SANTA ROSA --

Copperfield’s Books welcomes local author Brett Crozier to Santa Rosa High School in celebration of his new book - Surf When You Can: Lessons in Life, Loyalty, and Leadership from a Maverick Navy Captain. 

The discussion will be moderated by friend and local reporter Chris Smith.

Q&A and book signing to follow the conversation.

This event is free and open to the public, please register below for one of the following.

Tickets:

- Free Admission

- Signed copy of Surf When You Can + Admission for event pick-up

Inspiring lessons learned from a lifetime of honor, service, and leadership from Captain Brett Crozier, the former commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and renowned Navy officer.

Amid one of the darkest times in American history, it was a moment that captured the attention of the nation. Brett Crozier, captain of the most powerful and prestigious aircraft carrier in the United States Navy, walked off his ship for the last time while thousands of his sailors saluted and chanted his name in admiration.

This remarkable moment occurred after Crozier made the decision to try to protect his sailors by pleading with his superiors for help when COVID-19 swept through the vessel. Two days later, he was relieved of command.

Now, Crozier reflects on his life, career, and commitment to doing the right thing in a book that celebrates the power of kindness, the importance of teamwork, and the value of standing up for what you believe in. Through a series of captivating stories set all around the world, Crozier takes us along on the grand adventures of his extraordinary career and introduces the incredible people he met along the way.

From his days as fighter pilot facing near-death experiences to commandeering suspected pirate vessels in the Persian Gulf, and of course, seizing any opportunity to enjoy one of his favorite hobbies—surfing—Crozier distills the lessons he has learned and the principles that have guided him, showing how you can apply them to your personal and professional life.

Author: Brett Crozier grew up in California, graduated from the United States Naval Academy, and embarked on a thirty-year career in the Navy, flying dozens of combat missions over Iraq and leading at the highest levels of operational command. He served as the commanding officer of a combat F/A-18 strike fighter squadron, the world’s largest and most advanced communications ship, and ultimately the USS Theodore Roosevelt before retiring from the Navy in 2022. Surf When You Can is his first book.

Chris Smith worked 42 years as a reporter and columnist for The Press Democrat. Now two years into retirement, he continues to file a few stories each month. In November of 2019, Chris wrote in his column of Brett Crozier, a former PD news carrier, Howarth Park train-ride engineer and 1988 graduate of Santa Rosa High who'd assumed command of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. In the spring of 2020, Chris began contributing to the Press Democrat's coverage of the attempts by Crozier to protect his crew from the onboard spread of COVID-19, and of the Navy's decision to remove him as commander of the ship.  Chris lives in Santa Rosa with his wife, fellow PD newsroom retiree Diane Peterson.