What People Are Saying

Military & Public Service

“Both Rear Admiral (ret.) Gallaudet and I served our nation in and out of uniform, and we shared a commitment to integrity and ethical leadership. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a field guide for those who want to learn how to remain true to those principles when the pressure to do otherwise is at its peak.” (Photo: U.S. Department of Homeland Security / Barry Bahler)

— The Honorable John Kelly, General (ret.) former Secretary of Homeland Security and White House Chief of Staff

“I’m pleased my leadership memoir, Breaking Ice and Breaking Glass, inspired Rear Admiral Gallaudet to pen his captivating memoir, Holding Fast in Heavy Seas. I invite you to dive headlong into this playbook for leading with moral courage through turbulent times. Journey with the author to experience almost first-hand the excitement of serving on an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea following the terrorist attacks of 9-11, to witness the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, and to navigate the moral dilemma of political turmoil at the highest levels of government. Grab this book now and you’ll come away with a seabag full of leadership lessons to help you become the leader people follow because they want to, not because they must." (Photo: U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

—  Sandra Stosz, Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard (ret.), author of Breaking Ice and Breaking Glass: Leading in Uncharted Waters and former superintendent of the US Coast Guard Academy

"A highly enjoyable and authentic reflection on the extraordinary career of my professional colleague and friend Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet. Through his 35-year career in uniform, culminating as the Oceanographer of the Navy; and then serving in the uppermost leadership echelons at NOAA, Tim artfully relates his impressive leadership journey - sharing the principles, experiential learning, and humility that made him a truly impactful servant leader able to keenly navigate his organizations through challenge while strategically leveraging opportunities to enhance national security and ocean science." (Photo: U.S. Department of Defense)

— Admiral (ret.) Karl L. Schultz, 26th Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

“In addition to powerful leadership lessons, Holding Fast in Heavy Seas includes excellent instances of how scientific and technical partnerships can bring navies and nations together.” (Photo: U. S. Department of Defense)

—  Admiral (ret.) James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander and Author of The Restless Wave: A Novel of the U.S. Navy

  “This is an important book — for students of practical marine science, for students of military and organizational leadership, and most importantly for political historians seeking to understand how effective public servants can lead organizations honorably during challenging political/military periods.  Of course Holding Fast in Heavy Seas presents the national security benefits of the ocean’s natural resources - an important but often misunderstood mark in the area of marine conservation. But it covers much more territory than that — how effective servant leaders can navigate complex and contradictory leadership responsibilities with integrity and humility.” (Photo: U.S. Department of Defense)

— Admiral (ret.) Kurt Tidd, former Commander of the US Southern Command

“Real leaders take care of their people. Period. Everything else follows. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a master class in doing exactly that, in uniform and out, across military, civilian, scientific, and technology-driven organizations. What I respect most is that Gallaudet teaches through sea stories, not preachy academics. He lived it, and it shows on every page. This one earns a place on your shelf.”

— Command Sergeant Major (ret.) Daniel L. Pinion, award-winning author of Chop That Sh*t Up! Leadership and Life Lessons Learned While in the Military

“Holding Fast in Heavy Seas by Tim Gallaudet is an excellent leadership book based on real life lessons learned in the U.S. Navy and leading NOAA. The book significantly contributes to the public discourse on the importance of better understanding marine science and conservation.” (Photo: U.S. Department of Defense)

— Admiral (ret) Craig Faller, U.S. Navy

“Students of politics and those concerned about national security in an America that owes its security and prosperity to its unique place among (and understanding of) the great oceans should critically read Holding Fast in Heavy Seas. Admiral Gallaudet shows the challenges, opportunities and choices a senior decision maker must make. In every administration, operational scenario, or budget situation, senior leaders are tested. Key, in too many instances, is that there is not enough information for the leader, or his/her supervisors, to make an easy choice. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas lets the reader peek into the life and demands of the most senior oceanographer in the military and civilian government during changing times.” 

— Paul G. Gaffney, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.), former Chief of Naval Research, president, National Defense University, and president, Monmouth University

Environmental & Science Leadership

“Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet knows—deeply, personally, and professionally—that the ocean is a source of wonder and humility. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is an action-filled adventure story, a riveting memoir of a life aquatic, and an indispensable guide for anyone hoping to learn from the sea’s wisdom at a time when its lessons have never been more urgent.”

—  Susan Casey, author of The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean

"If you've ever wondered what leadership looks like when the pressure is real, read Holding Fast in Heavy Seas. Drawing from an extraordinary life and career spanning ocean science, military service, and government leadership, Tim Gallaudet shares hard-earned lessons with honesty, humility, and deep purpose.” (Photo: @meghanheaneygrier on Instagram)

—  Meghan Heaney-Grier, Champion Freediver, Explorer, Educator, and Conservationist

“Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a powerful guide to navigating life’s most challenging waves with courage, clarity, and purpose—an inspiring blueprint for leadership when it matters most. Tim Gallaudet delivers hard-earned wisdom from the admiral's seat, reminding us that in turbulent times, strength of character is the true North Star.” (Photo: Shaun Tomson on Facebook)

— Shaun Tomson, World Champion Surfer and author of The Code: The Power of "I Will"

“It was a delight for me to partner with Rear Admiral (ret.) Gallaudet in our shared passion of ocean exploration, and I am proud to have a prominent place in this exceptional account of his life’s leadership journey.”

—  Victor Vescovo, Record-setting Ocean Explorer and Mountaineer

“I am honored to call Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim a friend and fellow defender of our ocean planet. What an amazing resume: Admiral, Ph.D., the Oceanographer for the Navy, Administrator of NOAA, but down to earth enough to chat with an old surfer. For those who also have saltwater running through their veins, Holding Fast in Heavy Seas will be an epic ride!” (Photo: Ian Cairns (kangacairns) on Facebook)

— Ian Cairns, Pro Surfing Champion and author of Kanga: The Trials and Triumphs of Ian Cairns

"At a time when our ocean is facing a wide array of challenges, Holding Fast in Heavy Seas highlights the important marine science and conservation accomplishments that NOAA and its partners like WHOI make every day.  This book provides pithy, hard-won examples of how we can become better, more balanced leaders, and better stewards of this ocean world as well.”

—  Dr. Peter de Menocal, President and Director, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

“AI is accelerating science at an unprecedented scale while trust in our institutions is faltering. In Holding Fast in Heavy Seas, Tim Gallaudet maps a crucial course by defining leadership with a foundation in moral clarity and humanity.”

—  Linea Avey, Co-founder 23andMe

“Tim Gallaudet has written that rarest of memoirs that do not confuse proximity to power with wisdom. The lessons here come from reflection on data off the curve, loss, service to the country, and the stubborn decision to keep doing the right thing when easier options are available. Gallaudet argues, persuasively and personally, that true leadership begins when people stop performing for those in authority and instead act on behalf of the trust of the people they lead.”

—  Dr. Garry P. Nolan, Rachford and Carlota A. Harris Professor, Stanford University

Truth & Transparency

“As America finally comes to grips with the reality that our government hasn’t always been truthful to its people, [Tim] continues to champion truth, transparency, and accountability across all levels of our bureaucracy. Tim has seen first-hand during times of peace and war the ultimate cost of not being transparent. His book is a must read and should be considered mandatory reading within our military academies. Reading this book makes clear the advantages of being truthful and the consequences of not being transparent.”

— Lue Elizondo, Former Member of the DOD UAP Task Force, The Age of Disclosure Cast Member

 “It is a rare treat when a high naval officer like Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet comments about the new reality posed by UFOs in the oceans of our planet. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is more than a ufology book, and all audiences would benefit from reading it.”

—  Dr. Jacques Vallee, Information science Pioneer, Silicon Valley investor and Author, Forbidden Science

“While not a UAP book per se, Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a terrific read to better understand how Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet came to be a national authority on this enigmatic topic.”

—  Ryan Graves, former US Navy F/A-18 pilot, founder of Americans for Safe Aerospace 

“I have been honored to join Dr. Tim Gallaudet in calling for the U.S. government to eliminate once and for all the coverup, disinformation, and misinformation regarding not only UAP, but other areas under federal purview. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a fantastic example of that noble effort for weather, oceanography, and environmental science.”

—  Dr. Eric W. Davis, Astrophysicist and National Security Professional, The Age of Disclosure Cast Member

“Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a must-read for aspiring leaders of all kinds, as it outlines the qualities that effective leaders in any field should learn and apply. Yet the book is much more than that; it is a compelling story of a life shaped by the sea. Gallaudet takes readers on an exciting journey, drawing on vivid experiences from the life of a true mariner—enduring days at sea in relentless, stormy conditions and encountering marine life up close that most of us will only ever see on a screen. He does not sugarcoat his story. As he confronts difficult but principled decisions rooted in these experiences, he reveals what ultimately defines successful leadership.  The book is not only insightful but highly engaging—I read it in a single day."

—  Dr. Diana Walsh Pasulka, author and professor, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

“Through his exceptional leadership, Dr. Tim Gallaudet displayed an admirable combination of integrity, humility and scientific courage. These are extremely rare qualities in today's risk-averse scientific culture. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is an inspiring and brilliant book that will encourage you to imitate Gallaudet's remarkable qualities.” 

— Dr. Avi Loeb, Harvard University Professor, bestselling author of: Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth" and Interstellar: The Search for Extraterrestrial Life and Our Future Beyond Earth

 “I have known Tim Gallaudet as a leader, scientist, and public servant committed to mission and people. Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is not a leadership theory book; it is a leadership experience book. Tim draws on decades of real-world service to provide practical lessons on integrity, resilience, and leading through turbulent times. There is value here for anyone entrusted with responsibility for others. Whether you lead a team, an organization, or simply seek to lead yourself more effectively, this book is well worth your time.”

—  Jay Stratton, Retired U.S. Government Senior Executive and Former Director, of the DoD's UAP Task Force

“Holding Fast in Heavy Seas is a must read for all who want to lead and inspire teams.  Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet shows how true leadership can inspire others and move organizations in the correct direction even when the solutions are not popular to the masses. Strong leaders rise when times are challenging.  They lead from the front and make difficult decisions based on principle and what is right, vice those based on popular decisions.  He has led this way through his Naval career and continues today helping move the UAP topic out of the shadows and into the public domain. Pushing government transparency isn’t easy and Tim is doing it from the front. A must-read for all!”

— Commander David Fravor, U.S. Navy (ret.)m former Commanding Officer of the VFA-41