Review by sarahlaks -- The Altitude Journals
-
sarahlaks
- Posts: 26
- Joined: 16 Dec 2019, 22:29
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 4
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sarahlaks.html
- Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Review by sarahlaks -- The Altitude Journals
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
This is an eloquently detailed account of an ordinary man achieving extraordinary physical feats and the lessons he learns along the way. Dave Mauro never wanted to be a mountain climber but after life left him feeling broken, an unmistakable but mysterious force drew him to each of the world’s seven highest mountain summits and set him on the path to emotional and mental healing. The Altitude Journals is a gripping and uplifting tale of Dave’s struggles with life and how he learns to overcome them through the analogy of pushing himself to his physical limits while climbing tens of thousands of feet above sea level.
I rate this book a three out of four. Having been written by Dave Mauro himself, it has the feel and intimacy of an exceptionally well edited personal memoir or letter to a friend. Knowing this makes the discussion of his internal struggles that much more poignant. It was how he discussed his motivation to climb each mountain that caused me to withhold a higher rating, I go into more detail with this below as it is also my most disliked aspect of this book.
What I liked most about this book is his storytelling right as he nears the top of each summit. While it may sound boring, it is told in such excellent detail that you can visualize his surroundings and imagine the burning muscles, numb fingers, and overwhelming fatigue as well as if you were right alongside him. You will find yourself cheering him on and rejoicing with him as he reaches his destination.
What I disliked most is his description of the urge that brought him to climb each mountain in the first place. While it is understandable that often in life and especially in instances like these it is hard to pinpoint our exact motivations for our actions, that said the vague nature that he surrounds the ‘voice’ that draws him to climb mountains for me undercuts its meaningfulness. I felt that the inconsistency of identifying his motivation as a distinctive voice then leaving it there, not identifying the voice as a higher power or a voice from within left his journey feeling slightly empty at its conclusion. The reader is still uncertain of what guided the journey in the first place so there is an ambiguity surrounding his growth.
I would recommend for people with interest in mountain climbing and extreme hiking as well as those looking for something fresh to read, it definitely has appeal for non-climbers as well. I was pleasantly surprised by how intriguing and gripping this book was, as I am not a mountain climber myself. But even if you can’t necessarily relate to his physical experiences, you can to the insecurities and emotional issues that he must face and conquer.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
This is an eloquently detailed account of an ordinary man achieving extraordinary physical feats and the lessons he learns along the way. Dave Mauro never wanted to be a mountain climber but after life left him feeling broken, an unmistakable but mysterious force drew him to each of the world’s seven highest mountain summits and set him on the path to emotional and mental healing. The Altitude Journals is a gripping and uplifting tale of Dave’s struggles with life and how he learns to overcome them through the analogy of pushing himself to his physical limits while climbing tens of thousands of feet above sea level.
I rate this book a three out of four. Having been written by Dave Mauro himself, it has the feel and intimacy of an exceptionally well edited personal memoir or letter to a friend. Knowing this makes the discussion of his internal struggles that much more poignant. It was how he discussed his motivation to climb each mountain that caused me to withhold a higher rating, I go into more detail with this below as it is also my most disliked aspect of this book.
What I liked most about this book is his storytelling right as he nears the top of each summit. While it may sound boring, it is told in such excellent detail that you can visualize his surroundings and imagine the burning muscles, numb fingers, and overwhelming fatigue as well as if you were right alongside him. You will find yourself cheering him on and rejoicing with him as he reaches his destination.
What I disliked most is his description of the urge that brought him to climb each mountain in the first place. While it is understandable that often in life and especially in instances like these it is hard to pinpoint our exact motivations for our actions, that said the vague nature that he surrounds the ‘voice’ that draws him to climb mountains for me undercuts its meaningfulness. I felt that the inconsistency of identifying his motivation as a distinctive voice then leaving it there, not identifying the voice as a higher power or a voice from within left his journey feeling slightly empty at its conclusion. The reader is still uncertain of what guided the journey in the first place so there is an ambiguity surrounding his growth.
I would recommend for people with interest in mountain climbing and extreme hiking as well as those looking for something fresh to read, it definitely has appeal for non-climbers as well. I was pleasantly surprised by how intriguing and gripping this book was, as I am not a mountain climber myself. But even if you can’t necessarily relate to his physical experiences, you can to the insecurities and emotional issues that he must face and conquer.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
