5 comments about So Others May Live: Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death.

1. Incredible! I am a frequent patron of Muddy Water's Coffeehouse in E. City, N.C. and I have no connection to the Coast Guard. I frequently run into these guys, mostly the kids in the swimmer training program, on Saturdays when they come in to get coffee and study their training material, or e-mail their wives and girlfriends. They are perennially polite and completely pumped up about the program. I have always had lots of interest in learning about what they do. Then came The Guardian. After seeing that, I had more respect for these swimmers than I have for any of the other "Special Forces." (I realize they are not classified as such, but perhaps they should be.) I bought the book to learn more and learn I did. It is unfathomable to me that these young men and women will take the risks they do to save others' lives, particularly when, in many of these cases, people made stupid mistakes to be out on the seas in the first place. I read the book thinking, Yeah, So Others May Live to make some more stupid mistakes another day.
   
   As a writer myself, I thought the book was incredibly well-done. The characterization of these guys as capable, yet humble, rang so true. The story-driven chapters were gripping. I read far too late into the night too many nights in a row. Martha, you owe me some sleep. And, Swimmers, the rest of us owe you and your "teammates" nothing but the utmost respect.
   
   A P.S. to Ms. LaGuardia-Kotite: Your epilogue on "rescuing the rescuers"
   answered the burning question I had - what do these guys do with the horrors they have seen and they stress they have borne?



2. I've read the entire book a few times to my son. He loves it. The writing style is arguably not the greatest, but the stories are wonderful and the author's pride, admiration, and sincerity shines through.
   
   I think this could be turned into a wonderful book for boys ages 8-12. I do want to point out the risk of encouraging a career as a rescue swimmer. As a father I'd prefer something a bit less heroic.



3. While I found the stories interesting, the author's style was lacking. The first two chapters dealt with why the Coast Guard has a rescue swimmer program and what led up to it. However, it gets a bit tedious at times. The author lists every person who ever had anything to do with the ups and downs of the program. Needless to say, the two chapters could have been combined into one smaller chapter. The minutia gets a bit heavy.
   
   As for the stories, once again minutia gets in the way of the heart of the story. I don't think it's necessary to list the aircraft numbers in each story. Unless you are CG and have flown in or worked around these aircraft, it is not necessary for the story. I wold have preferred also that the author list crew positions more than once in each chapter. The constant referring to the crews by name without occasionally referring to them with crew position and name requires you at times to reread the beginning to keep up with who's who.
   
   I applaud the heroism and dedication of the crews involved, however it seems their story gets lost in the author's quest to write a long book by filling it with unnecessary words. At times it was like the student who was told to write a 1,000 word essay and ends up with a 500 word essay and 500 words of filler.



4. The weather Channel just did a story on this author and book featuring Hurricane Katrina rescues. Commander LaGuardia-Kotite, USCGR has written a great book about men and women who go out and rescue lives when everyone else is told to stay home and in a safe harbor. Her interviews with the original starting members gave a look into the uncertainty of the program. As 13 year member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, I have watched and help SAR teams with their training. I am very proud of the Coast Guard and the fine people who serve and save lives. I highly recommend this book to all the boating public and pray they never have to call a MAYDAY.



5. As a former USN SAR Swimmer that was on active duty when the Marine Electric went down I look forward to reading this book...with trepidation. Any other NAVY SAR swimmers care to share their reviews before I spend the cash on this one?
   MTMARINER

5 comments about Not Your Father's Coast Guard: The Untold Story of U.S. Coast Guard Special Forces.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I think it will open the eyes to the many that read it. It may even help those still involved with various operations to reach out and see who has gone before them, and ask more about what lessons were learned. There are still many members on active duty that participated in the events outlined in this book. I waited a long time for this book to come into print, as soon as I got my copy I read through a couple of times -- first time was cover to cover non-stop. I found it was easy to follow, and fun to read. I would recommend this book, to anyone -- especially to those that have heard of these DIAT, & IMLET teams and not sure what they were. I have bought a few additional copies to send out to other shipmates.



2. I really enjoyed this book.
   
   As a USCGAux member, retired rescue worker, son of a US soldier and father of a son and nephew in the US Army I appreciated the story and the way the author used footnotes that attributed much of the information back to interviews with the people that the book is about. I think it reminded me of a veteran's history style project back by tons of paperwork and reports that completes the story. As a history buff I always like to read or watch something with a different slant on what I think I know about a topic. I think this book would also make a great TV show along the lines of something you would see on history channel or military channel.
   
   I had no idea the USCG participated in missions like this and enjoyed reading how the mission evolved from nothing to what it was. I was also impressed with the way the Coast Guard men were able to overcome the lack of funding and corruption in the countries they were working in. During my years as a rescue worker I know what it is like to be given a mandate without the means to complete it. In my situation the enemy was flood waters and marine based fires. Nobody was shooting at me or crew but we had training in order to complete and adjust to a mission on our small scale.
   
   I think that is why I appreciate the effort the Coasties in this book put forth. When a group of people can pull together and complete something like this it is often because of training. The Coast Guard men were able to use their versatile skill set of military, law enforcement and rescue worker to move their missions along.
   
   I think this book opens the door for more titles from the author about lost Coast Guard topics. Or any Coast guard theme for that matter. I know I will look forward to reading them. The only thing that could have made the book better for me would have been the use of more pictures. But I am a visual person and that is one reason I think this would make a great TV documentary. For lack of a better phrase, O would give Not Your Father's Coast Guard TWO thumbs up!



3. Matt Mitchell's book is an excellent contribution to the literature on Coast Guard Special Operations, and, as others have said, a critical "rescue" of a story we almost lost forever. This work is painstakingly researched, well written, and engaging. I first thumbed through it to find the stories and people I knew, and the book delivered. These are the guys who were there--not all of them, but enough to tell the story.
   
   Matt Mitchell also clearly illustrates the cultural dissonance--what recent leaders have called "healthy tension"--that periodically flings the Coast Guard from one direction to the other. The contrast between the current Commandant and the most recent nomination for Commandant could be another chapter. Unless DHS proves up to the task, maybe it's time to think about how a Secretary of the Coast Guard and associated civilian staff might introduce a more stable, long-term vision, the way they do with the other Armed Forces.



4. As a retired MKC who served during the time these events took place, it is good to see it in print so that others may see we are not all "Shallow Water Sailors". Despite the few errors that needed a little more research and clarification, I will and have recommended it. Anyone who managed to get everything perfect the first time needs to stay in their own world. More research on the small things would not have changed the truth that is told in this book.



5. Something like this book was long overdue. i write this as I noticed some reviewers might not have really read the book. It is a compilation of anecdotes, sories coupled w/ real facts and documents. Now, you have to understand the type of iundividual it takes to volunteer for this type of missions, they are not your average day to day missions that the CG is widely known for as 'life savers". And even for CoastGuardsmen that made their entire lives a career in the CG it might be hard to come into terms that all of this happened while they were on active duty and they never even had a clue, (appearently it is for some). Another point is that there is even within the small CG an unspoken difference and bit of division between "M" field and "Legacy OPS" folks,,,yes there are critiquees done in published literature by both sides,,depending on what side the writer is on(this book is no exeption,, by the way I'm and Operator)and even in between legacy OPS there is a distinct Aviation-Surface cultures. I want to reemphasize this comment " This is an excellent contribution to the literature on Coast Guard Special Operations, and, as others have said, a critical "rescue" of a story we almost lost forever. This work is painstakingly researched, well written, and engaging. I first thumbed through it to find the stories and people I knew, and the book delivered. These are the guys who were there--not all of them, but enough to tell the story.
   Matt Mitchell also clearly illustrates the cultural dissonance--what recent leaders have called "healthy tension"--that periodically flings the Coast Guard from one direction to the other. The contrast between the current Commandant and the most recent nomination for Commandant could be another chapter. Unless DHS proves up to the task, maybe it's time to think about how a Secretary of the Coast Guard and associated civilian staff might introduce a more stable, long-term vision, the way they do with the other Armed Forces."
   Please read the book for what it is and that it was gesture of love and sacrifice from Matt on his own time and dime,,, as he currently shows up to work to do his CG duties still, to all of my retired friends and mentors (some which are mentioned here...Stay Semper Par

5 comments about Character in Action: The U.S. Coast Guard on Leadership.

1. As I read through this book, I did not encounter any case studies of conflict management between U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnal that required resolution, though there were the occasional references to "Coasties" who felt that they were really doing unimportant jobs (like looking after a power generator) - until a more senior man comes in and convinces them otherwise.
   
   The USCG prides itself in recruiting talent who can do more than one job and can take command in field situations on their own initiative without waiting for orders from on-high; basically, it has an "act-first-tell-me-later" approach, which appears to have served this two-centuries-old organisation well, including during the terrible events of 9/11.
   
   Yet, though Phillips and Loy, the co-authors, give the impression that the USCG runs like a well-oiled machine, they appear to have avoided any discussion of when it does not. Conflict resolution is part of any big organisation, yet no information appears in this book about it. Since the Coast Guard is a culturally homogeneous entity, there is nothing about any clashes of mentality or management styles or thinking.
   
   Like the other four main branches of the U.S. armed forces, the USCG is a full-time organisation, and all five do have their Reserve units manned by part-timers who have civilian jobs. It is common practice for selected military personnel to be sent on exchanges, not just within their own country, but also to other countries. U.S. Coast Guardsmen must surely be sent on exchanges, too, yet Phillips and Loy mention nothing about this.
   
   I would have liked to have read something about the experience of U.S. Coast Guardsmen temporarily serving in the coast guard of a foreign power, because it could say something useful about the differences in mentalities and in approaches to similar situations, and about any resolutions to disagreements or conflicts. Would the visiting USCG personnel have ideas and suggestions listened to and discussed and implemented - or would they simply be ignored?
   
   Armed forces are not the same as civilian corporations, of course, since they are concerned with national defense and power projection rather than profit-making, yet interaction between, say, western and non-western organisations sometimes results in clashes, and I think it would have served the book better, seeing that Phillips has written books on management, had there been examples of conflict and resolution.



2. I thought that this book was definitely worth reading. It was a very easy read, and offered some useful insight. It did a great job characterizing the organizational culture of the USCG.
   
   After reading some of the other reviews, I feel it is necessary to say that this book was written by an person who oversaw an organization on a macro level. It is a book about executive level leadership, not functional level leadership.
   
   In total, it consisted of nothing more than a typical book about leadership - touchy feely advice...shoulds and should nots...yada yada yada. There were some unique ideas presented in this book compared to other leadership books. Again, it was a really easy read...definitely worth a couple bucks and the few hours it takes to read it.



3. I was provided a copy of the book when I became a contractor for the USCG. Having a military background already, I was interested in the military history of the USCG. This book has provided me with a glimpse into the mission of the USCG and its leadership style. There are many heart-warming stories of real life heroes that inspire one to the esprit-de-corp that the military resonates.
   
   If your looking for a turnkey book on leadership this is not it, but if you are looking for ways to inspire people, and to refine your own personal style than this book is definitely what you are looking for. It is food for thought.
   
   Hope you have found this review helpful.
   
   Tom



4. This book is great Coast Guard Academy recruiting propoganda, nothing more. Not real accurate. If you seek an accurate view of Coast Guard leadership effectiveness, start by asking the people who actually make the agency run - it's Active Duty Enlisted forces. (Concur with "Ethically Challenged Management") To find out about how effective a service's leadership is, start at the deck plates. I found the innacuracies of this book extremely annoying. "Be, Know, Do," or The Army Leadership Field Manual would better serve your money & time.



5. A must read for anyone that wants to know more about this great service.
   Great insight into the workings of the US Coast Guard. Makes you appreciate what they do as the smallest of the military organizations. If you are considering entering the US Coast Guard, you have to read this!

No comments about McGraw-Hill's ASVAB Basic Training for the AFQT, Second Edition (McGraw-Hill's ASVAB Basic Training for the Afqt (Armed Forces).

2 comments about Get Your Captain's License, Fourth Edition.

1. this book is very good. however the CD is for windows only. I have a mac,and the CD will not work in my PC. It would take less time with the CD instead of going back an forth with the book.



2. You can't go wrong with a Charlie Wing book.This book has all the information that you need to help you get your USCG Captains License. Even if you are in a course if can help you review for the test.

5 comments about Rescue Warriors: The U.S. Coast Guard, America's Forgotten Heroes.

1. Since it's winter in NJ I'm very often more land bound than I'd like to be, but I'm getting my ocean "fix" from reading David Helvarg's, "Rescue Warriors." I don't have many regrets in life, and perhaps it's a good thing that I am where I am, but one thing I wish I had done is enlist in the Coast Guard back when I was contemplating military service. If I had known then what I'm reading now, it would have been a no-brainer. How do you go wrong with helping people on the ocean and playing in the rough stuff? Helvarg's book does a fantastic job describing the grit and guts required to be a Coastie. This book is like candy if you like ocean adventures, or any adventure, for that matter!



2. While this book offers some interesting information. I had trouble getting through the liberal tree-hugger crap that the author felt compelled to include. Too bad because the historical aspects of the book were really quite good. Glad I bought it from Amazon and didn't pay the full price for it. No it will not be retained in my library or passed on to anyone but the garbage man.



3. This is a stunning true-life story of the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard. As I watch them rescuing people in Haiti, I feel I understand the bravery and skill required by these heroes having read David Helvarg's book, Rescue Warriors. Masterfully written and reported as only a veteran journalist could accomplish, Helvarg is able to take the reader along on some of the most harrowing efforts of these brave men and women in the service of our country. Learning how they saved over 33,000 people during Hurricane Katrina, I wish them good fortune in their latest efforts in Haiti and hope everyone reads this book to get a better understanding of these "forgotten heroes." Kudos to Mr. Helvarg for a job superbly done.



4. Having lived within fifty miles of the Pacific Ocean my entire life, I've always held the US Coast Guard in high regard so when I heard David Helvarg interviewed on a local radio program, I went right to Amazon and purchased "Rescue Warriors."
   
   The book draws the reader in immediately with tales of the USCG's rescue operation along the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina; these men and women were the true (and, if not unsung, at least under-sung) heros of of that disaster. Unfortunately, the following chapters don't keep up that pace, although to be fair, it was probably impossible to do so. The reader's interest begins to wane as Helvarg launches into an overly-detailed examination of the induction and training process of new recruits, embarks on a less than gripping history of the service then finally runs aground on the rocks of a dull and unnecessarily lengthy examination of a military procurement debacle concerning the refitting of some high-endurance cutters.This is not to say that there isn't a certain amount of fair sailing between the rocks, only that there were perhaps more rocks than there needed to be.
   
   Overall, I found the book to be a bit disappointing. Still, if you're interested in the Coast Guard at all, it isn't a bad read. Just remember that you can always skip to the next chapter when things bog down.



5. Having served in the US Navy, I found this book most interesting. Helvarg gives a good history of the Coast Guard and explains the ever changing mission with the new demands of Home Land Security. He also explains the management / leadership style that gets the Coast Guard's wide range of jobs done to keep us safe.

5 comments about The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue.

1. This is a blockbuster. It is a true story of heroic Coast Guardsmen just doing their job. Highly recommended reading. Making a movie of this would top the 'Perfect Storm'.



2. since i live close to where this rescue boat is kept and had seen it many times; i happened to see the review of this book and it perked my intrest. i come from a "coastie" family and am a grownman but found myself with tears in my eyes a number of times while reading this great book. what selfless dedication;what heroism;what a great tribute to those brave men who set out that day in unbelieveabe conditions.we all owe these "coasties" a great heartfelt "a job well done".



3. The Finest Hours tells the story of a coast guard rescue of two oil tankers that each split in half off the coast of Chatham during a storm in 1952. I couldn't put the book down once I started it. The authors tell the story of the young men who risked their lives that day starting from their enlistment in the Coast Guard to their lives after. They managed to track down and get the cooperation of most of the main participants and are able to include many first hand accounts. I highly recommend it.



4. I was on the Amazon site ordering a book when "The Finest Hours" popped up as a recommended purchase...how ironic..I am the daughter of one of the 4 Coast Guardsmen of the Gold Medal Crew that amazingly rescued 32 men. Of course I already have a couple copies of the book..signed by the authors.(thank you, once again) They have both done such a wonderful job of telling the "story" and relating it to the lives of those involved. It makes me so proud to see the reviews of the book and know my dad was actually a part of that! I also know it would have made my dad proud -- not in regard to himself but for the Coast Guard. Michael and Casey, thanx again for keeping the "story" alive.



5. Mr. Sherman came and spoke to our group. He did an excellent job on the book. He brought the heros to life in saving others.

2 comments about McGraw-Hill's ASVAB, Second Edition (Mcgraw Hill's Asvab).

1. I am very pleased w/ this guide. It is very thorough and well written. I would recommend it to anyone in the market for an ASVAB study guide. I haven't tested yet since reading this book, so I can't tell you how well it worked. I did, however, take the test right out of high school and I expect to do better after using this guide.



2. i ordered this book for my grandson who is going into the military. he says it has been very helpful

5 comments about Navigation Rules.

1. The publication is REQUIRED to be onboard vessels over 39 feet. Not much choice in the matter.



2. If you are a seaman you have to possess it, read it, and understand it. Period. The price on Amazon was much cheaper than my local stores.



3. This book satisfies the requirement for Coast Guard Auxiliarists to have a current copy of the Nav rules on their boat. I especially liked the way the changes in the update were identified for easy reference.



4. My son needed this book for his college class. It came quickly and is just what he needed!



5. Increase you on the water knowledge by learning the "Rules of the Road". It's amazing to see how many "boaters" have no clue how to operate a vessel according to the rules.

5 comments about ASVAB For Dummies.

1. I just took the ASVAB last week. I scored an AFQT percentile score of 90. I'm currently going Air Force and the scores were:
   
   M 73 did not study for it at all, hardly gave any effort and still scored 73
   
   A 91 my recruiter said that this part is always easy
   
   G 88 The book helps a great deal
   
   E 81 The book helps a great deal too except the electronics sub test
   
   So here are my recommendations concerning those going Air Force. Study this book if you need high scores in the AFQT, general, and electronics. I would supplement this book with the online tests on [...] and a specific book concerning electronics. Hardly any of the electronics material from the book was on the test, so you may have to buy a Electronics for Dummies. Take all 3 of the full tests on [...]. That's it! You will need nothing else except 7-8 hours sleep, a hardy breakfast, some coffee, and self confidence. Remember, you are being scored on how well you do against your competition. Most of the tests were only 16 questions and you will have ample time to answer. Just stay calm and be confident. Make sure to have a small snack, like an oatmeal bar, and use the restroom before going to take the test. It is a freakin' cake walk!
   
   Oh, and one more thing some of the military people there are rude. You think they would have some decent manners.



2. This ASVAB Book is very detailed and really goes into everything you would like to know for the test.



3. I borrowed a copy of the ASVAB for Dummies from my local library. While I used other study guides after this, I enjoyed this guide the most. I completely forgot all of my highschool mathematics and needed the review. The for Dummies series makes light of dense and boring subject matter and actually encouraged me to enjoy studying! *gasp* For an overall review this is a great book and it makes studying several entirely different subject matters fun and easy. If you need a serious mathmatics review like I did I recommend this book and picking up another ASVAB study guide to make sure you cover all theories and practices. I received an 80 on the ASVAB and am very happy with my score.



4. My husband said this book was excellent, its really helping him study for the ASVAB, he hasnt taken it yet so we dont know what his score will be but he studies everyday using this book.



5. THIS BOOK IS AWFUL. The cutesy little jokes and wisecracks can't hide the fact that there are a HUGE NUMBER OF ERRORS in the tests and in the review sections. It's obvious on many test sections that the answer is for a different question...how can you trust ANY information in this book? Very sloppy! PLUS, the questions are WAY TOO EASY--like training with matchsticks when you're going to have to move tree trunks! DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!