Synopses & Reviews
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 nations 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 Alaskas 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 Americas “forgotten heroes.”
Review
Advance Praise for Rescue Warriors:
“David Helvargs 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 Americas ‘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 ‘Im from the government and Im here to help is the ultimate oxymoron. But as this vivid book makes powerfully clear, in the case of the Coast Guard its the simple truth. Stow this volume next to the chart case.”
--Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy
Praise for David Helvargs 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. Its a fast, watery ride, and youre going to get wet before its 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 wont be able to put it down.”
--Paul R. Ehrlich, author of Science of Ecology and The End of Affluence
Review
“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 F. Kennedy Jr.
“This is the first book to give a comprehensive look at Americas premier lifesavers and forgotten Armed Service.” - Anchorage Daily News
“Readers will agree with the author that the Coast Guard is the only American military service that needs more money and publicity.” - Kirkus Reviews
“They say that ‘Im from the government and Im here to help is the ultimate oxymoron. But as this vivid book makes powerfully clear, in the case of the Coast Guard its the simple truth. Stow this volume next to the chart case.” - Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy
Synopsis
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 nations 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 Alaskas 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 Americas “forgotten heroes.”
Synopsis
In this masterpiece of adventure reporting, an award-winning journalist brings readers into the daily lives of Coasties, filled with excitement, adrenaline, and dozens of death-defying rescues at sea and on land.
Synopsis
The Extraordinary Story Of The U.S. Coast Guard
Since its inception more than 200 years ago, the United States Coast Guard has rescued over 1.1 million people. Yet, despite having more than fifty thousand active and reserve members, most of us know very little about this often neglected but crucial branch of the U.S. military.
Filled with altruism and adrenaline, Rescue Warriors brings us into the daily lives of “Coasties” as well as dozens of death-defying rescues at sea and on hurricane-ravaged shores. A masterpiece of adventure reporting, Rescue Warriors is the definitive book on Americas Coast Guard.
About the Author
DAVID HELVARG is founder and president of the Blue Frontier Campaign, a Washington, D.C.--based organization working for ocean and coastal conservation. An award-winning journalist, he has written for The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian, Popular Science, Sierra, and The Nation, and has produced more than forty documentaries for PBS, the Discovery Channel, and others. He is also a licensed private investigator, body surfer, and scuba diver. His previous books include The War Against the Greens, Blue Frontier, and 50 Ways to Save the Ocean. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.