Review by Renu G -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Posted: 07 Apr 2019, 04:13
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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The Altitude Journals is a memoir written by David J. Mauro. He shares his seven-year journey from ground zero to the peak of Mount Everest. During this period, he displays immense courage, determination, and resilience. One is filled with admiration for the climbers as they scale several mountains in their lives. They have a great team spirit that helps them to withstand every challenge along the way as they move forward step by step.
Mauro was enduring a hard time. Just when he and Jenny were reaching the end of their marriage, he got a call from Ty to climb a mountain for his documentary film. They required non-climbers to add new perspectives. On his forty-fourth birthday, he reluctantly agreed to join the group. Acclimatization to various levels of the climb was very difficult, but he managed to pull himself through it all. During the following years, he scaled the summit of every continent: Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, Carstensz Pyramid, and finally Everest. Lin’s love lifted him to the top of the planet. They remain a permanently engaged couple.
As a child, he belonged to a poor family, and his mother always said they were special. He never stopped believing it. In 453 pages, the author describes the details of every journey. They have spiritual depth and height. They contain photographs that bring alive their experiences. The moments of sickness, as well as the news of climbers who die along the way, are very discouraging. I most disliked this part of the story. However, Mauro takes it all in his stride. He describes his auditory hallucinations (which are common at the heights). One of them is about his brother Danny saying, “I think you’re gonna make it.” There are times when hurtful memories flood his mind like demons trying to break him. “Where mountains are so often metaphors of life, my life became a metaphor of this mountain,” he writes. Despite his achievements, he does not believe in himself. He plans “not” to attain the summit. Yet, he always maintains his commitment to the team.
I remember my own experiences in climbing mountains with family and friends. I had to invariably climb a horse or take a lift halfway through. They always said it is the mountain that “calls” you to climb it. I was pleasantly surprised to read the author sharing the same thoughts.
The countdown before the author and his companions reach every peak is amazing. Finally, he reaches the snowy peak of Everest. “I have nothing left to climb,” he thinks. This is an awe-inspiring moment. It brings tears to one’s eyes. It is what I liked most. The journey takes him from the lowest point in his life to the highest! Mauro learns that one does not come to believe in oneself by climbing mountains, but by facing one’s problems. It is by forgiving and finding joy in climbing.
This book demonstrates how encouragement and team spirit enable one to face one’s own mountains joyfully. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. It has been edited by several persons as mentioned by the author. I found only one typo. It is an excellent memoir, and I recommend it to people of all age groups. Mountain climbers, youth, and couples will especially enjoy reading it.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Altitude Journals is a memoir written by David J. Mauro. He shares his seven-year journey from ground zero to the peak of Mount Everest. During this period, he displays immense courage, determination, and resilience. One is filled with admiration for the climbers as they scale several mountains in their lives. They have a great team spirit that helps them to withstand every challenge along the way as they move forward step by step.
Mauro was enduring a hard time. Just when he and Jenny were reaching the end of their marriage, he got a call from Ty to climb a mountain for his documentary film. They required non-climbers to add new perspectives. On his forty-fourth birthday, he reluctantly agreed to join the group. Acclimatization to various levels of the climb was very difficult, but he managed to pull himself through it all. During the following years, he scaled the summit of every continent: Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, Carstensz Pyramid, and finally Everest. Lin’s love lifted him to the top of the planet. They remain a permanently engaged couple.
As a child, he belonged to a poor family, and his mother always said they were special. He never stopped believing it. In 453 pages, the author describes the details of every journey. They have spiritual depth and height. They contain photographs that bring alive their experiences. The moments of sickness, as well as the news of climbers who die along the way, are very discouraging. I most disliked this part of the story. However, Mauro takes it all in his stride. He describes his auditory hallucinations (which are common at the heights). One of them is about his brother Danny saying, “I think you’re gonna make it.” There are times when hurtful memories flood his mind like demons trying to break him. “Where mountains are so often metaphors of life, my life became a metaphor of this mountain,” he writes. Despite his achievements, he does not believe in himself. He plans “not” to attain the summit. Yet, he always maintains his commitment to the team.
I remember my own experiences in climbing mountains with family and friends. I had to invariably climb a horse or take a lift halfway through. They always said it is the mountain that “calls” you to climb it. I was pleasantly surprised to read the author sharing the same thoughts.
The countdown before the author and his companions reach every peak is amazing. Finally, he reaches the snowy peak of Everest. “I have nothing left to climb,” he thinks. This is an awe-inspiring moment. It brings tears to one’s eyes. It is what I liked most. The journey takes him from the lowest point in his life to the highest! Mauro learns that one does not come to believe in oneself by climbing mountains, but by facing one’s problems. It is by forgiving and finding joy in climbing.
This book demonstrates how encouragement and team spirit enable one to face one’s own mountains joyfully. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars. It has been edited by several persons as mentioned by the author. I found only one typo. It is an excellent memoir, and I recommend it to people of all age groups. Mountain climbers, youth, and couples will especially enjoy reading it.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Renu G's review? Post a comment saying so!