Rating: 
Summary: Quick interesting read, bio of pararescue jumper
Review: Apparently this book is a retitled version of _That Others May Live: The True Story of the PJs, Real Life Heroes of the Perfect Storm_. If so, the current title is more accurate: the book focuses on "a PJ," coincidentally the author, not PJ's in general. And it's NOT about the Perfect Storm, except in passing, though particularly relevant to the author. As to the PJ's (Air Force Pararescue Jumpers) being "real life heroes of the perfect storm," there's no indication they rescued anyone during that storm. In fact, the Coast Guard ship had to come out and rescue THEM. Yes, you can be a hero for an attempt, but let's not go overboard in naming our book after one rescue attempt in a much bigger event.
The book is interesting. Jack, of course, makes almost no mistakes, and his wife is a perfect angel. She understands when he says, "yes, I went to the strip bar, but that's where the debriefing session was held."
The unexamined assumption that OF COURSE men who work hard have to relax by drinking all night, having bar fights, and visiting strip joints is overdone.
The book does provide information about a little-understood group of airmen who put their lives on the line to rescue others in what can be very difficult situations, much like the Coast Guard rescue jumpers. Their main purpose is to rescue downed pilots and personnel in need of medical help, on land or sea, but they're also available to help civilians when civilian rescue agencies don't have the resources available.
There is some understanding of the mentality of repeatedly putting your life on the line -- you might as well die doing something you love, while helping others.
The book could have argued for better equipment -- although the author repeatedly recounts stories of how difficult it is for helicopters to refuel from tankers during rough weather, the author doesn't argue for a better, heavier, longer, wider (or whatever) fueling drogue design.
The Perfect Storm part takes 30 pages, IF you include the soap opera parts about the wives calling each other for news. A pararescue helicopter and tanker was dispatched during the Perfect Storm to rescue a sailor doing a solo trip around the world. The rescue was aborted due to heavy seas, and the rescue helicopter itself ditched on the way back to base, with the loss of one airman. The helicopter ditched because it was unable to refuel with the existing drogue design. The author, in charge at the base, grounded rescue attempts of this airman due to his orders and impossible conditions. Yet his men took their anger out of him, sometimes in petty ways. They stole his jacket, and snuck a bottle of booze into his luggage as he was about to fly into a Muslim country, which if discovered would have gotten Jack in enormous trouble. There's so much talk of the "teamwork" ethos in the book -- where did it go when his men were angry at Jack, and caused him to have to leave command of the unit?
Rating:
Summary: Quick interesting read, bio of pararescue jumper
Review: Apparently this book is a retitled version of _That Others May Live: The True Story of the PJs, Real Life Heroes of the Perfect Storm_. If so, the current title is more accurate: the book focuses on "a PJ," coincidentally the author, not PJ's in general. And it's NOT about the Perfect Storm, except in passing, though particularly relevant to the author. As to the PJ's (Air Force Pararescue Jumpers) being "real life heroes of the perfect storm," there's no indication they rescued anyone during that storm. In fact, the Coast Guard ship had to come out and rescue THEM. Yes, you can be a hero for an attempt, but let's not go overboard in naming our book after one rescue attempt in a much bigger event.
The book is interesting. Jack, of course, makes almost no mistakes, and his wife is a perfect angel. She understands when he says, "yes, I went to the strip bar, but that's where the debriefing session was held."
The unexamined assumption that OF COURSE men who work hard have to relax by drinking all night, having bar fights, and visiting strip joints is overdone.
The book does provide information about a little-understood group of airmen who put their lives on the line to rescue others in what can be very difficult situations, much like the Coast Guard rescue jumpers. Their main purpose is to rescue downed pilots and personnel in need of medical help, on land or sea, but they're also available to help civilians when civilian rescue agencies don't have the resources available.
There is some understanding of the mentality of repeatedly putting your life on the line -- you might as well die doing something you love, while helping others.
The book could have argued for better equipment -- although the author repeatedly recounts stories of how difficult it is for helicopters to refuel from tankers during rough weather, the author doesn't argue for a better, heavier, longer, wider (or whatever) fueling drogue design.
The Perfect Storm part takes 30 pages, IF you include the soap opera parts about the wives calling each other for news. A pararescue helicopter and tanker was dispatched during the Perfect Storm to rescue a sailor doing a solo trip around the world. The rescue was aborted due to heavy seas, and the rescue helicopter itself ditched on the way back to base, with the loss of one airman. The helicopter ditched because it was unable to refuel with the existing drogue design. The author, in charge at the base, grounded rescue attempts of this airman due to his orders and impossible conditions. Yet his men took their anger out of him, sometimes in petty ways. They stole his jacket, and snuck a bottle of booze into his luggage as he was about to fly into a Muslim country, which if discovered would have gotten Jack in enormous trouble. There's so much talk of the "teamwork" ethos in the book -- where did it go when his men were angry at Jack, and caused him to have to leave command of the unit?
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT CONVEYANCE OF OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Review: As a helicopter maintainer stationed with a USAF Rescue unit, I thought I knew all there was to know about being a PJ without actually being one. This book opened my eyes to the emotions of our elite Pararescue Jumpers. Jack Brehm masterfully retells "cherry" missions of close friends, candidly discusses his career highs and lows, and shares the emotions of not only himself and his fellow PJs, but of his wife and loving family. The perfect book for anyone interested in the subject. It truly made me appreciate the men under the maroon berets and fully understand the mission of my squadron. (SSgt Urbanski, 33RQS)
Rating: 
Summary: Great story
Review: Brehm nad Nelson tell a compelling story aboutBrehm/s life and career as a PJ. A very interesting book. Filled with true tales and events that really give the reader a flavor for this line of work. Highly encourage others to pick this up and read it.
Rating:
Summary: Super book about a Great Guy
Review: Enter the world of Rescue. John (Jack) Brehm does an excellent job in telling his story as his life of being a Pararescue Jumper (PJ). And for those of us that know John, and many of the other names that were mentioned in the book, made it hard to put down. Hats off, to both his wife Peggy and their children for their teamwork and support. John's dedication to both his career and family is truely spectacular. Having worked with John, and been flying rescue for over twenty years , I can appreciate all he had to share with his rescue stories. John has motivation and always gives that 150% in no matter what he does and is a super person to be around. He is a role model PJ, that has stuck with it for all these years, many times putting his own life out on the line, but still loving what he does for work. I still hope that the two of us can sit on the cabin porch and tilt a few beers as we look out at Mckinely and share some stories. I see the making of a good movie.
Rating:
Summary: I WOULDN'T put it down!
Review: I picked it up and read it cover to cover. No food, no drink, no phone calls needed! Jack Brehm's outstanding storytelling ability was all I needed. That Others May Live tells of a perfect balance that we all wish for between career and home. A job so worth it to the public that he would risk all he has to do it. A wife and family so supportive that they would never ask him not to! I already knew Jack Brehm and all of the Air Guard PJs were heroes. Stories of their superhuman efforts are legend on Long Island where I grew up. To be offered a glimpse into the life of Jack Brehm and the PJ comunity in this book was true heaven. That Others May Live is not only a great book about the Air Guard's PJs and what it takes to do the impossible, it lets the reader know that behind every hero there is another. In this case the true hero is Peggy Brehm. A woman who keeps not only the family together while he is away, but is the reason Jack can do what he does! I wondered after looking at the title for a bit, if the neverending support she gives Jack isn't another verson of "That others may live".
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Not to come off as sexist (and I certainly don't consider myself to be so!), but the vicarious thrill one gets from reading Brehm's book is (probably) more likely to appeal to men. Be forewarned, though...unless you're a tri-athlete of the "Ironman" variety, you may find yourself feeling very small and weak compared to the PJ's. While Brehm does point out that success as a Pararescue Jumper is more dependent upon attitude than on size, they still come off seeming a bit like "super-men." Nonetheless, I got the impression that he's the kind of guy I'd love to sit and have a beer with. He may have had "100 years" worth of excitement in his 20-year career, but he doesn't come off as an uppity jerk. One of his funniest stories involves the manner in which a large snapping turtle was "dispatched" during survival training. For the sake of the reader, I won't give up the punchline, but suffice to say, I laughed out loud when I read it. Overall, it was a great read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who read (or saw), "The Perfect Storm" and would like to know more (a LOT more!), about the helicopter rescue attempt.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on special forces
Review: Pete Nelson did an outstanding job writing this one. You actually felt like you were there with the pararescue jumpers. Very few people know about this elite unit, but hopefully more will know about it and aspire to be one. The book did have some really "mushy" parts about family life and Jack's love with Peggy... I guess that might attract a wider audience... but, for the more action oriented... there is more than enough to keep you interested. This book was so good, I finished it in under 12 hours.
Rating:
Summary: Great!
Review: this book is worth the money. but i have to admit, you have to have some interest in the Air Force, particularly the special tactics teams. all in all this book is very good.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting Story-Melodramatically Told
Review: This book tells the story of Jack Brehm, a career pararescue jumper or PJ. After graduating from high school in the mid-1970s, Brehm answered an ad in the paper for men interested in learning how to jump from airplanes. The ad had been placed by the local PJ recruiter on Long Island. After talking with the recruiter, and learning the kinds of tasks PJs undertake, Brehm decided he was interested in signing up. He proceeded to basic training and then to the pipeline, a series of training schools starting with "Superman School", designed not only to build skills and physical abilities, but also to weed out anyone not possessed of superhuman strength, endurance, and motivation to put their lives on the line for others. Brehm made it through the pipeline and became a full-fledged PJ in the early 1980s. At the same time that he started flying missions, he also became a father to twins, and this story is as much his family's story as it is his.
Brehm describes for us the risks that PJs take on stormy seas or windy mountain tops. Over the course of his 20-year career, Brehm saved many lives but lost many of his friends in job-related accidents. He was also injured himself on several occasions. The one tour of duty that he wanted most of all to complete his career was a military rescue. The stories can be quite interesting; however, their melodrama is played out to the fullest extent. At times details are blown completely out of proportion, such as when Brehm is faced with the decision between following his PJ mentor to Alaska or applying to be the NCO in charge of his unit when his mentor leaves. This episode is presented as being extremely momentous. Certainly, it was an important time in Brehm's life, but not that remarkable compared with similar decisions that people with more sedentary jobs must make routinely. Other details are similarly exaggerated, and the level of melodrama makes the book read at times as if it were straight out of Reader's Digest. Nevertheless, Brehm's story is very engaging and informative about a branch of the services that many people have never heard of.
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