Review by erikjr0369 -- The Altitude Journals
Posted: 30 Jul 2018, 09:45
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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“ Your ability to climb today’s mountain, is largely dependent in whether you found joy in climbing yesterdays.” We all have mountains in our lives that need to be climbed, whether they are physical or not. The Altitude Journals is all about life lessons, overcoming adversity, building relationships, and learning to listen to the universes call. While the author uses the seven summits and his absolutely historic feet of climbing them to emphasize his points, this book is about so much more. I give it 4 out of 4 stars.
At first glimpse this book would make the reader believe that it is about mountain climbing and the training, preparation, and actual act of climbing the seven summits. But it is about so much more. In the prologue the author gives some background about himself and his life. He covers how he grew up, and the struggles that he was dealing with before he made his first climb. Immediately the reader gets the feeling that this book will be less about mountain climbing and more about overcoming what life throws at you.
The climb up Denali was absolutely gripping. I couldn’t stop reading it. When the author talked about how the demons he had been avoiding came rushing to the surface during each step of the climb and the fight that occurred between him and the mountain I could feel for him. I could practically feel the excitement coming from the author when he talked about taking one more step closer to the summit but not admitting that he was there until he was actually on it and the sweet euphoria that came with reaching the top of his almost impossible goal. This chapter alone made me want to read the rest of the book.
Throughout the book the reader gets to experience the emotional highs and lows of the authors every day life. We get to go along with him as he meets the love of his life, grows closer to his children, and reconnects with an absent father. While he doesn’t go as in depth into the preparation for each of the other climbs, the author makes sure to emphasize the challenges faced and lessons learned. It’s a great example of how accepting and overcoming a physical challenge can lead to clarity and peace in the emotional challenges we face throughout our lives.
The author makes sure to share with the reader exactly what it was that made him feel like he should be climbing each of the mountains. A dream, a magazine ad, a drunken text, the desire to write, a moment on stage, a random thought and feeling. It was accepting these messages, seeing them for what they were, and having the courage to take action that led the author to the highest points in the world. Too often in this life we are presented with opportunities to change our lives for the better. Either through doubt, fear, or over prioritizing the mundane aspects of our lives we never take action on those opportunities. One of the primary lessons that can be learned from this book, is to take those chances, answer those calls. If Mr. Mauro’s life had not been where it was, its lowest point as he called it, would he have made his first climb? Maybe, maybe not, we’ll never know. What we do know is that he did answer the call, and he continued to do so when the universe told him that it was time to climb again. That may be the biggest thing to take from this book, take those chances, because they may take you to heights you never imagined you could achieve.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
“ Your ability to climb today’s mountain, is largely dependent in whether you found joy in climbing yesterdays.” We all have mountains in our lives that need to be climbed, whether they are physical or not. The Altitude Journals is all about life lessons, overcoming adversity, building relationships, and learning to listen to the universes call. While the author uses the seven summits and his absolutely historic feet of climbing them to emphasize his points, this book is about so much more. I give it 4 out of 4 stars.
At first glimpse this book would make the reader believe that it is about mountain climbing and the training, preparation, and actual act of climbing the seven summits. But it is about so much more. In the prologue the author gives some background about himself and his life. He covers how he grew up, and the struggles that he was dealing with before he made his first climb. Immediately the reader gets the feeling that this book will be less about mountain climbing and more about overcoming what life throws at you.
The climb up Denali was absolutely gripping. I couldn’t stop reading it. When the author talked about how the demons he had been avoiding came rushing to the surface during each step of the climb and the fight that occurred between him and the mountain I could feel for him. I could practically feel the excitement coming from the author when he talked about taking one more step closer to the summit but not admitting that he was there until he was actually on it and the sweet euphoria that came with reaching the top of his almost impossible goal. This chapter alone made me want to read the rest of the book.
Throughout the book the reader gets to experience the emotional highs and lows of the authors every day life. We get to go along with him as he meets the love of his life, grows closer to his children, and reconnects with an absent father. While he doesn’t go as in depth into the preparation for each of the other climbs, the author makes sure to emphasize the challenges faced and lessons learned. It’s a great example of how accepting and overcoming a physical challenge can lead to clarity and peace in the emotional challenges we face throughout our lives.
The author makes sure to share with the reader exactly what it was that made him feel like he should be climbing each of the mountains. A dream, a magazine ad, a drunken text, the desire to write, a moment on stage, a random thought and feeling. It was accepting these messages, seeing them for what they were, and having the courage to take action that led the author to the highest points in the world. Too often in this life we are presented with opportunities to change our lives for the better. Either through doubt, fear, or over prioritizing the mundane aspects of our lives we never take action on those opportunities. One of the primary lessons that can be learned from this book, is to take those chances, answer those calls. If Mr. Mauro’s life had not been where it was, its lowest point as he called it, would he have made his first climb? Maybe, maybe not, we’ll never know. What we do know is that he did answer the call, and he continued to do so when the universe told him that it was time to climb again. That may be the biggest thing to take from this book, take those chances, because they may take you to heights you never imagined you could achieve.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like erikjr0369's review? Post a comment saying so!