So Others May Live: Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death
The Lyons Press - The Lyons Press
Release date: 2006-06-01
Hardcover
Author: Martha J LaGuardia-Kotite
Disasters & Disaster Relief, Military - Naval, Military - United States, Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement, Sports & Recreation / General, Emergency Medicine, Coast Guard, Medical, Sociology, History, Search and rescue operations, United States.
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So Others May Live: Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death
Date undefinedThe 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.
So Others May Live: Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death
Date undefinedWhile 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.
So Others May Live: Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death
Date undefinedI'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.
