MWSA Book Review

Touching the Ancient One

Author:  Rupert Pratt

Publisher:  Wheatmark

Reviewer: Bill McDonald – President of the MWSA

A True Story of Survival and Friendship

This book “Touching the Ancient One – a True Story of Tragedy and Reunion” could have been a very good book had the author Rupert Pratt just written about the crash, the survival and the rescue. However, he exceeds the ordinary telling of a tragic story and takes us into the present time for a reunion and follow-up on those who were touched by the events of February 5, 1954; and that makes for an outstanding book!

The event that brings all these lives together was a crash of an Air Force C-47 into a desolate mountain region of Alaska where six people miraculously escaped death and survived in freezing weather. The story is not just about the survivors but also those who come to rescue them. The glue that makes this story so interesting is the power of Pratt’s writing. He takes the reader with him through his words and memories and creates an exciting true tale; it is brilliantly done and conceived.

This is truly one great book. This story is not just about a crash, it is about people. It is about how their reunion 42 years after the crash and the rescue, changes all of their lives once again. It is a most unusual life experience and one that the reader gets to share in an emotional sense. This is an epic story which has all the elements of what would make a great movie plot. It is entertaining, thoughtful, and almost spiritual in some ways.

A must read book! The MWSA gives this book FIVE STARS. It also receives this reviewer’s personal endorsement!

MWSA's 2006 Silver Medal Award for Biographies

Reviewer: Joe Fabel – MWSA Review Board

Nothing bonds individuals to one another as does tragedy. This is a story of an airplane crashing in Alaska. The ordeal of discovering some died in the crash as well as the fright of facing the severe elements while awaiting rescue caused deep personal and mental wounds.

The author tells his story from the viewpoint of survivor of the crash. The heroic rescue scenes, the suffering of recovery from injuries and the bonding of friendships are all portrayed as they actually took place.

After many years apart, the thought of a reunion of the survivors enters the author’s mind. Would others still be alive? Would they be interested in getting together? Is this desire to reacquaint solely his?

Eventually all of those who were rescued along with the rescuers gathered together to talk about their shared adventure. This encouraged more reunions as well as visits to the crash site to establish a memorial to those who didn’t survive.

Yes, tragedy possesses a unique bonding quality, one which brings out a depth of concern and respect for the participants. This is a story of courage as well as of respect.