Murphy, Brian. 81 Days Below Zero: The Incredible Survival Story of a World War II Pilot in Alaska's Frozen Wilderness. New York: De Capo. 2015. Print.
First Sentences:
Description:
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet
Weir, Andy. The Martian
Philbrick, Natianiel. In the Heart of the Sea
On a morning just above zero, a pilot with bed-rumpled hair hurried through tunnels under the Alaskan snow.
Description:
I relish survival stories, especially those that pit one person alone against overwhelming forces seeking to destroy him at every turn. The drive of that person to keep going and overcome both the tiny and major problems faced always strike a chord with me. These tales make me wonder how well would I have done in a similar situation, and bring me to the conclusion I probably would have died in the first few days. That the story's major character survives restores my faith in the ingenuity of humans and maybe even improves my will to press on in daily life.
Brian Murphy in 81 Days Below Zero: The Incredible Survival Story of a World War II Pilot in Alaska's Frozen Wilderness, tells the true story of First Lieutenant Leon Crane
who parachuted out of his doomed plane over the frozen landscape of Alaska in 1943. He and his crew of "Cold Nose Boys" (military fliers) were performing a routine test of a B-24 bomber when the plane spun out of control and headed straight down. Crane was able to parachute out, but the fates of the other crewmen was unknown to him. The plane burst into flames upon impact as Crane watched from his own landing area several miles away.
Realizing he had been off course and unable to radio their position, Crane begins walking, regretting that he had pulled off his gloves on board the aircraft. At temperatures ranging from -20 to -50 degrees, frostbite immediately became his first real problem.
Armed with the parachute for warmth and a few matches, Crane follows the frozen river, drinking the seeping water at the edges before it freezes, but unable to find any food. He is completely lost, but feels that following a river might bring him to people, even if they are by his estimate, over 100 miles away. How long can he survive without food, sub-zero temperatures, and no assistance?
What follows is the gripping and challenging story of Crane's plodding hike, his encounters with death, and his narrow escapes that make him wiser for the next obstacle faced. All this is set in an environment where the temperature rarely gets above -20 degrees.
Besides Crane's struggles, Author Murphy describes the history of the Alaskan area of the crash, including the gold rush as well the true purpose of the armed forces stationed there (preparing in 1944 for a major invasion of Japan). Using records, letters, and news articles, Murphy ably describes the feelings of the Ladd Air Base as well as the strength of the families of the lost airmen in their dogged determination to locate these men.
Crane's will, his cleverness, and his determination give us ordinary people the hope that we too, like him, could at least try to calmly, rationally overcome the terrible hand he has been dealt.
Read it in front of a fire, covered with a blanket and a cup of hot tea in your hand. You will still be shivering, guaranteed.
Brian Murphy in 81 Days Below Zero: The Incredible Survival Story of a World War II Pilot in Alaska's Frozen Wilderness, tells the true story of First Lieutenant Leon Crane
who parachuted out of his doomed plane over the frozen landscape of Alaska in 1943. He and his crew of "Cold Nose Boys" (military fliers) were performing a routine test of a B-24 bomber when the plane spun out of control and headed straight down. Crane was able to parachute out, but the fates of the other crewmen was unknown to him. The plane burst into flames upon impact as Crane watched from his own landing area several miles away.
Realizing he had been off course and unable to radio their position, Crane begins walking, regretting that he had pulled off his gloves on board the aircraft. At temperatures ranging from -20 to -50 degrees, frostbite immediately became his first real problem.
Armed with the parachute for warmth and a few matches, Crane follows the frozen river, drinking the seeping water at the edges before it freezes, but unable to find any food. He is completely lost, but feels that following a river might bring him to people, even if they are by his estimate, over 100 miles away. How long can he survive without food, sub-zero temperatures, and no assistance?
What follows is the gripping and challenging story of Crane's plodding hike, his encounters with death, and his narrow escapes that make him wiser for the next obstacle faced. All this is set in an environment where the temperature rarely gets above -20 degrees.
Besides Crane's struggles, Author Murphy describes the history of the Alaskan area of the crash, including the gold rush as well the true purpose of the armed forces stationed there (preparing in 1944 for a major invasion of Japan). Using records, letters, and news articles, Murphy ably describes the feelings of the Ladd Air Base as well as the strength of the families of the lost airmen in their dogged determination to locate these men.
Crane's will, his cleverness, and his determination give us ordinary people the hope that we too, like him, could at least try to calmly, rationally overcome the terrible hand he has been dealt.
Read it in front of a fire, covered with a blanket and a cup of hot tea in your hand. You will still be shivering, guaranteed.
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Paulsen, Gary. Hatchet
Teenage city boy crash lands in the wilds of Canada and must learn how to survive in the wilderness. See also the Hatchet sequels, especially Brian's Winter.
Weir, Andy. The Martian
One astronaut, blown away and by a Martian storm, is left behind on Mars and presumed dead. But he isn't and must figure out how to survive, communicate with NASA and his crew, and ultimately escape. Not easy tasks, but he is resourceful in the face of overwhelming odds. Fantastic. (previously reviewed here)
Philbrick, Natianiel. In the Heart of the Sea
True story of the Essex, the nineteenth century whaling boat that was rammed and sunk by a whale, sending its surviving crew into three longboats to attempt to sail 3,000 miles to the nearest port. (previously reviewed here)
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