Review by katejtb -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Posted: 21 Jan 2020, 18:51
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
The Altitude Journals , by David J. Mauro, chronicles his journey from an amateur climber to the conqueror of the Seven Summits. Recently divorced, David Mauro agrees to join his brother-in-law as an amateur member of a documentary team climbing Denali. Despite the pain and repeated discouragements, Mauro finds the inner strength to overcome not only physical struggles but also to combat his inner demons. Summiting Denali gives him the courage and capability to tackle his next great mountain: online dating. The encouragement of a relationship match paired with an innate need to face and conquer his inner demons, Mauro goes on to climb the Seven Summits - and find romantic success. Combining descriptions of mountaineering and anecdotes about starting over in the wake of divorce, David J. Mauro’s The Altitude Journals is a gripping narrative about tenacity and perseverance, even when it seems impossible.
This was an excellent read. Though I am not usually drawn to personal histories or autobiographies, the personal aspect of Mauro’s struggles with divorce and finding love again played well off the imagery of conquering each additional summit. Additionally, though I began this book knowing nothing about mountain climbing, Mauro’s explanations and descriptions made the process clear to the point where a complete amateur is able to follow along.
However, no read is without failings; Mauro’s book fails at times to step outside the lens of an American male when viewing other cultures and customs, and therefore occasionally comes off as insensitive. One instance was when he remarked, “I noted that the [Russian] people had been quite stoic. This, I reasoned, was perhaps the consequence of being children of people that had little to smile about.” Regardless of small occurrences such as these, other commentary as to the scenery and architecture of the countries Mauro visits gives the reader a clear picture that makes the book easy to imagine and to follow.
I would recommend this book to ages 16 and up due to language and narrative content. Though the narrative content is not inappropriate for younger readers (aside from language), it would likely not be interesting to an audience in that age group. That being said, I would especially recommend this book to readers with an interest in mountaineering, underdog stories, personal narratives, and autobiographies. I would also recommend this book to someone interested in a hopeful story that also provides an educational opportunity about travel and mountain climbing.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because the imagery, thorough explanations, and content make the reader feel present throughout the narrative.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The Altitude Journals , by David J. Mauro, chronicles his journey from an amateur climber to the conqueror of the Seven Summits. Recently divorced, David Mauro agrees to join his brother-in-law as an amateur member of a documentary team climbing Denali. Despite the pain and repeated discouragements, Mauro finds the inner strength to overcome not only physical struggles but also to combat his inner demons. Summiting Denali gives him the courage and capability to tackle his next great mountain: online dating. The encouragement of a relationship match paired with an innate need to face and conquer his inner demons, Mauro goes on to climb the Seven Summits - and find romantic success. Combining descriptions of mountaineering and anecdotes about starting over in the wake of divorce, David J. Mauro’s The Altitude Journals is a gripping narrative about tenacity and perseverance, even when it seems impossible.
This was an excellent read. Though I am not usually drawn to personal histories or autobiographies, the personal aspect of Mauro’s struggles with divorce and finding love again played well off the imagery of conquering each additional summit. Additionally, though I began this book knowing nothing about mountain climbing, Mauro’s explanations and descriptions made the process clear to the point where a complete amateur is able to follow along.
However, no read is without failings; Mauro’s book fails at times to step outside the lens of an American male when viewing other cultures and customs, and therefore occasionally comes off as insensitive. One instance was when he remarked, “I noted that the [Russian] people had been quite stoic. This, I reasoned, was perhaps the consequence of being children of people that had little to smile about.” Regardless of small occurrences such as these, other commentary as to the scenery and architecture of the countries Mauro visits gives the reader a clear picture that makes the book easy to imagine and to follow.
I would recommend this book to ages 16 and up due to language and narrative content. Though the narrative content is not inappropriate for younger readers (aside from language), it would likely not be interesting to an audience in that age group. That being said, I would especially recommend this book to readers with an interest in mountaineering, underdog stories, personal narratives, and autobiographies. I would also recommend this book to someone interested in a hopeful story that also provides an educational opportunity about travel and mountain climbing.
I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because the imagery, thorough explanations, and content make the reader feel present throughout the narrative.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon