unit in Duluth, Minnesota, and participated in monthly and active duty assignments each summer, earning petty officer rank.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An exhaustive and fascinating history of an American institution." -- Night Owl Reviews --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Thomas P. Ostrom served in the USCGR from 1961-69, and had basic and advanced training at the USCG Base, Alameda, California. He served subsequently in the Port Security Reserve Unit in Duluth, Minnesota, and participated in monthly and active duty assignments each summer, earning petty officer rank. Mr. Ostrom taught history, anthropology and geography at Rochester Community College in Rochester, Minnesota for for thirty two years, has written a regular column for the Rochester ?Post Bulletin? and has been a political pundit on KROC-AM radio.

Ostrom was born in Superior, Wisconsin. He received his BA and MS degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Superior. He did graduate and post-graduate work at Ball State University, the University of North Dakota, Winona State University, and the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis.

He is a member of The Foundation for Coast Guard History, Navy League, the U.S. Naval Institute, and the National Maritime Historical Society. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 284 pages
• Publisher: Elderberry Press (OR); Revised edition (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932762655
• ISBN-13: 978-1932762655
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #911,324 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Terrific Scholarly Book, Informative and Exhaustive!, October 20, 2004

By 

Allen (Minnesota, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The United States Coast Guard: 1790 to the Present (Paperback)

Although I knew very little about the history of the United States Coast Guard, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Tom Ostrom's "USCG: 1790 To the Present." Its lucid style, exhaustive documentation, and clear organization, made the reading easy and enjoyable. It is one of the best history books that I have read in recent years. I strongly recommend the book to anyone who's interested in military history. ----Fan Shen, author of "Gang of One: Memoirs of a Red Guard."

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HISTORY AT ITS BEST, September 2, 2004

By 

Jack Of Alltrades "Just another soul" (Loth Ethtadoth Unidoth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The United States Coast Guard: 1790 to the Present (Paperback)

This book is THE reference for anyone needing facts on the USCG. A must for libraries.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Real Dissapointment, September 23, 2005

By 

Mike (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The United States Coast Guard: 1790 to the Present (Paperback)

Based on other reviews for this book, I was looking forward to reading a concise and informative survey of USCG history. While well researched, this book is fragmented, disjointed and barely readable. The style is reminicent of a bad high school paper, of which I've read many, and hardly reflective of Mr. Ostrom's experience as a well respected college level teacher. The book is best used as a reference rather than a readable narrative.