Book Description
This book contains a complete copy of the Inland and International Navigation Rules as presented by the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard requires that an up-to-date copy such as this one be carried on all vessels 12 meters (39 feet) or more in length at all times. We frequently update this title for corrections presented in Notice to Mariners. We have also included detailed instructions on how to log on to the NIMA website to update your Nav Rules. We have added an annotated table of contents to help the reader find the rule they seek, no such feature is found in the government edition.
Customer Reviews:
Nav Rules of the Road.......2007-01-17
I was looking for the latest copy of the Rules of the Road and I found them; exactly what I wanted. This is a must-have for Navigators, Naval deck watchstanders and 3rd Mates.
Sailing with the best.......2006-11-04
Navigation Rules is a must have for any responsible boater. Until licences for boat "drivers' becomes a law, every one must take responsibility for following the rules. Navigation Rules makes this an easy task. It's clear and concise with excellent cross referencing. A must read!
Navigation Rules.......2005-08-14
Outstanding. A great help when you're returning to the boating world after many years. A good refresher. Would recommend anybody new or old to the world of boats to strongly consider this.
Essential for Every Boat Owner, but only a starting point.......2005-03-03
The official navigation rules are something that every boater should own. If your vessel is large enough or operating in international waters, you are legally required to have it aboard and understand its contents. Regardless of whether you have to have it aboard, if you go out on the water you have to understand what the rules are and what your obligations are to avoid collisions.
Think you don't need it? Collisions are the most serious boating accident, and virtually every collision is later determined to be avoidable by later investigation, had the operators been closely following the Nav Rules.
Here's the problem, though, if you rely on the Official Navigation Rules as your only reference: this edition of the rules is technical, and illustrated, but is often incomprehensible. The diagrams are schematic by necessity, but they are not useful if you're trying to decide what to do out in the real world. New boaters will be easily confused by the situations, since there's no perspective on what is a typical or atypical scenario. Experienced boaters will be perplexed by the eccentricities of the wording. It is not a tutorial on the rules, and as a reference is decipherable basically if you already know the rules.
So what are you to do, if you have to know the Navigation Rules? You have to own this book. And then you have to learn the rules. There are numerous other sources for the knowledge. You should have a basic seamanship reference, such as Chapman's or the Annapolis Seamanship book. You should probably also take a boating safety class at your local US Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadron, both of which cover the navigation rules. If you want to be sure about knowing the rules in detail, there are a number of self-study books (such as for Six-Pack exams) that do a much better job at going through a tutorial.
Buy this book; but to understand the basics, and to get to know the details that may save your life and your boat, make sure you extend that knowledge beyond the bare minimum.
Update: I would now recommend Charlie Wing's "One Minute Guide" to the rules of the road in addition to the official Nav Rules (ISBN 0070710945) for recreational boaters.
Book Description
Know you'll pass before you take the exam.
Here's the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to prepare for the U.S. Coast Guard captain's ratings exams required for anyone who takes paying passengers on a boat, and useful for serious boaters who want to save money on insurance. Included are the six-passenger "Six-Pack," Master and Mate Inland, Master and Mate Near Coastal, and Sail/Auxiliary Sail Endorsement. Every question and answer on the Coast Guard exams--all 6,215 of them--is provided. The interactive CD-ROM allows you to take an unlimited number of practice exams, randomly selects questions from the database, simulating a real exam, grades you, tells you which questions you got wrong, and keeps a log of your test results. This new edition brings the book up-to-date with the Coast Guard's expanded and revised database of questions and answers.
Customer Reviews:
Terrific Book.......2006-07-24
This text is great and the CD-ROM which lets u take and review practice tests may even better. I was surprised at the effectiveness of the text. All the material was presented in sufficient detail to answer your questions, but no not so detailed as to be burdensome as a college degree. The end result for me was a perfect score on all four sections of the test, but I took a LOT of practice tests. YOU NEED THIS BOOK & CD!
Get Your Captain's License, Third Edition.......2005-10-09
This new 3rd edition is better than the fist two. It is not a complete guide to all you need to learn to test for a USCG License, but it is a good base. There are still a few corrections needed in the rules that should have been updated for this 3rd edition and not all the study text agrees with the USCG questions. The CD tests is okay for review and gives a good feel of what needs to be studiedfor the USCG exams. Over all makes a great referance and should help anyone looking for a lower level license.
Get Your Captain's License Ed. 3.......2004-10-15
I received this volume in the mail about two weeks ago and have been hard at work using it to prepare for my exam. While not yet licensed, I have boated and sailed much of my life and am familiar with most of the material in it already.
The new edition is quite thorough. It not only presents all the questions, but has substantial guides preceding each section to help you understand the principles, which I find to be the most helpful feature of all. The volume's only weakness is it is written in a very dry, technical manner making it somewhat laborious to read. Also, if you are not already familiar with some of the concepts, you need to read more basic, outside resources to prepare you to study them in this book, otherwise it will leave you behind. However, if you are not familiar with the material in this text, you probably should not be applying for licensure yet either.
Finally, the new version of the software is very good. It still does not offer to test on the navigation problems. The author correctly states it cannot do this because one cannot plot with compass and parallel ruler from charts on a computer screen. However, I wish the software offered the tests anyway so that I could at least put my answers down and have it confirm them. It would just be more convenient for practicing.
Cliff
Don't be tempted by the included CD.......2003-04-07
The software not only is simplistic, but also is unstable.
A Good Start.......2003-01-08
No single text is going to allow you to ace the test, but this should be one of the ones you use. This is the second edition and supposedly updated as of 2000. While much of the information is available on the Coast Guard web site, Wing does a good job of "packaging it" to make it much more readable. I found the light and signal summaries worth the price of the book. Without these two summaries, memorization of the many, many lights and signals would be much harder. Another plus is a "plain english" version as well as the original rules - much more readable and easier to learn.
Customer Reviews:
Every Coastie should read this everyday!.......2007-09-04
Great book, read it everyday. Us Coasties sometimes forget the basics. Read it well and read it often.
Worth it's weight in gold!.......2007-01-12
I took this book and showed it to my recruiter and he said that it's weight in gold, and that after I was done reading it I woul be ahead of everybody else.
A well teaching book for the coast guard.......2004-08-25
It teaches about ROTC and the uniforms during your hopefull coast guard career. It also teaches all the necessary tools you need to be in the coast guard.
Great book for all.......2001-06-16
I am in the Coast Guard myself and when I was in boot camp they even handed out copies of this book to us to learn what we needed to know about the USCG. It covers everything from a brief history to customs and courtesies and to Maritime Law Enforcement. It talks about the different knots we use and how to properly tie the knot. There's history on the USCG's uniforms and the different ships we use to the different jobs that we offer. It's a great book for all and I even find myself at times referring to it whenever I need to know something! So I recommend it for anyone who is entering the Coast Guard, looking to up their seamanship skills or just want a refresher!
Still Excellant.......2000-08-22
I was issued one of these in boot camp back in 79. As a American Legion Commander now, I needed to know how to properly handle a weapon while marching and doing drills. Darn I wish I had of keep it. But I ordered the latest edition and see it is still the great manual it always was and still has the commands and the examples of how to do proper manual of arms.
Book Description
Learn the essentials of seamanship from one of the world’s premier boating organizations
Developed and refined through 35 years of Coast Guard Auxiliary training courses, Boating Skills and Seamanship is your perfect introduction to recreational boating's fundamentals. Great for beginning and intermediate powerboaters alike, it offers you the basics of choosing, equipping, and handling a small to midsize powerboat.
This new edition of the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s classic boating skills manual will answer all your questions on:
- Selecting the right boat—whether a 10-foot skiff or a 35-foot cruiser
- Essential equipment, both required and recommended
- Docking and anchoring
- Boat handling and seamanship on coastal and inland waters
- Trailering a boat
- Navigation and the rules of the nautical road
- Using and maintaining marine engines, drive trains, and electronics
- Knots, splices, and line handling
- Marine weather and marine communications
- And much more!
Approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), with chapter review questions and answers, Boating Skills and Seamanship is the ideal study and reference guide for anyone taking a state boating license exam or seeking better boating skills and knowledge.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-09-21
This book covers a lot of material which is essential for a new boat owner also a good review for old timer. Easy reading whit good photo illustraion. I found it very helpful for a power boat owner. You really need to need most everything that is covered in this book.
An Absolute Must For Any Boater.......2007-07-08
This review refers to "Boating/Skills and Seamanship"(U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary)......
If you have ever thought of or plan to buy a boat or step foot on a boat or any kind of watercraft this book is an absolute must. It would also be highly advisable to take the classes the Coast Guard auxiliary offers (usually for free) in conjunction with this manual.
Mostly geared toward new boaters, this book together with the classes will teach you everything you could possibly need to know to get started. It is even a good refresher for the experienced hand. Among the very important information gained are basic "rules of the road", who has the right of way on the water, what do all the markers, different colored lights, and signs mean and what are your responsibilities, and legal concerns.
If your thinking of buying a boat, there is a whole chapter on which may be best for you and another on how to safely trailer your boat and place it in the water. Many safety and emergency situation issues are discussed, you'll learn proper use of the radio and other equipment. Boating terminology, knot tying, piloting, charting a course(this was my favorite chapter) and maintenance are thoroughly gone over.
The coast guard classes will also guide you through each chapter and will present a test at the end of each. At the end of the course an official coast guard certificate in skills and seamanship is yours. These classes are great for the whole family or anyone just needing this knowledge. You can probably find the nearest classes to you in the phone book or through your local community center. There are also extended classes for those wanting to further their boating education(i.e. Learning to sail). The beginning classes are in a classroom and not on the water.If you have already signed up for these classes, it's possible this book may be purchased at your first meeting.
The book is easy to understand and spells out every detail clearly and has critical information that everyone who plans on being on the water should know. A Great keeper for fututre reference as well.
Have a fun and safe boating experience.....Laurie
Book Description
So Others May Live is the untold story of the U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer. In startlingly clear and exceptional writing, it tells twelve heroic stories of the greatest maritime rescues attempted since the program was started in 1985. These feats, told through the eyes of the hero, reveal an understanding of how and why the rescuer, with flight crew assistance, risks his or her own life to reach out to save a stranger. The book covers diverse environments: oceans, hurricanes, oil rigs, caves, sinking vessels, floods, and even Niagara Falls. It is truly a can't-put-it-down collection.
Customer Reviews:
Good story, author lacking.......2007-04-28
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.
My son's favorite book.......2007-03-11
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.
Muddy's Coffeehouse in Eliz. City.......2006-11-23
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?
A history of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer.......2006-08-17
SO OTHERS MAY LIVE: SAVINGS LIVES, DEFYING DEATH WITH THE COAST GUARD'S RESCUE SWIMMERS provides a history of the U.S. Coast Guard helicopter rescue swimmer, pairing this history with twelve stories which chronicle maritime rescues. Swimmers tell these stories of perilous rescue and while SO OTHERS MAY LIVE would also qualify to be featured in our 'True Adventure' section, it's featured here for additional value as a history of Coast Guard efforts overall.
Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch
Absolutely incredible reality-driven writing!.......2006-07-24
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.
Customer Reviews:
..ordering three more copies tonight..........2007-08-07
.... I used this test preparation manual to sit for my Master's ticket in St. Louis 12 years ago. Since that time I have purchased an additional 5 copies of this well written, humorous instructional manual. I am purchasing 3 more tonight... two to give as gifts to young, bright wanna-be captains. The third copy is to replace mine.
...even if you plan to go to Sea School... this book will be worth it's value.... study and learn this book and you will "ace" the charting element...
Proven Successful.......2007-04-14
Clear, Concise, effective information to help you pass the exam and get your ticket for far less than the voluminous Houston or MET manuals. I would and do recommend this book to any crew member looking to obtain a 100 ton license. I purchased this manual ten years ago after two captains I knew recommended it to me. I used this manual to obtain my license and have since passed the recommendation on to several others who have obtained their licenses using only this book.
Captain of Your Own Destiny.......2000-04-04
Budd Gondor has written an excellent guide to obtaining your Coast Guard license. From the mass of technical materials on navigation, boathandling, weather, et cetera - Budd has distilled a short book which captures the essence of the art of seamanship as needed to get the CG license and be called "Captain". His explanations and diagrams are clear and easy to understand. This book is more like sitting across the table from a "salty dog", where too many preparation books are more like having a oceanographic engineer lecture. No book will substitute for time on the water, but with some background, this book can help you get your license and learn from those 60 or 120 days of experience instead of having just one day of experience 60 times. It worked for me - 100 ton mate near coastal with towing endorsement first time!
Book Description
Written by an outstanding team of historians and officers, the definitive story of the U.S. Coast Guard is recorded for the first time in this magnificently illustrated, large-format book published with the Foundation for Coast Guard History. Stories of the "Coastie" experience as well as essays on history, lighthouses, search and rescue, aviation, the drug war, and the war on terrorism all share one common focus: the highly trained and motivated people who make it all work.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-04-04
This is the best book on the coast guard i have seen. would recomend this book to anyone in the coast guard or just wants info on the coast guard history, and what they do.
Great History .......2007-01-09
Great book to have on your coffee table for friends to see your history with and the history of the Coast Guard.
The Best and most Definitive book on Coast Guard History Ever written! .......2006-11-11
This is one of those really fun books to read and to look at. I got the book and spent an afternoon looking it over and explaining all the photos and pictures to my six-year old grandson. He totally enjoyed it along with me. The book has a simple and humble enough title "The Coast Guard". What a delightful surprise awaits inside it. First off, the book cover looks like a book you would want to have on your coffee table in your professional office lobby where others could see your good taste and entertain themselves while waiting for you. Tom Beard has put together the ultimate book on what the Coast Guard is all about.
The author, along with a large staff of others, have put together some of the all time most interesting photos and stories about this branch of service. I even noticed that my part of northern California was covered with some USCG history dealing with the great Yuba City floods of 1955. The book is an absolute "must have book" for anyone who has ever had any member of his or her family in the USCG. I was in the Army and yet, I spent a full afternoon just looking through the book and the next day reading the stories. It will entertain you even if you are not someone who reads military books.
The book relates the history of the lighthouses, the rescue boats, the ice cutters, the service in different wars, the battle against drug dealers and all kinds of air and sea rescues. It is a full history from the beginnings of the service to the present day under the Office of The Homeland Security.
This book is the best book ever written about the USCG. Everything you could ever care to know is in there. It is a collector's book for sure. The Military Writer's Society of America gives this book it highest rating of FIVE STARS!
Larry Stefanovich, Pres. Coast Guard Sea Veterans of America.......2005-08-02
This muti authored book covers the Coast Guard from 1790 to present from A to Z. I'm proud to say I was a member by choice for four years active and twelve years inactive. To the authors "Well Done"!!!
Lar
Its about time!.......2005-07-23
The other services came out with a similar book years ago. Every time I walk into a book store I immediately go to the military section with the hope of finding this book waiting for me on the shelf. I always left feeling disappointed. This book retails for about 75 bucks. Some may say that is too high a price for a book, I say it is worth every penny. Semper Paratus.
Book Description
How does the U.S. Coast Guard create, instill, and maintain leadership throughout a 40,000 member force spread across the United States? A former Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and a best-selling author combine their knowledge of the subject to offer a formula for success. Donald T. Phillips, who has written eight books on leadership, asserts that the Coast Guard is a superlative example of an organization with effective leadership, loaded with leaders at all levels. From a guardsman scraping barnacles off buoys in the Gulf of Mexico to the captain of a cutter in the Gulf of Alaska to the Commandant in Washington, they know exactly what leadership is, how it works, and why it is important. This case study in leadership uses the Coast Guard as an example for other organizations who want to imbue leadership to every single one of its members. An effective leadership beacon, the book is replete with tangible examples, vivid anecdotes, and explicit guidelines on how to instill leadership throughout an entire organization. Stories abound on Coast Guard efficiency, innovation, and heroism and many are used to illustrate the service's effectiveness and to engage the reader. From the military and government communities to the business world, a variety of organizations can benefit from this outstanding leadership guide. 5 x 8 inches.
Customer Reviews:
Recruiting Propoganda.......2006-03-09
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.
Right book at the right time.......2005-07-20
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
Worth reading and a couple bucks.......2005-02-12
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.
Well-oiled machine, but what about conflict management?.......2005-01-31
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.
Ethically Challenged Management.......2004-04-03
The Coast Guard has studied and attempted to teach leadership since the inception of the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790. What is missing in this treatise is the view from those being led. At the deck plate, this theory and feel-good tome does not resonate. Those working in Coast Guard blue respond to leaders of good moral character, who lead and care, and who show fairness and compassion. The past relationship between the Coast Guard and Admiral Loy's progeny lends serious questions about morality and nepotism. That the Admiral's progeny continues to receive preferential employment now from the TSA, leads any thinking person to question the credibility of the author. The Admiral's words ring hollow. Should we "judge one by his actions, not his words" or should we, "do as I say, not as I do?"
Save your time, there is not much here.
Average customer rating:
|
QMED workbook
Stephen Frangos
Manufacturer: Daredevil Enterprises
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Perfect Paperback
ASIN: B0006RVQ4Q |
Customer Reviews:
Coast Guard in Vietnam not just cuttermen........2005-06-16
Great book. As a Coast Guardsman, I appreciate learning about those who served for me. This book tells the tale of those who served aboard the cutters, (the Point Welcome and other 82's are the most familiar to Coasties) and the Aids to Navigations Teams, the Port Security units, Marine Inspectors and the Loran Station Personnel. The last four had stories that I never known. I would have appreciated more from the Enlisted personnel but I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Coast Guard.
Accurate to detail considering the scope of subject matter.......1999-10-20
The majority of the information was culled from Coast Guard records, interviews and recollections from officer grades. There was very little input from the enlisted ranks. As an former enlisted man and veteran of the Tan My loran station, I enjoyed the book but it was a bit general in the coverage.
A must read for the military enthusiast or Coast Guard fans.......1999-09-13
The awesome Coast Guard fired 77,000 rounds of naval gunfire support to help Army and Marine troops. The small patrol boats sent up the dangerous rivers in the south were sitting ducks. You'll find out why all were not destroyed by enemy fire. The ammunition depots in the harbors were disasters waiting to happen until the Coast Guard got there and put things in order. It is incredible to learn the other military services top battle commanders were so ignorant about Coast Guard assets and expertise. But, once they learned, they couldn't get enough of the Coast Guard. Book could use some more detailed maps and a pronunciation guide to Viet words. Also suggest reading Mayday! Mayday! Most exiciting stories of US Coast Guard. A great read.
Cutters and Sampans.......1997-06-28
Very few Americans realize the U.S. Coast Guard is a military organization and has fought in all the wars of the United States. Capt. Alex Larzelere, U.S. Coast Guard (Ret.) has written one of the very few excellent accounts of the service in
combat. Captain Larzelere, as a young officer, commanded patrol boats in Vietnam so is able to bring his perspective to this book on the Vietnam conflict.
Larzelere has done a great service to those who wish to study how this nation's
smallest armed force performed during the long and divisive war. The small amount of publicity the U.S. Coast Guard received from their efforts in Southeast Asia came from the patrol boats and high endurance cutters. In this account, however, the author covers all the activities, from explosive loading details, shipping advisors and aids to navigation duties. Furthermore, what makes the account even more valuable is Larzelere's interviews with many of the U.S. Coast Guardsmen who served in Vietnam, although this tends to be mostly from officers, there are very few enlisted men interviewed.
On the debit side, this is an uncritical history. Readers will believe no one made
any mistakes while serving in Vietnam, nor is there any discussion about how the war affected
the service as a whole, or even what lessons were learned during the war. These demurs are the reason for the rating I have assigned to this book.
These caveats aside, Captain Larzelere's account is very readable and should be read
by anyone interested in the history of the U.S. Coast Guard or the Vietnam War. It will be a
standard book on the history of the service.
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- Welcome to Your Face Lift: What to Expect Before, During & After Cosmetic Surgery
- Biology: Concepts & Connections with Student CD-ROM
- Between God and Gangsta Rap: Bearing Witness to Black Culture
- The Criticism of Photography As Art: The Photographs of Jerry Uelsmann
- The Mating Game: A Primer on Love, Sex, and Marriage
- George Lansbury: At the Heart of Old Labour
General
| Transportation
| Nonfiction
| Subjects
| Books
How to Read a Nautical Chart : A Complete Guide to the Symbols, Abbreviations, and Data Displayed on Nautical Charts
Get Your Captain's License, Third Edition
The Practical Mariner's Book of Knowledge: 420 Sea-Tested Rules of Thumb for Almost Every Boating Situation
Chapman Piloting & Seamanship 65th Edition (Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling)
Basic Coastal Navigation: An Introduction to Piloting
