Life Jacket
Rediscovering the Four Chaplains of World War II and Why Their Sacrifice Still Matters
Coming May 4, 2027
Four World War II chaplains gave up their life jackets to save others. They perished but became heroes. One man sets off on a journey across America to rediscover their forgotten legacy.
THEY GAVE UP THEIR LIFE JACKETS FOR ALL OF US . . .
FOUR MEN . . . ONE IMPOSSIBLE DECISION . . . A FORGOTTEN STORY . . . A REDISCOVERED LEGACY
What can the self-sacrifice of four young chaplains who died in World War II teach us about our own lives?
Published by Knox Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
BookshopAmazonBarnes & NobleHudson Booksellers—Chaplain (Major General) William Green, Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.)
26th Chief of Chaplains of the United States Army
—Jeffrey E. Phillips, Maj. Gen., U.S. Army (Ret.)
Former Executive Director, Reserve Officers Association of the U.S.
“Peter Lovenheim brings to life the four heroic chaplains who gave their life jackets to others and went down with the ship. Their story embodies the highest form of sacrifice and selflessness—and is one that teachers, clergy, the media, and all of us must continue to tell. Life Jacket is a must-read.”
—Chaplain Michael L. McCoy
18th National Director of VA Chaplains; 2018 Recipient, Chapel of Four Chaplains Gold Medallion
About
Peter Lovenheim is an author and journalist whose articles and essays have appeared in the New York Times, New York Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Parade, Politico, The Forward, AARP Magazine, The Washington Post, and other publications. He is Washington Correspondent for the Rochester Beacon, an online source of news and commentary for his hometown of Rochester, NY. His latest book, coming May 2027, is Life Jacket.
Photo by DuHon Photography
Selected Articles & Interviews
“In Brighton, a Nativity scene becomes a constitutional fight” (Rochester Beacon)
“Judith Viorst’s wonderful, delightful, excellent, very good day” (Rochester Beacon)
Video Interview: “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (The New York Times)
Radio Interview: “Gift Shop of Gratitude” (NPR affiliate, WXXI)
“Four Forgotten Heroes Still Offer Us Their Life Vests” (Washington Examiner)
“My dinner with the Boston Strangler” (Rochester Beacon)
“Exit Through My Imaginary Gift Shop” (NextAvenue)
“Jingle all the way? Maybe not” (Rochester Beacon)
“How Your Earliest Attachments Shapes Your Politics” (NY Daily News)
“Your Neighbors Can Help You Battle Adversity and Disaster” (Zocalo Public Square)
“Yes, the ‘Moo Too’ Movement is Here: Abuse of Dairy Cows is a Feminist Issue” (LA Times)
“When It Comes To Social Justice, Synagogues Should Start Thinking Like Conservatives” (The Forward)
“How To Tell Someone’s Attachment Style On A First Date” (MindBodyGreen)
“When Words Lose Their Meaning” (Rochester Beacon)
As Featured In
