Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the true story of a handful of hikers who attempted to climb the venerable Half Dome, and faced a battle for their lives when a thunderstorm moved in.

First, the writing: Bob Madgic writes a tale as gripping as The Voyage of the Endurance, or Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air. The adventure speeds along with succinct descriptions that don't bog down the pace of the story. He has an easy and straightforward style, encompassing many viewpoints and answering (or attempting to answer) the many questions a reader would have. Very, very well done.

There are two main groups in this book: the injured hikers, and the many people who fight to save them. The heroes in this story are those who risked their own welfare to help total strangers. The main question, however, is what in the world made the hikers do something so incredibly reckless and stupid.

Those honors go to Tom Rice, a charismatic young man who guides a group of hikers (both skilled and total novices) on a trail that leads into hell. Both of the victims in this tragedy were first-timers on the Half Dome, though many others suffered a physical and emotional toll.

I couldn't put this book down, though I was discouraged by the ending (as often happens in real life.) Rice comes off as narcisscistic and contemptible, concerned primarily with a sad need for attention and his addiction to his adrenaline rush. He apparently never took an ounce of responsibility for what happened to the young teen novice who followed him up that rock, at least not publicly -- and from his reported future reckless actions that involved others, he seems to have come away from the whole experience primarily with a determination not to change even the slightest bit.

It takes a lot of guts to look deep into your own soul. Rice didn't have that kind of courage. He could deal with the more macho aspects of his ordeal -- the pain, the operations -- but not the tougher self-examination that should have followed.

It's ironic that of all the people on Half Dome that day, the self-proclaimed worshipper of strength and fearlessness proved to be the weakest of them all.

And by the way... if Shattered Air doesn't instill a healthy respect in you for the power of lightning, nothing will. This is an extraordinary story. Don't miss it.

As a key participant in this event, I am saddened that you would give the book such a bad review based on your desires to be mentioned. You did not give your real name on the review, nor the full name of the person we only knew as "Brutus". To my knowledge, there is no record of you contacting the rangers, nor did any of us who were there meet or talk with you. Mr. Madgic tried very hard to find Renee Miller for several years, unsuccessfully, to get her story.

If you did, in fact, help in any way that night, those of us who were on top thank you for your efforts. It was an intense experience for all of us and, thanks to the years of effort writing this book by Mr. Madgic, it is now recorded in a beautiful, TRUTHFUL, and FACTUAL way.

Again, I am sorry you feel left out after all of these years.

Linda Crozier Ghilarducci (Hoog Party)

Half Dome is just about the prettiest mountain in the world. I've seen it from several angles, including overhead from a plane on an absolutely gorgeous day. I've never really had the urge to go walking up that vertical face. In fact I've often wondered just what it was that drove climbers to challenge the rock, to challenge themselves.

Mr. Madgic calls the two principal climbers reckless. But he also explains that this was a typical decision that they would make as a way to conquer their own fears.

I was left with several feelings. One is that their actions really caused a great deal of risk and effort on the part of the rescue people. Their own foolishness is one thing, but to cause others to be at risk is quite another. Two, any remote desire that I might have had to climb half dome is totally erased. I'll just look at it from a distance.

As for the book itself. It is well written, it reads almost like a mystery novel. You are wondering just what's going to happen to these people. If it is evening while you're up to the lightening strike, put the book down right then. Otherwise you'll be up later than you planned.

I received and started reading this book this afternoon and had a tough time putting it down. I just couldn't read it fast enough. Like a person that reads the last chapter of a mystery, I had to skip ahead in places to see what happens to who, but I *always* went back to fill in the details.

I learned so much because Madgic obviously researched and interviewed extensively and completely. He used this book not so much to entertain,which it does exceedingly well, but to educate so that others might avoid the same fate as those 5 hikers on July 27, 1985. If you ever venture outdoors during thunderstorms - do yourself a favor and read this highly charged book.

-- Brian Cage's Party #4.

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)

My passion is backpacking and photography. At 70 years of age, I continue to frequently hike and backpack into the wilderness areas of Northern California, as has been my custom for over 58 years!

Now that I've read - and re-read - Madgic's remarkable true and chilling account of the tragedy, that ruinous July night on Half Dome, I shudder as I recall the number of times I actually enjoyed experiencing while backpacking the "wonders" of a full-scale lightning storm from the so-called "security" of my tarp shelter. Thanks to Bob, I now know how foolish it was for me to feel I was "safe-just-because" I'd pitched my tarp - I've not used a tent for over 30 years - in heavily forested locations! From now on, and if possible, I'll heed his advice and leave the area altogether!

Who should read SHATTERED AIR? In this regard, there are three categories to consider.

First, the "Must-Reads:" Anyone who's likely to have, directly or indirectly, an encounter with lightning! SHATTERED AIR should become a required text for all those involved with search and rescue training; ditto for leaders of hiking and backpacking programs - AND for those taking these programs. Similarly, it would make a fine gift for all Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. I'm sure you can think of others.

Secondly, the "Thrill-Seekers:" Those who simply like a good action-packed book will not be disappointed with SHATTERED AIR. As a documentary, it's truly amazing how Madgic has organized all the essential elements in his thriller!

Thirdly, the "Literary-World:" Writers will view with awe the remarkable scope of SHATTERED AIR. Madgic's skillful blend of history and geography sets a proper stage for the unfolding of the true and myriad details of his story that reads like a mystery novel. Madgic's acknowledgement cites 98 individuals who had key roles as resources for SHATTERED AIR. How impressive and encouraging it is to see what tenacity and perseverance can accomplish once an author resolves to write a book!

Excellent account of the events of July 27, 1985. As an avid climber of Half Dome, I have heard the lore of this event for twenty years. Finally, a thoughtfully researched piece on the events and people who converged to experience this tragedy. A good, quick read which is enhanced with solid, technically detailed data on climbing and Yosemite specifically. Very accurate, even down to the detail of the spring off the trail up to Quarter Dome.

Having made a similarly foolish decision to ascend Half Dome ahead of an approaching thunderstorm a few years ago and making a hasty but safe descent in the rain, I found this book at once repulsive and compelling. Reading it is an intensely emotional experience.

Mr. Madgic explores the twisted logic that draws fools into such experiences, and the horrifying reality of the consequences such ignorance and bravado occasionally bring. He takes the reader into the minds and motives of those involved, and through their eyes we experience the events of that day and night 20 years ago. If this were a novel, it would be gripping. The knowledge that this really happened makes it terrifying.

As a cautionary tale, this book should be required reading (and would be a loving gift) for anyone who loves the outdoors. It is difficult to read, but more so not to.

What a great "read"! Bob Madgic writes a gripping account of a day filled with tragedies and courage. I learned a lot from his thorough research. It's like three books in one: an adventure story, a guide for conducting yourself during a backcountry medical emergency and a valuable reference source on a subject (lightening) about which sound practical information is hard to come by. My stomach was tied up in knots as the intertwining events unfolded. So far, the 7 people that we have either given or lent the book to (all have been to Yosemite) have really connected with the story and are enthusiastically recommending it to other people. My two sons (teenager/young adult) couldn't put it down and they are not avid readers.

The experience was awesome. The book gave me an added boost and determination to complete the hike to the top of Half Dome. Yup, I had the guts to look down and peaked at the cave where the two guys died on separate occassions. It was an eerie feeling peeking in that cave. I was imagining that there would have been ample room for 3 to fit and insulate themselves from the granite walls. If Esteban and the other guy (who died) sitting outside were in the cave, they would be packed like sardines.

Inside the cave is a small window that has an awesome view of the valley. I plan to go back there next year. This time I am going inside the cave to a have a feel for the unfortunate ones. By the way, I said a little prayer for the two poor unfortunate souls who died. Be sure to do the same thing for them if you make it to the top.

So if you havent read the book and intend to hike Half Dome, please read it. Especially if you are a first timer, you will find a lot of info about the trail, the history, and science behind lightning. For those who made it to HalfDome and will hike for a 2nd or more time, read it to get a fresh perspective of the top when you get there. It gave me chills imagining if I was one of the five facing the vicious thunderstorm.