Guardian of the Golden Gate

by Kevin Briggs, Sam Mellinger (Contributor)

For more than two decades, Kevin Briggs lived the kind of life where the smallest details could quite literally be the difference between survival and death. He met hundreds of people in their darkest hours, chased to the edge of one of the world’s most popular suicide destinations by demons their closest friends often didn't know about. Talk softly, and slowly. Ask their names, and if they have children. Talk about hope, but make no false promises. Kevin has helped more than 200 people find a reason to keep living. He’s lost only two. These are his stories.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Mental Health, Psychology, Biography

382 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 10, 2015

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

"34-20-M, be on the lookout for a possible 10-31 . . . " -- in California Highway Patrol radio parlance, a patrol supervisor (assigned to the motorcycle detail) being dispatched to a potential suicidal person

Co-author Kevin Briggs has lived quite a life. After surviving both a cancer diagnosis and bouts of depression (it ran in his family) as a young man during his stint in the U.S. Army, he next became a guard for few years at the infamous San Quentin State Prison where he honed his gift of gab when dealing with extremely dangerous inmates. His subsequent move was into police work, becoming a traffic enforcement officer / sergeant with the California Highway Patrol - riding a motorcycle, like in the late 70's TV series CHiPs - for 20+ years. (One of his 'on the job' experiences included surviving a horrific crash caused by a reckless driver.) Many of his years involved being assigned to cover the area where the city of San Francisco borders Marin County, which means the legendary Golden Gate Bridge. During Briggs' time in the CHP said landmark roughly averaged one suicide a week (!).

Guardian of the Golden Gate is both a biography of the man and his (although he repeatedly admits that he is not a medically licensed specialist) thoughts on the sometimes misunderstood and uncomfortable subjects of mental health awareness, depression, and suicide. Briggs comes across as a salt-of-the-earth and self-deprecating guy, although he's credited with saving about 200 lives on the so-called bridge beat of his CHP career. Included are some of his experiences plus a number of first-person accounts / testimonials from those various distressed folks that he had a chance to help. It was an occasionally (believe it or not, given the serious subject matter) humorous but more often a heartfelt work, with some very sad moments. Additionally, his efforts restore a little bit of luster to the badge-wearing men and women in this country who have lately been under very much scrutiny.

[Francisco Silva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mensagem muito interessante. Partilha de experiência muito importante mas desorganizada. Livro sem qualquer estrutura e com pouco fundamento médico a acompanhar diferentes abordagens

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kevin Briggs is a hero-no doubt, and a very interesting guy. He has talked hundreds of folks who we're ready to commit suicide down from the rail. Now he is a widely sought after expert on suicide, which is quite interesting considering he lacks even a college degree.

That is why this book was somewhat disappointing. Mr. Briggs keeps alluding to his own depression being an aid to helping others-but he never really dealt into how he felt when he was depressed. For example, he mentioned his mother died when both he and she we're relatively young-which we make anyone depressed. But he never expressed his true feeling at the moment, such as questioning God why he took her, why many of his peers parents we'e alive and healthy but not his, etc. Similarly, he mentioned he got testicular cancer at age 21, and a testicle had to be removed. Depressing stuff, to be sure-but he never talked about how he felt-like God was punishing him at an age when most guys his age we're just trying to drink and get laid, etc.

Also, the books chapters seemed to omit other useful information. One chapter was written by a guy who jumped off the bridge and actually survived. But he never mentioned what he felt like immediately after he jumped, or hitting the water, etc.

The book could have benefited from better proofreading as well.

I rated this book rather highly, because despite it's faults, it was an easy and interesting read. I liked how Mr Briggs described his method of talking to people-never disagreeing, just listening. If someone said they felt "their life is worthless". He would never say "No it's not!"-as that is confrontational, and he would avoid that. He would say "It looks like your going through a difficult time". One chapter was dedicated to a family whose son ultimately jumped, and the father's only goal in his life was to be a good father-and to this he felt he failed.

Overall, not a horrible book-but not great either-which is a shame because the author has a very interesting story, and this book just didn't tell it nearly as well as it could have been.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I read the entirety of Guardian of the Golden Gate with keen interest and great admiration for Kevin Briggs, I would recommend this title only with reservations. Mr. Briggs has a unique, valuable perspective to offer on a troubling public health issue but his editor and publisher did him a serious disservice: The book contains numerous misspellings and is not particularly well-structured. On top of that, the reader who is interested in the relationship between the public health aspects of suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge from Briggs’ personal perspective may yet find the autobiographical nature of the book ham-handed. Least of all, as part of his demanding and often dangerous work as a highway patrolman, Briggs was a highly skilled interventionist with those in crisis (and is now a dedicated activist) but the air of sensitivity he projects in this account of a public servant is strangely at odds with the macho portrait of him on the cover. The book resonated with me but in my humble opinion the blending of Briggs' memoir with such a troubling, sensitive topic deserved more care.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It helps to talk it out

I enjoyed reading this book for a different point of view on the issues surrounding suicide. It is a devastating reality many people are unaware of that continues to plague this country. I urge you to read it for the ending. The stories in between are necessary but not as much as the instruction at the end. This book is necessary for you and your loved ones because you never know when someone may need you to carry them.

[Niniane · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is a cop who talked to 200 people who went to the other side of the railing on the Golden Gate Bridge, preparing to jump. Only 2 people ended up jumping.

Fascinating to hear the techniques he used, how he listened to them without judgment.

Interesting to get more details about Kevin Berthia, one of the most famous almost-jumpers. Berthia kept living an unhappy existence with his feelings bottled up for another 8 years until he spoke at an award show about suicide prevention.

Great book about crisis prevention with real stories.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the purpose and message is important but there was something off about the flow of the book. It seemed like it jumped around and parts were told by other people, which made some things confusing. On one hand I wanted to hear more stories from on the bridge. On the other hand, I wanted to hear more about how this work affected the author's life and how he dealt with it. I think this book had great potential but fell a little short on delivery.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read this book. You will learn about mental illness. There should be no stigma about depression and other mental illnesses. The author, a retired California Highway Patrol officer, describes his interaction with suicidal citizens who want to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge. He doesn't judge them. He listens and offers them hope.

I learned so much about the Bridge, the police who patrol it, what exactly happens when people jump, why the safety net is needed and how to talk to people who might be depressed. The author is also open about his own depression and how he continues to deal with it. He continues to advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention by telling his story to groups around the world.

The wonderful part of the book was reading the stories of the survivors who now have active, healthy lives.

[Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was average. As I am a Licensed Professional Counselor it didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I took points away for the numerous spelling mistakes, and the lack of coherent narrative. With that being said, I enjoyed Brigg’s personal stories included. This book may be helpful for a layperson interested in learning more about mental health.

[Peggii · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story that deserves to be told
The writing is not exceptional but still worth reading if you are ready emotionally

[Aurora Dimitre · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

not my thing, but i can see where it would be nice

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I took notes on this book, so I could feel more prepared to help someone who I thought was an immediate suicide risk. I feel much more at peace with how to handle that terrible situation. YOU could be the person who’s observant enough to come alongside someone who’s hurting. So much of it is just listening and caring! You can’t take responsibility on yourself for what they ultimately decide to do, but you CAN say- Hello, I’m here, and I’m not leaving you, and I’m listening <3 That could save a life! Incredible book! A favorite for sure.

[Leslie Jonsson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book on what it is like to work at helping the Golden Gate bridge suicide runners.

[Jj]

First of all i have to say this! This man, Kevin Briggs is a hero, role model, one of the most heroic person i have ever heard. He makes Mr. Incredible look like a civilian. This book is about his experience of being a San Francisco police officer. Part of the job is trying to convince suicidal people not to jump of the bridge. He shares three stories of this. I would recommend to any one! It is a great novel. I would give it 4.5 stars out of 5.