Customer Reviews

The Man Who Rode the Thunder

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

It is with great sadness that I must report that my uncle passed away on July 6, 2009. He was a true American hero. My name is Wayne Rankin and Lt. Col. Wm. Rankin is my uncle. I grew up with him visiting us and I am very proud of what he accomplished during his career in the Marine Corps. His story has inspired me to be what I am today. My son joined the Marines and is a decorated hero of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. He was awarded a Purple Heart and nominated for a Silver Star. He always stated he did it in part because of my Uncle Bill. If anyone is interested and reads this [...] Thanks.

This book was the most moving book I have ever read. He was the first and only man to survive being inside a thunderstorm, and he is still alive and well right now. Every time I see a thunderhead of a storm cloud, I think of this book, and how this man could suffer through all of that and still stay alive. I am a 13 year old girl, and reading this book could be the most inspiring expeirience ever. It is an easy book to understand, but fit for all ages. I encourage anyone who loves a good story to read "The Man Who Rode The Thunder".

I read Lt. Col. Rankin's book in the early sixties while learning to fly and have never forgotten the book nor the author's name. I have told numerous fellow pilots about it. Movie producers are overlooking this possibility. Someday, I would like to meet Lt. Col. Rankin.

I read this book (in paperback form) as a young man in the early 1960's. It made a great impression on me. As the years pass, I find myself remembering this amazing true story. Often I'm reminded of this book when I see a thunderhead, or storm system developing. (The only other aviator/writer that has impressed me equally is St. Exupery in his book, "Wind, Sand, and Stars.") Lt. Col. Rankin's book would make a wonderful film - if done with the same care as the classic Jimmy Stewart movie, "The Spirit of St. Louis". With today's special effects, and if filmed with daring and wonder, it would be a great. But read the book first. Its unforgettable!

It has been 30 years since I read The Man Who Rode The Thunder. When I saw it in the junior high library, the title caught my eye. I was not interested in reading, but a book report was due. This was the first book that I ever read from cover to cover in one sitting. It opened my eyes to the world of books. I recently told my teenage son the story, and now he wants to read it. I hope it will open his eyes the way it did mine.

The Man Who Rode the ThunderIn 1963 I was stationed in HqCo H&SBn MCRDep SDiego serving as the Chief Clerk in G-1. Next door was a LtCol Rankin in G-2. In the hallway were soda & candy machines but if the good Colonel caught you buying from them you were in for a good fifteen minute lecture on how bad that stuff was for you and and he was a living example as he lived some 45 minutes between bailing out of his crippled aircraft and landing on the ground being thrown around with lack of air in the storm cloud. We would post a watch in hall and then one of us would run out and get what we needed and slip back in before the colonel noticed us.

I read this book in the mid 60's. I was in high school. Later I joined the US Navy, became an Air Traffic Controller. I left the navy and hired on with the FAA. In 1978 I worked with the air traffic controller that was controlling the unfortunate marine, when his A-4 lost hydrolics and bailed out during a thunderstorm. Thus "the man who rode thunder".
Would love to get my hands on a copy of this book, so my children could read it as I did.

Gib Llewellyn

I read this book when I was in middle school. It was one of the many reasons that I joined the Marines. It was written back in the day when men were men and weren't afraid to be just that. I am trying to give my son, and daughter, the same mentality. Perhaps that is why they are BOTH good defensive ends. ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK! Thank goodness that my parents kept my library intact after I enlisted! My boy has already read it at 14 years old, the girl is next at twelve. There is still pride and honor in this country, it is just becoming a little bit more difficult to see.
Regards,
Sgt. VanderHorst

I was a Navy Air Traffic Controller stationed in Guantanamo Bay and worked at the Leeward Point control tower. I met The Colonel when he visited the control tower and during our exchanging "sea Stories" he related his experience that culmulated in the writing of his book. I never got to read his book, but his personal narritive has stayed with me. He visited the tower several times during his squadron's deployment and I was very impressed by his professionalism. He was a Marine's Marine
A.D.

I remember reading this book as a high-school teenager before I learned to fly. It was an amazing story I still remember today and highly recommend it to anyone especially aviators.
I'm sorry to hear about William's death. It sure would have been cool to meet him.