In 1926, two years after the plane crash death of his best friend, John Robert Shaw attempted a solo flight record in a refitted Curtiss Jenny, sponsored by a Miami newspaper. On April 23, 1926, half of the journey was completed. On April 27, his plane was caught in a storm, went down, and for seventeen years he was missing, presumed dead. This is his story. In The Longest Winter, Julie Harris has crafted a wonderful fictional biography of John Robert Shaw's life. His story is one of despair and courage, tragedy and triumph. Stranded on an uncharted rocky island, his body broken by the crash of his airplane, John Robert is adopted into a tribe of Eskimos. In this amazing tale, Julie Harris has done a remarkable job in capturing the Native American culture and one man's struggle to retain his sanity in a harsh, heartless environment.

It is in this desolate landscape and among these "primitive" people that he discovers the true meaning of life, love, and courage.