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 enlarge | Author: Martha J Laguardia-kotite
Creator: Tom Ridge
Publisher: The Lyons Press
Category: Book
Buy New: $88.06
New (6) Used (5) Collectible (2) from $48.00
Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 417801
Media: Hardcover
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 280
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9 x 6.1 x 0.9
ISBN: 1592289312
Dewey Decimal Number: 363.2860973
EAN: 9781592289318
ASIN: 1592289312
Publication Date: June 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Absolutely incredible reality-driven writing! July 23, 2006
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Her description of the harrowing rescues on rooftops in New Orleans took my breath away. I've been in SAR situations where a person had to be forced to leave a sinking boat, and on law-enforcement sorties where the bad guys had guns, but, in each of those occasions, you knew exactly what to expect - things were straightforward. The deteriorating conditions in New Orleans after Katrina, gave the crew, especially the swimmers, such extraordinary unknowns. The need to adapt to such changing and challenging situations so quickly - and the sheer number of them! - was obviously devastating to both body and psyche. And, the fact that among Coast Guard personnel there were no deaths, no collisions, no serious injury, is just astounding. I'm not sure that this country really appreciates the length to which our little service went in those days following the hurricane.
Her book made it all so clear. I felt like I was hovering alongside the aircraft, totally immersed in the emotion of the moment; `didn't matter if it was over the water, or next to a cliff or in a cave. Her words took you there.
The book, and the story it tells, is nothing short of exceptional. They say you write best when you "write about what you know." Well, with the help of those amazing rescue swimmers, she obviously knew what she was writing about and took it to a level of intensity found in very few books.
Stories of rescue and heroism July 19, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This book is the story of the Coast Guard rescue swimmers, and some of the absolutely incredible situations they faced and overcame in their determination to save lives. Chapter after chapter is one cliff-hanger after another, as these swimmers selflessly risked their own lives to save those of others they had never met.
Martha LaGuardia-Kotite has written a great book that I can highly recommend. I could hardly put it down.
Martha Laguardia did a great job July 11, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book does an excellent job of capturing the complete story of how USCG Helicopter Rescue Swimmers came into existence. Martha was meticulous in her research and deserves to be commended. A GREAT READ. BUY IT!!!
amazing untold stories of heroism July 8, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
I picked up So Others May Live while browsing for an interesting summer read, and found it to be that and much more. Reading it, you'd think the stories told inside were fiction, but they're not; every tale is true. Before I read this book, I didn't know much about the Coast Guard and next to nothing about their rescue swimmers, but LaGuardia-Kotite skillfully weaves together the true tale of how and why the rescue program came into existence and how it has come to be the ultra-challenging training program that qualifies only the cream of the crop. The rescue stories inside So Others May Live is told from perspectives of both the rescuers and the rescued, and they cover events from the aftermath of Katrina to a perilous rescue at Niagra Falls. LaGuardian-Kotite does a wonderful job of illuminating the wonderful deeds of these heroes, who, without a second thought, would dive into dangerous waters and risk their own lives so that others may keep theirs.
Coast Guard Aviation Association June 18, 2006
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
Reviewed by Captain George Krietemeyer, USCG (Ret.),
President, U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Association
Commander LaGuardia more than earns her stripes with an extremely well researched and documented book describing the inside story of how and why the U.S. Coast Guard jumped into the rescue swimmer business. I strongly suggest keeping a towel nearby to wipe off the salt water after each rescue is described.
Her research starts in the early 70's with SARWET teams - early pilot programs testing concepts of improved rescue capability using specially trained crewmembers in helicopter operations. She names all the people who put their ideas forward and tested the concepts. Most of them are members of the Coast Guard Aviation Association.
The author then describes the full story behind congressional `guidance' accelerating efforts to get a full fledged Coast Guard rescue swimmer program underway. I happened to be the Commandant's Chief of Training at Coast Guard Headquarters at the time and played a small part in focusing attention on this effort.
Once the reader is introduced to a full understanding of the background, Martha expertly guides the reader through the next 20 years with exciting and well written examples of some of the hairiest rescues our crews have accomplished. Once again, she names the people and describes their heroic efforts on a case-by-case basis. Many of you will know these people!
This is a book which will delight history buffs and adventure seekers. Her writing style is action oriented. A MUST READ for military types and others "with a liking for the sea and its lore."
Cover JPEG attached separately
For source purposes:
Review from PTEROGRAM, journal of the Ancient Order of the Pterodactyl (Coast Guard Aviation Association),
Editor Captain Ray Copin, USCG (Ret.), (rjcopin@aol.com).
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