Shattered Air: A True Account of Catastrophe and Courage on Yosemite's Half Dome

Shattered Air: A True Account of Catastrophe and Courage on Yosemite's Half Dome | Bob Madgic | great true story

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Shattered Air: A T...

	Shattered Air: A True Account of Catastrophe and Courage on Yosemite's Half Dome Bob Madgic Burford Books, 2007 - 264 pages average customer review:based on 31 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The compelling account of recklessness, tragedy, courage and rescue, a book whose sobering depiction of Nature's danger is tempered by unforgettable portraits of the triumphant human spirit.

Naiveté vs. Nature

What makes a good story? Setting for one thing - and what could more majestic than the Half-Dome gem set into the Yosemite grandeur.

Next come the characters - with their perfections and pimples. Then we want to see their development, if any, and if none, why not. Often when we anticipate how these players will respond to extreme circumstance, we are surprised, disappointed, cheerful, and even angry.

It's an added pleasure if, during our read, we are "let in" on the obscure skills, techniques and passions that drive the action.

But the two major elements of a mesmerizing adventure are converging drama and believability.

In Shattered Air, you can taste the approaching clash of ego and nature and you will suffer in the helplessness atop Half-Dome.

And when you close the covers of this true story, you'll take a deep breath and utter, "Wow."

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great true story

I enjoyed this book because I have been to Yosemite although I did not climb Half Dome. It was interesting because the reader got to see what led up to the tragedy and how this should never have happened. It was also great to hear everyone's side of the story including the EM T's and others that helped save 2 lives.

Thanks for the Memories!

As a participant in the rescue, I think Bob did a wonderful job putting this book together. By the time he interviewed me for the book, he knew far more about the events leading up to the incident than I ever did. When the book finally came out, I was so engrossed in the story that I kind of forgot that I was part of it, and when he got to the actual rescue it was like reliving the experience twenty years later.

As a paramedic, you seldom get to hear about the events leading up to a rescue, and even more rarely find out any details about the peoples lives that were involved, and what happened to them weeks and months later. So thanks Bob for giving me a rare opportunity to learn "the rest of the story".

I am quite sure that anyone with a love of the outdoors will find this a very good read.

Bill Bryant
(the paramedic on the helicopter)

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Humanity at Its Best and Worst

To put my review in context, I have climbed Half Dome several times, and was a former member of National Ski Patrol, trained and experienced in search and rescue. I have a friend who was killed by lightning in Arizona and was almost struck myself in my back yard, 20 minutes after a storm had ended and the sky had turned clear blue. I am a confirmed hiker and back packer and have back packed in Yosemite and the High Sierra many times. I found this book deeply troubling and at the same time very rewarding. This recounts the story of what happened when foolhardy young people ignored the warnings of the lethal reality of lightning as they approach Half Dome so that they can "dance in the lightning" to prove their manhood. Two are killed and others are severely injured by being struck multiple times by lightning. I was horrified by their wanton disregard not only for their personal safety but also for their disgusting disregard for others. Their actions were offensive in the extreme. Contrast this with the actions of the rescuers! Despite being offended by the vulgar and crude actions of those who were struck by lightning on Half Dome, they recognized the value of human life, no matter how offensive the victims were, and exercise heroic efforts, at immense self sacrifice, to save their lives. I take my hat off to all involved in the rescue but particularly to Linda Crozier for her efforts to save the injured. She stands out as a stunning example of not only the best humanity has to offer but also did a superb job triaging and treating the injured under the most trying circumstances. Linda, God bless you! Thanks also to the pilots of the helicopter who risked landing on top of Half Dome several times as darkness fell to evacuate the injured! What heroes! Anyone reading this book will have a much better understanding of the dangers of lightning and of the inherent risks and difficulties involved in moutain rescues! This book has a lot to teach and will affect almost every reader for the rest of their lives!

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Sahttered Air and Shattered Lives

The author tells an excellent tale of sociolocical misfits who play outside and believe they are free and some how superior. But Mother Nature does not suffer fools well and they do get a serious wake up call atop Half Dome - a place they thought they "owned." The people have a beliefe that they belong in the wilderness, but they really move with the wilderness. They do not practice good wilderness habits or manners. They cast a wide shadow as they tramp about. Anybody close enough to witness these travellers must have watched in awe as one does at a car wreck. How bad will this be? The author does explain how bad it gets and it is tragically serious. Where were the back country rangers when these people were out in the wilds? This is a well-written book, but the people made me feel like they disrespected the wilderness and they had some true issues with life. It is a very compelling story. "Keep moving folks. There's nothing here to see." It is an excellent description of the wreck.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

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