Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Review/Giveaway: Hearts of Courage

A WINNING READINGS GIVEAWAY!

Title: Hearts of Courage: The Gillam plane crash and the amazing true story of survival in the frozen wilderness of Alaska
Author: John M. Tippets
Genre: Nonfiction - aviation history
How to enter: Leave a comment on THIS post right here! If you're a subscriber or a follower, leave a second comment for a second entry.
Entry deadline: February 10, 2010
Restrictions: Open internationally!

That's right, enter right here for this autographed giveaway. This is my review copy, so it has been gently read.


---------------
As a kid, I dreamed of living on a remote British Columbia island, being a doctor and using my own seaplane to get to patients.

While this true story happened a little further north, its characters probably shared some of same love of adventure.

Hearts of Courage is written by John M. Tippets, son of the main characters in the story. This full-color 144-page paperback has a list price of $19.95. You can find more information about the book at http://www.johntippets.com/.

Here's a synopsis from the book's website: "The events of January and February 1943 were central in the lives of Joe and Alta Tippets. The 'Gillam Crash' of the Morrison-Knudsen Electra, on which Joe was a passenger, was well known to aviators in Alaska. Harold Gillam was a celebrated bush pilot. The challenging winter of ’42-’43 was described as the coldest recorded in thirty years, and the inspiring accounts written by the survivors have stirred the hearts of many. It is a true Alaska adventure story—a struggle against all odds to overcome the wilderness and ultimately find rescue."

And a bit about the author: John Tippets is a proud Alaskan, born in Providence Hospital at Anchorage in 1941. His early years were spent in Alaska and the Washington, D.C. area, where his Dad worked for the government. After two years serving as a church missionary in Eastern Canada, he received his Bachelor’s and MBA degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles. Always interested in aviation, John checked bags for United Airlines, then worked summer jobs with the FAA in Alaska and the CAB in Washington, D.C., beginning his career with American Airlines as a part-timer in air freight while still in college. He retired from his position as President & CEO of the American Airlines Federal Credit Union in 2008.

Here's the storyline: Joe Tippets was one of six people aboard the Lockheed Electra 10-B flying from Seattle to Anchorage in January 1943. Weather conditions and a lost engine contributed to a crash in rugged Alaskan terrain. All onboard survived the crash, but one passenger died later due to injuries, while the pilot died in his search for a way out. Somehow the others surved a month of harsh conditions with little food. Two of the remaining passengers, including Joe, managed to make it to a remote beach where they were miraculously rescued. They then led a rescue team to the last two passengers - 33 days after the crash.

The writing of the book, while in first person format, is rather dry and factual. This actually serves to let the amazing story itself shine through. Full of photos that allow the reader to visualize the events, the book also testifies of Joe's relationship with God, and his wife's unwavering faith that he would be okay.

Interestingly, the character I connected with most was young Susan Baxter, who died a couple of days after the crash due to her injuries. The sole female on the flight, she remained uncomplaining and sweet through the duration, even though she must have been in terrible pain. It makes me wonder how I would handle being in a similar situation.

A great read, especially for anyone interested in Alaskan and aviation history.

Thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Promotion for the review copy of this book.

66 comments:

Cheryl said...

Thanks for the review of John's book. As the son of one of the survivors, I think John told the story in a way that only he could.

Hearts of Courage is an amazing book of survival, faith, and prayers answered. I am so glad to have had a part in helping to promote it.

Thanks again.

Cheryl

www.pumpupyourbook.com

Annette W. said...

First, this is not a book that I would typically read...yet, I think this will be an amazing book. I appreciate how you said that the story shines through. The emotions must have been tough writing it...

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

Sounds like an amazing story! Please enter me.
ludeluh(at)yahoo(dot)com

FlyFreeMyBooks said...

I am also a follower.
ludeluh(at)yahoo(dot)com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

A wonderful review and a super book I am sure.
I would love to win this book.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I am a email subscriber and a google reader follower.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

ann said...

well, maybe you'll get your own seaplane one of these days... sounds like a serious and good book.

409cope said...

This sounds like a book I would really love. cardshark42(at)hotmail(dot)com

apple blossom said...

I'd love to be entered in this book drawing. Thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Ticia said...

My father-in-law would love this!

Benita said...

Judging by the review, this will probably be a fabulous book. I'd love to read it.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.

GFC follower.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

wmmahaney said...

I would love to win this. I am addicted to reading any book based in Alaska.
wmmahaney(at)att(dot)net

wmmahaney said...

I subscribe in Google Reader
wmmahaney(at)Att(dot)net

Sandy Jay said...

This sounds very interesting. Please count me in.

forwhlz at gmail dot com

buddyt said...

I have never heard of this crash but I generally enjoy reading of people overcoming great obstacles so please netr me in the giveaway.
Thank you.

Carol


buddytho{at} gmail DOT com

buddyt said...

I am a Follower via Google.

Carol

buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I would love to be entered in your draw. Thanks.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower of your blog.
wandanamgreb(at)gmail(dot)com

Timster said...

I think this will be an amazing book.

ann said...

a second comment

Anonymous said...

I think my great uncle would enjoy this book. Please count me in.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I follow with google reader.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Margie said...

This sounds like a fascinating book. Thanks for the giveaway.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Margie said...

-blog follower
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

Cheryl B said...

Please count me in.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheryl B said...

I'm an email subscriber.
cln1812(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Please enter me. I would LOVE to win this book for my dad--he enjoys adventure/survival books like this. Thanks for the review!
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I'm a follower.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

mverno said...

sounds like a very dramatic and edge of the seat reading
mverno@roadrunner.com

mverno said...

i follow ( mverno) mverno@roadrunner.com

Anonymous said...

this looks like a great sit by the fire book,,thx for the contest..
thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

esldiane@gmail.com said...

It sounds like a great book.
diane Baum
esldiane@gmail.com

abfantom said...

I would love to read this book. Please enter me in the giveaway.

abfantom at yahoo dot com

Chip said...

Glad that I get to be sitting next to a nice toasty fire when I read this.

chipdip2010(at)hotmail(dot)com

avalonne83 said...

Please count me in. Thanks.

avalonne83 [at] yahoo [dot] it

deb c said...

I would love to read this book. It sounds like true courage and survival.

Unknown said...

I read a lot and would love to read this one soon.

rugerpuppies at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I would love to read this book.

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

I subscribed.

lex.redding@yahoo.com

Valerie Taylor Mabrey said...

I love to read count me in

Jennifer Wilson said...

I'd love to read this. Love survival type books.

jenndiggy at gmail dot com

Linda said...

A great hubby book! Please enter me!

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

Just added myself to your email newsletter.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Linda said...

I follow by Google reader.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Bcteagirl said...

I love stories of survival, please count me in! Thanks for all the great contests!

teagirl1 at telus dot net

Bcteagirl said...

I follow via google friend connect!

teagirl1 at telus dot net

Renee G said...

I would absolutely love to read this.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(DOT)com

minishoes1 said...

I would love to read this! My mom and sisters would too. Thanks! jacquecurl1(at)gmail(dot)com

Nancye said...

This sounds like an interesting book. Thanks for the chance.

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

erma said...

Sounds lik a great book.
erma.hurtt@sbcglobal.net

Christina said...

Christina - xristya@rock.com - I love stories of courage, because under pressure so many of us break or bend. You reviewed this book beautifully!

Anonymous said...

This is exactly the type of books I really like to read. True stories of heroic deeds.







Bshaw75015@aol.com

Nickolay said...

Another great book. Thanks for the chance

jason(at)allworldautomotive(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I especially love nonfiction!

theyyyguy@yahoo.com

Tinyblessing said...

My hubby would like this book!
lil.blessing at gmail dot com

Maja said...

sounds great

Maja said...

follower

Heather Y said...

Thanks for hosting a great giveaway! This looks like a great read for a warm day...

heather y
click4cash4me@gmail.com

Heather Y said...

I'm a subscriber as well... thanks!

heather
click4cash4me@gmail.com

Betty C said...

Please enter me. It sounds very interesting.

Nancy S. said...

This sounds like an amazing story that I would like to read.
ncschools at yahoo dot com

Nancy S. said...

I follow your blog with google friend.

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I would love to read: Hearts Of Courage!
marcy
zestywonderland@gmail.com

ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I subscribe & follow!
marcy
zestywonderland@gmail.com