Wager with the Wind: The Don Sheldon Story by James Greiner Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Wager with the Wind: The Don Sheldon Story
Book Review: A very compelling book if you enjoy Alaska aviation.
Summary: 4 Stars
I have personally visited Talkeetna(the town of Don Sheldon's home) during my tenure on the US Army's High Altitude Rescue Team(79-82) as well as the places described in the book, including the landing sights on Mt. McKinley where Mr. Sheldon conducted his various climbing operations. The book is an insight to what a bush pilot had to endure in order to accomplish the flights in the harsh Alaskan environment. There are several examples of humorous incidents such as the rather large lady Mr. Sheldon rescued as well as the horrific crashes he miraculously survived. Mr. Sheldon help pave the way for other bush pilots through his common-sense approach to flying, while at the same time having an extremely high respect for the Alaskan wilderness. Mr. Grenier done an excellent job in exposing the aviation legend for which the skill of all bush pilots are measured. This book also looks inside Mr. Sheldon's personal life with his wife and children, as well as the personal relationships he had with his fellow pilots, the Alaskan climbing community, the US Government and his friends. His compassion for life and his commitment to his family elevated him to an icon status as a symbol of what Alaska was all about during his life. I have read this book more than a dozen times because it is an example of what a person should strive to accomplish in the short period of time that each of us have on this earth. I will again read this book with the same amazment I had the first time I opened the cover.Book Review: A must read if you are a pilot or mountain climbing fan.
Summary: 5 Stars
I must have stumbled into this book 20 years ago, and loved it, recommended it and gave it as gifts. I had a in-active pilots license then. I purchased a plane and started flying again, 10 years ago. I re-read it, loved it , recommended it and gave it as gifts. Because of this "bush" flying, I changed planes and started doing this type of "off-airport" flying. My wife ( flying is not her bag) read it this spring and suggested that we fly our little two seater to Talkeena from Ohio, and make a three week vacation there. We just got back, and I've ordered 6 more books for gifts. We got to meet Don's wife and grand daughter, and landed and camped beside his old Aeronca sedan that he used in the famous river canyon rescue. Read this book, it might change your life.