Summer Heat

“How did I get here?”

Those were the words that David Hope thought as his boat, Summer Heat, was tossed in a storm on its way to the Bahamas. This book is the true story of his life, from his first experiences in sailing through his career as a Chesterfield County, Virginia Police Officer up until his ship was caught in a devastating storm. It’s a story of humor, heroics, good luck and bad luck that recounts the tale of David and his crew (including Jammer the Wonder Dog), as they struggled to survive on Summer Heat.

When disaster strikes, you need everything you have learned in life.

David Philip Hope served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War era after graduating from Infantry Officer Candidates’ School, Fort Benning GA. He completed his undergraduate degree from East Carolina University with a B.S.P. in Criminal Justice. He then served as a police officer in the Chesterfield County Police Department, Chesterfield County, VA from 1976 until his retirement in 2002. He rose to the rank of police major and ultimately had 250 police officers, supervisors, and managers in his command.

The author lives on the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his fiancée and his English springer spaniel. From there he sails the waters of Chesapeake Bay, the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, and south to Florida and the Bahamas. He has said many times that he is happiest when on his boat.