Author John Doolittle has released a new novel, Responding to Save Others: A Story of Duty, Sacrifice, and Courage, a work of fiction set in the Lake Tahoe basin during a massive winter storm. The book follows a team of volunteer ski patrollers as they respond to a series of escalating emergencies, including a chairlift evacuation, a search for two missing children, and the extended multi-day rescue effort that follows. More than a story, it is a celebration of service, resilience, and the human spirit.
The narrative draws on Doolittle's 30 years as a volunteer member of the National Ski Patrol, during which he patrolled at a resort in the Lake Tahoe basin from 1979 to 2008. While the storm and characters depicted are fictional, the author has stated that the events reflect the range of incidents, personalities, and working conditions he encountered over his patrol career. The book's title is drawn from a motto Doolittle developed during his years patrolling.
The National Ski Patrol was founded in 1938 by Charles Minot "Minnie" Dole and today 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.
"Responding to Save Others" is Doolittle's second book. His first, "Khoda Hafez…Goodbye Iran," now in its second edition, 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.
This new novel matters because it provides a rare, insider's view of the often unsung heroes of ski patrols, who risk their lives to ensure the safety of winter sports enthusiasts. With over 30,000 members worldwide, the National Ski Patrol's work is critical to mountain safety, and Doolittle's fictionalized account underscores the rigorous training, split-second decision-making, and deep camaraderie that define their service. Readers gain not only thrilling rescue narratives but also a deeper appreciation for the human spirit and the sacrifices made by volunteers.
For those interested in learning more about John Doolittle and his work, his website is https://johndoolittlebook.com/. The book is published by Prime Publishing Labs.
