John Doolittle Releases Novel About Mountain Rescue Operations
News related to:John Doolittle · 2 min read
BODEGA BAY, CA, September 26, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Set in the Lake Tahoe basin during a massive winter storm, the narrative follows a team of volunteer ski patrollers as they face a series of escalating emergencies, including a chairlift evacuation, a search for two missing children, and a multi-day rescue effort.
Doolittle, a 30-year veteran of the National Ski Patrol, brings his firsthand experience to the story. His career, which spanned from 1979 to 2008, involved patrolling at a resort in the Lake Tahoe basin. While the storm and characters in the book are fictional, the author states that the events reflect the range of incidents, personalities, and working conditions he encountered during his patrol career. The title of the book, "Responding to Save Others," is drawn from a motto Doolittle developed during his years patrolling.
The National Ski Patrol, founded in 1938 by Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole, comprises more than 30,000 members across over 640 patrols worldwide. Doolittle's novel offers readers an account of the training, procedures, and teamwork involved in mountain search-and-rescue operations. The book is Doolittle's second, following "Khoda Hafez…Goodbye Iran," now in its second edition, which is a nonfiction account of his family's move to Tehran in 1978, where he witnessed the onset of the Iranian Revolution and the final months of the Shah's rule.
Doolittle's background is diverse. He holds a degree in economics and a master's degree in finance. He retired as a senior executive from Pacific Bell/SBC and as a colonel in the United States Air Force Reserve. Despite his retirement from active patrolling, Doolittle was recognized with the Distinguished Service Award and a National Appointment. He and his wife, Nora, have traveled to more than 45 countries and enjoy bridge, golf, and skiing. They have two married children with families of their own, one in Florida and the other in California.
"Responding to Save Others" is a compelling exploration of the dedication and courage required in the face of natural disasters and emergencies. The book not only entertains but also serves as a tribute to the unsung heroes who risk their lives to save others. Through Doolittle's narrative, readers gain insight into the lives of ski patrollers and the challenges they face in their daily work.