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Crazy for the Storm

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Crazy for the Storm

By: Norman Ollestad
Narrated by: Norman Ollestad
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About this listen

 From the age of three, Norman Ollestad was thrust into the world of surfing and competitive downhill skiing by the intense, charismatic father he both idolized and resented. While his friends were riding bikes, playing ball, and going to birthday parties, young Norman was whisked away in pursuit of wild and demanding adventures. Yet it were these exhilarating tests of skill that prepared "Boy Wonder," as his father called him, to become a fearless champion - and ultimately saved his life.

Flying to a ski championship ceremony in February 1979, the chartered Cessna carrying Norman, his father, his father's girlfriend, and the pilot crashed into the San Gabriel Mountains and was suspended at 8,200 feet, engulfed in a blizzard. "Dad and I were a team, and he was Superman," Ollestad writes. But now Norman's father was dead, and the devastated 11-year-old had to descend the treacherous, icy mountain alone.

Set amid the spontaneous, uninhibited surf culture of Malibu and Mexico in the late 1970s, this riveting memoir, written in crisp Hemingwayesque prose, recalls Ollestad's childhood and the magnetic man whose determination and love infuriated and inspired him - and also taught him to overcome the indomitable. As it illuminates the complicated bond between an extraordinary father and his son, Ollestad's powerful and unforgettable true story offers remarkable insight for us all

©2009 Norman Ollestad (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Water Sports Sports Winter Sports Inspiring

Editorial reviews

Ollestad's memoir opens with his recollection of being in a plane crash in California's Sierra Madre mountains at the age of 11. With the others in the plane dead, including his father, Ollestad had to find his way down from the stormy, icy mountains alone. The author speaks in a voice jerky and unsure of itself, portraying himself as the whiny boy he once was, but without imitating him. In humble sentences and abrupt dialogue he recounts the profound emotional lessons gleaned from enviable, yet infuriating, bonding experiences with his dad. Ollestad re-creates the characters who molded his youth, narrating in but a single voice, but crafting ardent personalities with inflection and rhythm.
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This is a captivating story, fantastically written and narrated. It’s hard to believe Ollestad’s age when going through this ordeal given the maturity and determination required to just keep going. Absolutely a worthwhile read.

I only gave three stars for Performance as I found the random inclusions of music to be distracting and disconnected.

A gripping story of strength, and self actualisation.

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Very nicely told. A good book for fathers that aspire to raise boys into confident young adults.

Great story

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Words can’t describe the many emotions I felt listening to Norman’s story. I listened while hiking, while cooking, and finally just laying on the bed the last 4 hours transfixed. I was so caught up in the masterful story telling. Knowing it was actually the narrators life made it so much more compelling and emotional. Norman is a beautiful and insightful writer. Gifted. I can’t imagine going through all he did, especially surviving the way he did that day…
I wish I knew him…and his dad. Thank you for sharing this with us all Norman. Your courage and resilience and your fathers way of seeing beauty everywhere will live on in millions of hearts as it does mine.

Transfixed - finished it in 2 days!

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