Review by Hexmax -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Posted: 23 Sep 2018, 05:24
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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David J Mauro's The Altitude Journals presents the story of how the author goes from having no mountain climbing experience at all to summiting the tallest peaks of each continent in a few short years. At the age of forty-four, the author hits a mid-life crisis culminating in a messy divorce. His brother-in-law invites him to join a climbing expedition to Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. Clinically depressed and with nothing to lose, the author decides to take the challenge on. And thus the journey of a person with no background in mountain-climbing begins.
Despite fatigue, climbing obstacles, sickness, and hallucinations induced by high altitude, the team summits Denali, taking one tiny step at a time. The author learns important life lessons, and upon his return, his life changes for the better. Over the course of the next six years, the author goes on to summit the tallest peaks in each of the seven continents to become the sixty-fifth American to achieve the feat. There is never a long-term climbing goal; each peak calls the author out in due time, leaving him with no option but to oblige. Wholehearted support from his new partner, teammates, family members, and other well-wishers is vital to his success. Each peak, from the Carstensz Pyramid to Everest, regardless of its height and level of infamy, poses unique challenges, compels interaction with different cultures, and imparts important lessons which enhance the life of the author and those around him.
The writing is extremely engaging. The text highlights the author's struggles but does not dwell on them for too long, instead moving over quickly to the primary story involving the various climbs. The author displays a delightful sense of humor throughout the book, even while talking about leeches and high-altitude physiological problems, keeping the text from becoming overly serious. I like the precise descriptions and analogies used throughout the book. For example, I had no trouble visualizing how the mountains can feel like a large oven when the sun is up or understanding how going past high camp literally involves dying slowly. Delineating ones personal shortcomings and detailing the process of overcoming them can be very challenging, but the author does a commendable job of describing them honestly. I like the fact that the author tries to portray everyone in the story charitably, refraining from using his position to paint those at odds with him harshly. This helps the story maintain a balanced feel throughout. I also enjoyed reading the interim sections during which the author interacts with his family and works on other things. These sections add another layer of genuineness to the story, and show that climbing aside, the author is a human like the rest of us.
It is hard for me to find much to dislike about the book. The story about the climbs of Aconcagua and Elbrus feel a little more fast paced than the rest, although that's not necessarily a complaint. I would have liked to see some more details about what happened in the years after the climbing was over. But again, that is a minor matter, and these areas probably got edited out during the process of making the book concise.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars because of its impressive content and engaging style. However, I must point out this is not a guidebook. It does not focus on climbing techniques or what kind of training and equipment you will need to scale any of the mountains. This book would not appeal to readers uninterested in knowing about ancillary details about the author, as there are a lot of those in these pages. Those who like to read about travel, expeditions, and mountaineering should definitely read the book. I would also recommend the book to those who are at a low point in their lives as the story is really inspiring. Those who are embarking on a long challenging journey, even one of a totally different kind such as graduate or medical school, can also find something valuable in the story of the author's journey.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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David J Mauro's The Altitude Journals presents the story of how the author goes from having no mountain climbing experience at all to summiting the tallest peaks of each continent in a few short years. At the age of forty-four, the author hits a mid-life crisis culminating in a messy divorce. His brother-in-law invites him to join a climbing expedition to Denali, the tallest mountain in North America. Clinically depressed and with nothing to lose, the author decides to take the challenge on. And thus the journey of a person with no background in mountain-climbing begins.
Despite fatigue, climbing obstacles, sickness, and hallucinations induced by high altitude, the team summits Denali, taking one tiny step at a time. The author learns important life lessons, and upon his return, his life changes for the better. Over the course of the next six years, the author goes on to summit the tallest peaks in each of the seven continents to become the sixty-fifth American to achieve the feat. There is never a long-term climbing goal; each peak calls the author out in due time, leaving him with no option but to oblige. Wholehearted support from his new partner, teammates, family members, and other well-wishers is vital to his success. Each peak, from the Carstensz Pyramid to Everest, regardless of its height and level of infamy, poses unique challenges, compels interaction with different cultures, and imparts important lessons which enhance the life of the author and those around him.
The writing is extremely engaging. The text highlights the author's struggles but does not dwell on them for too long, instead moving over quickly to the primary story involving the various climbs. The author displays a delightful sense of humor throughout the book, even while talking about leeches and high-altitude physiological problems, keeping the text from becoming overly serious. I like the precise descriptions and analogies used throughout the book. For example, I had no trouble visualizing how the mountains can feel like a large oven when the sun is up or understanding how going past high camp literally involves dying slowly. Delineating ones personal shortcomings and detailing the process of overcoming them can be very challenging, but the author does a commendable job of describing them honestly. I like the fact that the author tries to portray everyone in the story charitably, refraining from using his position to paint those at odds with him harshly. This helps the story maintain a balanced feel throughout. I also enjoyed reading the interim sections during which the author interacts with his family and works on other things. These sections add another layer of genuineness to the story, and show that climbing aside, the author is a human like the rest of us.
It is hard for me to find much to dislike about the book. The story about the climbs of Aconcagua and Elbrus feel a little more fast paced than the rest, although that's not necessarily a complaint. I would have liked to see some more details about what happened in the years after the climbing was over. But again, that is a minor matter, and these areas probably got edited out during the process of making the book concise.
I give this book 4 out of 4 stars because of its impressive content and engaging style. However, I must point out this is not a guidebook. It does not focus on climbing techniques or what kind of training and equipment you will need to scale any of the mountains. This book would not appeal to readers uninterested in knowing about ancillary details about the author, as there are a lot of those in these pages. Those who like to read about travel, expeditions, and mountaineering should definitely read the book. I would also recommend the book to those who are at a low point in their lives as the story is really inspiring. Those who are embarking on a long challenging journey, even one of a totally different kind such as graduate or medical school, can also find something valuable in the story of the author's journey.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Hexmax's review? Post a comment saying so!