Rescue Warriors

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 nation's 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 Alaska's 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 America's "forgotten heroes."

Each branch of the US armed forces has a unique job to do and important contributions to make. This title highlights the history and achievements of the US Coast Guard. Easy-to-read, engaging text explores the military branch's key missions and important roles in protecting the United States. Learn about cutting-edge technology and weapons, and discover what it is like to join the US Coast Guard and have a career in the branch. Well-placed sidebars, vivid photos, helpful maps, abundant charts, and a glossary enhance readers' understanding of the topic. Additional features include a table of contents, a selected bibliography, source notes, and an index, plus a timeline and essential facts. Aligned to Common Core standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

The history of the U.S. Coast Guard and its predecessor agencies dates from 1790, with missions in both domestic and international waters. The service has provided aids to navigation, enforcement of maritime laws, environmental protection, search and rescue, immigration and narcotics interdiction, maritime safety assistance, port security, natural disaster response and national defense missions, including overseas with other U.S. armed forces and federal and state public safety agencies. The Service has operated under the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Transportation and, since 2003, the Department of Homeland Security. Its maritime mission regions have included Arctic and Antarctic waters, inland and coastal U.S. waterways and the seas and oceans of the world. This history describes how the Coast Guard has manifested its legacy and motto, Semper Paratus (Always Ready), in changing conditions under each of its leaders.

Acclaimed as “the premier chronicler of America’s complex relationship with our oceans” (Honolulu Weekly), David Helvarg has also been a war correspondent, investigative journalist, documentary producer, and private investigator. The one constant in his adventurous life has been love for the sea. His personal story of love, loss, and redemption, Saved by the Sea is also a profound, startling, and sometimes funny reflection on the state of our seas and the intimate ways in which our lives are linked to the natural world around us. “Amazing and often heartrending adventures in and around the ocean...A great read from an outstanding writer.” — Philippe Cousteau, ocean explorer “Read Saved by the Sea for pleasure, read it for adventure, read it because it conveys the gift of being allowed to slip into David Helvarg’s world and view the ocean, and humankind, with profound new understanding. But beware: This book has the power to change the way you think about the world, about yourself, and about the future of humankind.” — Sylvia Earle, ocean explorer and author of The World Is Blue

The history of a near-century of combat search and rescue, with an account of how the discipline was created and how it is administered—or neglected—today.

Take your first steps into the wilderness with Rusty the house cat as he leaves his home to go and live in the wild. A thrillling new feline fantasy series that draws you into a vivid animal world.

Newleaf is coming, and Leafstar is proud to see SkyClan thriving under her leadership. The woods are brimming with prey, the warriors den is full, and Leafstar is expecting kits of her own. But a stranger is lurking near SkyClan’s territory, and Leafstar’s newborn kits—and the rest of the young Clan—could be in serious danger.

Corporal Ron's Borneo Warrior Rescue is an adventure story that should appeal to boys aged 10+, as well as eco-warriors. It is a unique, fast-paced story about a fascinating country and a long forgotten "secret" war. Featuring Ron, a Royal Air Force radio operator, working amongst the Dayaks of Borneo, the story follows the perilous mission that Ron and two young warriors undertake through the rainforest. Along the way they must each face challenges while learning about the others cultures and the ways of the jungle.This story is also a great introduction to one of our rare rainforests: Borneo and its people, flora and fauna. This well-researched war-time story has drama, wit and fun. Information panels, at the end of each section, highlight the plight of the endangered species such as orang utans.The story is a work of fiction, but was written as a tribute to the author's father. Readers of all ages will find this a vivid, informative and enjoyable book. Supporting Help for Heroes charity.