My mother just read this book ,she could not put it down. Turns out Eric Vogel is my Next door neighbour . He is currently a fire fighter as well as he does charity work , he builds schools for children in Africa. My mother's new paper is going to write a review on this book it has taken our little city by storm. I cant wait to read it !

Very well written. Loved every minute of it. I feel so much for all four that survived. This book reminds me to be thankful. I strongly suggest this book to all.

This book should be on the reading list of every aviation college student in Canada. Working conditions for young pilots in Canada's north haven't changed much in over 25 years. Unless a rookie pilot's daddy works for [a major airline] his first job is going to be flying a floatplane up in Pickle Lake and de-icing it with a bucket and a mop. Author Shaben captures that part of the story perfectly through the eyes of Erik Vogel, the pilot of the accident aircraft. If your son or daughter is considering a career as a pilot, and you'd rather they studied business or law, then you should definitely buy this book and put it under the tree for Christmas. I bought Shaben's book on impulse. The picture on the book's dust jacket triggered my PTSD and caused me to pay list price. When I was captain of a Piper Cheyenne up north in 1988-89 I used to look out my window at those same trees covered with snow. I'd then glance inside the cockpit at the OAT gauge (outside air temp) that read -40C and then look down at the company-issued uniform I was wearing -- thin polyester slacks and dress shoes. I wouldn't have lasted twenty minutes. The four guys in Shaben's book lasted all night due to the efforts of Paul Archambault. It's a good story. It has a human element that will doubtless appeal to the Creative Writing, wine-and-cheese crowd (and, of course, put the book on an awards shortlist) but there is also a well researched "flying" story here that will appeal to the aviation geeks out there. Author Carol Shaben did a good job.

Story Description: On an icy night in October 1984, a Piper Navajo commuter plane carrying 9 passengers crashed in the remote wilderness of northern Alberta, killing 6 people. Four survived: the rookie pilot, a prominent politician, a cop, and the criminal he was escorting to face charges. Despite the poor weather, Erik Vogel, the 24-year-old pilot, was under intense pressure to fly – a situation not uncommon to pilots working for small airlines. Overworked and exhausted, he feared losing his job if he refused to fly. Larry Shaben, the author’s father and Canada’s first Muslim Cabinet Minister, was commuting home after a busy week at the Alberta Legislature. After Paul Archambault, a drifter wanted on an outstanding warrant, boarded the plane, rookie Constable Scott Deschamps decided, against RCMP regulations, to remove his handcuffs – a decision that profoundly impacted the men’s survival. As they fought through the night to stay alive, the dividing lines of power, wealth and status were erased and each man was forced to confront the precious and limited nature of his existence. The survivors forged unlikely friendships and through them found strength and courage to rebuild their lives. Into the Abyss is a powerful narrative that combines in-depth reporting with sympathy and grace to explore how a single, tragic event can upset our assumptions and become a catalyst for transformation. My Review: Into the Abyss is the true account of a plane crash that occurred on October 19th, 1984 piloted by then twenty-four-year-old, Erik Vogel. Erik worked for Wapiti Airlines, a small outfit that flew daily flights around the Alberta area, over Great Slave Lake in Yellowknife and often had the same passengers each week. Erik was severely overworked, lacked sleep, and was pushed to his limits fearing he’d lose his job if he didn’t take all flights given to him. That fateful night was snowy and stormy with nine passengers on board and including Erik, made ten. A relatively new and young RCMP officer was on board that night escorting a criminal, Paul Archambault on an outstanding warrant. It is against RCMP regulations to remove a prisoner’s handcuffs during a flight but for whatever reason, RCMP Officer Scott Deschamps decided to remove those cuffs for the flight. After the plane crashed, not only did removing those cuffs most likely prevent Paul from having his hands amputated at the wrists, but turned his prisoner into a hero. The author of the book, Carol Shaben’s father, Larry was on that flight that night. He was a prominent Cabinet Minister with the Canadian government and one of only four survivors. Ms. Shaben’s writing is clear, concise and so powerfully written that you won’t be able to put the book down. Even at 311pages, I read it in one sitting with only tea breaks in between! Into the Abyss is a story I will be recommending to my friends and keeping as part of my permanent collection.

I was completely enthralled by this book! It was beautifully written and I couldn't put it down. I knew very little of this accident; but love stories of survival. A plane goes down in the north; in the middle of winter. 4 men survive and forge very unlikely friendships. For one day (the same length of time these men waited to be rescued) I read and read. There was no way I could stop. Thank you Ms Shaben for sharing your fathers journey. It is not one that I will soon forget.

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Into The Abyss. I absolutely loved it.. The bond formed by 4 strangers who survived a plane crash is remarkable. It takes place mainly in Alberta, so living here makes it more real. Also the fact that 2 of the passengers were very well know politicians makes for an interesting story. It is well written and very hard to put down once you start it.