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

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

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

Product Description

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.”

 

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books; 1 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 (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,273 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #73 in	Books > History > Military > United States

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 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

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.

7 of 7 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)

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)

7 of 7 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

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.