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Shattered Air: A True Account of Catastrophe and Courage on Yosemite’s Half Dome Audiobook
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(3.09) - 221 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
On the evening of July 27, 1985, five hikers made a fateful choice to climb Yosemite's fabled Half Dome, even as the sky darkened and thunder rolled. By night's end, two would be dead from a lightning strike, three gravely wounded, and desperate EMTs would be overseeing a harrowing midnight helicopter rescue.
Shattered Airis a haunting account of recklessness, tragedy, courage, and rescue, a book whose depiction of Nature's power is tempered by unforgettable portraits of human courage and the will to survive. Listeners are sure to walk away with a newfound respect for lightning—and nature in general—after hearing this incredible true story.
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"This author did lots of research...He gives the history of Yosemite starting with the Indians, a history of hiking and climbing in Yosemite, a history of the famous climbs and 1st climbs and hikes of Half Dome. He describes the late 70's and early 80's. He explains what happens in thunderstorms and describes all the different kinds of lightening, details what happens when lightening strikes objects and people. He tells about all the deaths related to lightening in Yosemite's history. He describes each person who is part of the story, details everything that happens on July 26-27, '85, and what each person does. He also describes the history of emergency medical training and trauma training and helicopter rescues. All of this is very interesting, but basically comes down to the fact that the main people in the story were careless, reckless, selfish and stupid. They were extremely lucky that there were so many trained EMT's that came to help, and the hero of the story is the helicopter pilot.The mentality of the climbers and many hikers is that everything is all about themselves and "conquering their fear". These guys bullied those they were with who were completely new at hiking to Half-Dome and didn't care one bit about any one's safety. The jerks in the story really didn't change...were still jerks in the end. The main one "didn't want to talk about" the whole experience, well of course he didn't...he killed 2 people and wrecked the lives of others! This book on CD is well done."
— Janette (4 out of 5 stars)
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“A sobering and compelling story…Brilliant.”
— Outdoor Guide -
“Shattered Air is a ‘must-read’ book.”
— Sierra Club News -
“A well-written and thoroughly investigated account…[Madgic’s] contribution to the adventure category is at once a terrifying story and an urgent cautionary tale.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Anthony Heald’s slightly husky voice is perfect for this outdoor horror story. He adds foreshadowing when describing the gathering clouds, quickens the pace during the storm, and injects personality into the follow-up interviews. Listen and be educated, entertained—and cautioned.”
— AudioFile -
“A penetrating account of this tragedy.”
— Booklist
Shattered Air Listener Reviews
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" Good story about lightning deaths and destruction on Yosemite's half dome. "
— Debra, 2/20/2014 -
" If you are looking for a true tale of outdoor misadventure, this is the one for you. It didn't change my life but it was an interesting read, and you can bet I'll be a bit more cautious when it comes to lightening after this one. "
— Katie, 1/14/2014 -
" Good story, however, it should have been a short story! Great for people who are interested in hiking in Yosemite. "
— Denise, 1/10/2014 -
" I was very excited to read this book because it focuses on lightning - a weather event that is dangerous and misunderstood. I was also excited about the local focus on Yosemite and the Bay Area. I really enjoyed the story, but I was disappointed in the writing. I felt it needed more editing in terms of language and arrangement, and I found this frustrating. Some tangents seemed misplaced as well. I would have liked it to be a bit richer and developed in language - especially during the dramatic parts. Overall, it was an entertaining and informative read. I will definitely think twice before going outside in the mountains in anything resembling a thunderstorm or the potential for one.... "
— Melissa, 1/9/2014 -
" Great read. Liked how he set story up by describing the various people involved in the situation. "
— Lisa, 1/6/2014 -
" I've learned many things from this book, but mainly, do not go on top of a peak or in a cave during a lightning storm. This book was very informative while still keeping me on the edge of my seat. A truly great read... "
— Tyler, 12/27/2013 -
" After reading this true account of tragedy on Half Dome, I am not so sure about my goal to hike it. It certainly opened my eyes to the necessity of watching the skies! "
— Jodi, 12/24/2013 -
" Beware: a cave may protect you against rain during a thunderstorm but it will not protect you against lightning. Granite is a mineral and as such conducts electricity, particularly when wet. "
— Doug, 12/9/2013 -
" This is an interesting book about a well-known incident in 1985 when several hikers were struck by lightening in Yosemite. It's not the most eloquently written, but it is a page-turner and worth the read. "
— Cynthia, 11/23/2013 -
" True story of friends who spent the night atop Yosemite's Half Dome on a night when the rock monolith got struck by lightning. Madgic explores both the immediate and long term consequences. Well researched. "
— Amy, 10/6/2013 -
" 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. "
— Nancy, 8/24/2013 -
" This was a good, but scary book involving poor decision-making and the power of nature. More frightening since it was based on a real story, but also interesting info about the medical effects of being struck by lightening. "
— Kelly, 8/5/2013 -
" For those who truely love Yosemite and Half Dome, you will love this exciting and gripping encounter of a group's climb to the top. "
— John, 6/2/2013 -
" facinating, especially if you've done the hike. Have met the author twice as well as one of the survivors, truly an incredible story! "
— Renee, 9/7/2012 -
" Great book- wish I was 30 years younger to do that hike! Author was a bit detailed (thought about Michener) but still very good book. Foolish guys!!! "
— Michele, 8/26/2012 -
" I don't think i could be as brave as these people were.The risks taken were by all.Danger is always around us and to watch friends die must have been hard.Living day to day knowing you are still here. "
— Lisa, 6/16/2012 -
" This is a great read for those interested in the history of Yosemite and Half Dome. This may sound boring, but it is a great adventure read. The book tells of a group of hikers who meet with disaster and provides a lesson about the power of nature. "
— Young, 1/17/2012 -
" This was an interesting account, but it took me a while to get into it. Maybe because the main characters where not that likable of people. "
— Sarah, 12/18/2011 -
" A very good true story of foolish young men colliding with the power of nature and the consequences to be dealt with afterwards. Stay off granite mounds in thunderstorms. "
— Tracy, 12/10/2011 -
" Very interesting & fast read. Loved it since I've climbed Half Dome & can envision how horrifying this catastrophe was. "
— Liz, 10/5/2011 -
" Awesome story of stupidity in the wilderness and extreme efforts to overcome the consequences. I now have a much greater respect for lightning. "
— Jon, 7/7/2011 -
" It was an absorbing read and also very educational. I am going to check out other books by this author. "
— Sarah, 7/7/2011 -
" I liked the content and the stories. The actual writing was so-so. But the author got his point across. The first thing I wrote in my book journal after logging in the title and author is, "STIPIDITY!" Oh yes they were. "
— Liz, 6/5/2011 -
" Too much of the book was like a research paper. But the chapters about the actual hike and accident was interesting, what the lightning could do. "
— Linda, 2/28/2011 -
" True story of friends who spent the night atop Yosemite's Half Dome on a night when the rock monolith got struck by lightning. Madgic explores both the immediate and long term consequences. Well researched. "
— Amy, 1/2/2011 -
" To my Yosemite hiking friends: I never gave much thought to a lightning storm occurring on Half Dome and the dangers we could've encountered! I was just thinking of the challenge of the hike and making it to the top and enjoying the view! "
— Carrie, 8/17/2010 -
" facinating, especially if you've done the hike. Have met the author twice as well as one of the survivors, truly an incredible story! "
— Renee, 12/15/2009 -
" For those who truely love Yosemite and Half Dome, you will love this exciting and gripping encounter of a group's climb to the top. "
— John, 10/16/2009 -
" A true story of how a simple hike up Half Dome in Yosemite National Park went horribly wrong. "
— Dave, 7/6/2009 -
" This is an interesting book about a well-known incident in 1985 when several hikers were struck by lightening in Yosemite. It's not the most eloquently written, but it is a page-turner and worth the read. "
— Cynthia, 3/14/2009 -
" If you are looking for a true tale of outdoor misadventure, this is the one for you. It didn't change my life but it was an interesting read, and you can bet I'll be a bit more cautious when it comes to lightening after this one. "
— Katie, 2/18/2009
About Bob Madgic
Bob Madgic is a retired public-school administrator and now a full-time writer on the outdoors. He lives in Anderson, California.
About Anthony Heald
Anthony Heald, an Audie Award–winning narrator, has earned Tony nominations and an Obie Award for his theater work; appeared in television’s Law & Order, The X-Files, Miami Vice, and Boston Public; and starred as Dr. Frederick Chilton in the 1991 Oscar-winning film The Silence of the Lambs. He has also won numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards for his narrations.