In his new book, a local writer helps tell the story of a national hero.

Jeff Zaslow, a Wall Street Journal columnist and metro Detroit resident, recently co-wrote “Highest Duty,” the autobiography of Captain Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger.

Sully, a pilot with over 40 years of training, made an emergency landing in the Hudson River during a flight last January.

The emergency landing became necessary after a Canada goose was sucked into each engine and the plane lost altitude. Emergency landings at area airports were not possible.

His ability to complete an emergency landing of the plane in the river is credited with saving the lives of 155 passengers and crew members aboard the flight.

Earlier this month, Sully made headlines when he returned to LaGuardia Airport to complete the flight.

Zaslow said he thinks that Sully’s story is important to read, especially for college students preparing to enter the work-force.

“Students are at the beginning of their careers, and Sully is a great example of someone with a lot of experience and someone who has worked hard,” Zaslow said.

Additionally, Zaslow hopes students   will recognize Sully for his modesty in spite of all of his.

“Sully wouldn’t call himself a hero,” Zaslow said. “But he is proud of himself and his accomplishments. He is certainly a role model.”

Zaslow said he was first approached to help write Sully’s story after Sully read another of Zaslow’s books, “The Last Lecture.”

Zaslow also co-wrote “The Last Lecture,” with Randy Pausch. The book tells the story of Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor, and the life lessons he wanted to pass onto his children. Pausch had pancreatic cancer and passed away in July 2008.

To help spread the word about the book, Zaslow visited Oakland University last March.

 After reading “The Last Lecture,” Sully decided he wanted Zaslow’s help with writing his autobiography. Zaslow, with an already full schedule, said he was eager to help when Sully said the book had to be finished quickly.

“I was honored to help tell his story,” Zaslow said.

Although Sully is nationally recognized because of his landing efforts last January, Zaslow said much of the book is focused on the rest of Sully’s life, rather than the actual river landing.

Zaslow and Sully wrote about Sully’s pilot training, Air Force career and family life. The book highlights his relationships with his wife and daughters.

An important part of the book also focuses on Sully’s belief in the “can-do” American spirit.

“The book is about all the moments in his life that led him to do what he did that day on the Hudson River,” Zaslow said. “He trained hard, he worked hard, and even things in his personal life gave him the fortitude to land the plane like he did.”

Photo Courtesy of Harper Collins: “Highest Duty,” the autobiography of Captain Chelsey B. “Sully” Sullenberger is in bookstores and online now.