Laurence Gonzales
Laurence Gonzales: A Life of Adventure, Discovery, and Enduring Spirit
Full Name and Common Aliases
Laurence Gonzales is a renowned American author, aviator, and adventurer. He was born as Lawrence Edward Gonzales.
Birth and Death Dates
Gonzales was born on November 15, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois. Unfortunately, his passing date remains unknown to the public.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Laurence Gonzales is an American author and aviator by profession.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family that valued education, Laurence Gonzales was encouraged from an early age to explore the world around him. His parents, both of whom were avid readers, instilled in him a love for literature and learning. Gonzales's passion for adventure and exploration began when he learned to fly at the tender age of 17.
Major Accomplishments
Gonzales's life has been marked by numerous accomplishments that demonstrate his exceptional skills as an aviator and author. Some of his notable achievements include:
He is a decorated veteran of the United States Air Force, where he flew combat missions during the Vietnam War. Gonzales's experiences in the military have had a profound impact on his writing.
In 1972, he won the prestigious Robert E. Howard Award for Best Short Story for "The Night Crew." This achievement marked the beginning of his successful writing career.
Gonzales is also a seasoned aviator with thousands of hours of flight experience under his belt. He has flown various types of aircraft, including commercial airliners and military jets.
Notable Works or Actions
Some of Gonzales's notable works include:
"Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why When Planes Go Down in the Wilderness" (2003): This book explores the psychology of survival and examines the decision-making processes of individuals facing life-threatening situations.
"Surviving Survival: The Art and Science of Resilience" (2011): In this work, Gonzales delves deeper into the concept of resilience and provides insights on how to develop it in oneself.
Gonzales has also contributed articles and essays to various publications, including The New York Times, Harper's Magazine, and Outside.
Impact and Legacy
Laurence Gonzales's impact on his field is undeniable. His unique blend of expertise as an aviator and author has enabled him to produce works that are both informative and engaging. Through his writing, he has inspired countless individuals to reevaluate their understanding of survival and resilience.
Gonzales's legacy extends beyond his literary contributions. He continues to be a sought-after speaker on topics related to survival, decision-making, and leadership. His ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible manner has made him a respected authority in his field.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Laurence Gonzales is widely quoted and remembered for several reasons:
His exceptional writing skills have enabled him to produce works that are both informative and engaging, making him a sought-after author and speaker. His experiences as an aviator and military veteran have provided valuable insights into the psychology of survival and decision-making.
Gonzales's commitment to sharing his knowledge with others has made a significant impact on his field. His ability to convey complex ideas in an accessible manner has earned him a reputation as a leading authority on topics related to survival, resilience, and leadership.
Overall, Laurence Gonzales is a remarkable individual whose life has been marked by adventure, discovery, and enduring spirit.
Quotes by Laurence Gonzales
In the immediate aftermath of the crash, a young police officer named Pat McCann, who happened to be training at the airport that day, saw a man who had managed to get the upper half of his body through his window before the lower half was incinerated inside the plane.
Finally, I will never forget stopping near a lovely young girl still strapped to her seat, breathing slightly. Her blouse was white, her slacks were blue. At the end of the trousers were two snow-white ankle bones where her feet used to be. I had never seen the whiteness of bones that are freshly exposed like that.
But what is the way forward? I know what it isn’t. It’s not, as we once believed, plenty to eat and a home with all the modern conveniences. It’s not a 2,000-mile-long wall to keep Mexicans out or more accurate weapons to kill them. It’s not a better low-fat meal or a faster computer speed. It’s not a deodorant, a car, a soft drink, a skin cream. The way forward is found on a path through the wilderness of the head and heart – reason and emotion. Thinking, knowing, understanding.
To lose everything at such a glorious eternity is far sweeter than to win by plodding through a cautious, painless, featureless life.
Palmer had reached the field so fast that not all of the mortally wounded had died. “That’s one of the problems we had,” he said. “We were sitting there waiting for it, so they didn’t have that time to die.” For example, Palmer came upon a man who was lying on the runway. “He basically had both legs and both arms amputated. He asked me, ‘Am I gonna live?’ ” Palmer told him, “We’re gonna do what we can for you,” but he knew that he could not save the man.
He passed the dead in all their ranks, in all their spectral attitudes. Some lay supine, mouths open in attitudes of near ecstasy, one upon the next, embracing. Some had bowed their heads as if in deep meditation or prayer. Others had been ground to pulp against the concrete and conveyed no expression at all.
As he walked along the runway, he came upon a United Airlines pilot. “He tried to sit up,” Martz said. “I saw a huge triangular hole in his forehead and I told him to just lie still and that help was on the way, but it was too late for him.
He listened to a fire fighter tell of a woman he had found strapped into her seat, screaming. When he cut the seat belt, she fell apart. She was being held together by the seat belt. She died at his feet.
Whether a deity is actually listening or not, there is value in formally announcing your needs, desires, worries, sins, and goals in a focused, prayerful attitude. Only when you are aware can you take action.