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[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]

The Altitude Journals is an autobiographical account by David J. Mauro, in which the author relates a time when he was a depressed and troubled divorcé, who took an opportunity to climb Mount Denali, the first of several mountaineering expeditions. Mauro finds himself pushed to his physical, mental, and emotional limits. As he summits formidable mountains, he learns that he still must face his off-mountain problems. He learns to let go of what "protects" his heart so he can love without holding back.

I liked most the emotional depth, introspection, perspective, and cleverness. Mauro is very generous to share so much deeply personal content. I also appreciate the way he teaches readers the various realities of mountain ascension and high altitude, both of which many readers would be very unfamiliar. I also appreciate his ocassional humorous anecdotes and his use of understatement. For example, he uses the word "primal" to describe his behavior when he curses over an unfortunate mishap. He makes entertainment of the mundane when he imagines that his pet fish talks and when he imagines that a set of dolls are judging him.

I disliked most that there were aspects of the expeditions that I could not fully understand. Mauro does a good job relating his experiences, but some parts are a little harder to understand. It seems that there are some elements that can only be understood if experienced directly or researched. I have never been on or near any of the expedition mountains in this book, so I do not fully comprehend the parts of the mountains and the associated vocabulary. Some of it would make more sense if related visually.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because I consider it especially insightful, informative, and ambitious. How many authors go through so much emotional, mental, and physical rigor to write a book? Through this book, I had a unique vicarious experience of climbing the world's most challenging mountains. This well-written and well-edited book is very engaging in a very human way. It relates to so many common emotions and common experiences, such as being a rookie, trying to find a soul mate, being lonely, being homesick, learning to live in the moment, making peace with the past, etc.

This book may appeal to mountain climbers, those interested in climbing mountains, and those who want to vicariously climb mountains. It also may appeal to those with romantic void. They may find an encouraging friend in Mauro, someone who implies, "I get it. I've been there. Open your heart. Take some risks. You'll regret it if you don't." This book may be unappealing to the unemotional and the unromantic.

If you want to read a deeply personal and insightful life account and climb the world's most formidable mountains without leaving your sofa, this book is for you!

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The Altitude Journals
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Like Laura3's review? Post a comment saying so!

This was the first book that I've got to review on OBC. I did notice in other reviews too, that people complain about not fully understanding some details. For me, everything was clear enough, although I'm far from being an alpinist... But I'm a hiker and I hike mountains. I know what it is to walk uphill all day, get gradually exhausted of it and finally gain all energy back and much more when you reach the highest point. Maybe that's why I naturally paid more attention to what I can relate to in the book, rather than focusing on small details. Anyway, good review, I enjoyed reading it.

The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro was a good book with great lessons that inspired me most. The review is also insightful and nothing negative about it. Thanks for it.