Customer Reviews

Four Against the Wilderness : The True Story of a Father and His Three Teenage Children Shipwrecked off the Coast of Alaska in Winter

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the true story of a sailing family, shipwrecked in Alaska, in unsurvivable conditions, that seemed to get worse at every turn. Elmo Wortman does an excellent job of putting this experience to paper. He makes you feel what he (as well as his children) are going thru. A truely miracleous event that tugs at one's heart-strings, makes you mad, brings you to tears, and certainly won't leave you unaffected once you've read it.

Mr. Wortman writes in a simply format to allow the reader an opportunity to fully grasped the danger of the situation without being distracted by flowery words. The courage this family protrayed and the lesson in determination for survival is the reason I have read and re-read this book over a dozen times. The majastic of the sea and of the coast of Alaska makes this a unforgetable backdrop to an adventure of a lifetime.

Apparently, this is already being sold and I bought my copy in Craig, AK. Here, the book really is still a top seller.

Good job on the reprint, especially Seth Conroe's illustrations, as he is a decendant of Elmo Wortman's it really makes the book a must own!

Good luck with continueing to have the book thrive and circulate for years to come.

The father wrote this book with such humble admiration for his children, especially his son who stepped up to the challenge of leading his father and sisters through this awful ordeal.

The father admits his weaknesses, and has the courage to admit when he was overwhelmed by the situation. He was an amazing writer who brings the reader to admire the courage of his children. All of the children are wise and contribute to the family's survival.

This is one book I will read again and again. It is not flowery, it is written in simple words that are just exactly the right words to convey the emotion. After I finished reading this book the first time, I searched for a sequel, wishing to know what became of the family once they were safe back home, and hoping the best for them. I really wish a sequel was out there.

We moved to SE Alaska in 1987. I started out on Prince of Wales Island and then moved to Dall Island. I have beachcombed on Long Island and Dall Is. I have been to each place that was described in the book. It amazes me that they all survived for that long. If any of you have ever slipped into the cold Alaska waters, even in the Summer, you would have a very special appreciation for what these people went through. The beaches are sometimes difficult if not impossible to walk. I can't imagine it with 3 feet of snow and angled ice. Elmo did his best for his children. One that has never lived in the Alaska bush, can not judge acuratly the way they were brought up. Alaska children are one of the best. They understand what it is like to not have ALL the luxuries. They see beautiful sunrises and sets, things that animals do that most will never see. They know what it takes to get something to eat, and to appreciate it.
I am not known as an emotional person, but reading the book and knowing what these people went through brought me to tears...

This is the true story of a sailing family, shipwrecked in Alaska, in unsurvivable conditions, that seemed to get worse at every turn. Elmo Wortman does an excellent job of putting this experience to paper. He makes you feel what he (as well as his children) are going thru. A truely miracleous event that tugs at one's heart-strings, makes you mad, brings you to tears, and certainly won't leave you unaffected once you've read it.(This review has my CORRECT email address)

I have read this book several times. I have bought it several times and I gave it away to the best of my friends. There was nobody who didn't say "Thank you for one of the most exciting books I have ever read!"
Elmo, I know you will read this. I have always wanted to express my admiration for your honesty, for your endurance, for the way you raised and educated your kids. Cindy, Jena and Randy, you went through living hell. But it made you come out a lot stronger, I'm sure. What a family!

Thank you, Elmo, for having written this book.
I have published several books myself, but none of it has the momentum of yours.

To the person in Hawaii, what you need to realize is that in the very first part of the book, the KIDS WANTED to live in Alaska.. the father did NOT force them to. Another thing... all the children had survival skills that helped them with this unfortunate turn of events.. and that tells me that they LOVED living the way they were.

To the neice or nephew from New England, I am so very sorry for your loss. I read the book in highshool and still continue to read now as an adult. It gives me a wonderful feeling of warmth to see how a family sticks together and works for the safety of each other. If you would please contact me and tell me how the Wortman children are doing, I would so much appreciate it. The book was moving and I enjoyed it very, very much. I feel like I knew the family after reading it and have kept it part of my life for so long, it would be nice to know how their lives have panned out. :)

If you've not read this book, you will enjoy it.

Elmo Wortman was my uncle, he died of cancer a few years ago and to the reader in Hawaii you should meet such jerks in your life. Your tune would change.

Elmo Wortman was a hero, he raised 5 children who are all successful adults and as an Uncle he touched all our lives in a profound way.

He was not a college educated man but book learned and knew how to put common sense and experience into practice.

We all loved him because he was kind and generous and strong and funny and quick with a compliment, a lesson or a hug.

He still gives me strength.

Soap box away!

To the person from Hawaii who only knows half the story of Elmo Wortman who was my second Uncle. The man sit out raise his chldren right. And yes they missed out on allot of the nice things that most kids got to have growing up, but what they missed just made them into better men and women. Elmo was one hell of a man, whod did right by his children.