Review by Andrea80 -- The Altitude Journals
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Andrea80
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Review by Andrea80 -- The Altitude Journals
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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It takes a special type of person to commit to the endless pain and suffering it requires to climb the world’s highest peaks. David J. Mauro is one of those people. He shares his inspiring story about climbing the “Seven Summits” in his book The Altitude Journals. Far from being a professional mountaineer, David Mauro came to be a mountain climber more by accident than by plan.
His first adventure takes him to the top of Denali during the lowest point of his personal life following his divorce. Denali is one of the more technical climbs of the seven summits which makes it as hard as it can get for a first-time climber. David is close to giving up on the way but pulls through in the end. Still not considering himself to be a mountaineer after successfully completing the climb, he receives a calling from Kilimanjaro in the form of a dream. Again, after successfully completing the climb and believing he is never going to climb again, he receives the next calling. One after the other he climbs the tallest peak on each continent culminating in the King of Mountains - Mount Everest. Each mountain takes on a special meaning in his life, from overcoming a divorce to finding love, and understanding the relationships with his loved ones.
Each one of his journeys is unique in the preparation required, the travel involved, the people on the trip, and the technicality of the climb itself. This keeps the book engaging and interesting throughout. Mountain climbing has some very unique challenges and risks stemming from the high altitude and lack of oxygen. Health problems can arise suddenly and turn into life-threatening events quickly. Other challenges include the logistics of packing all the supplies, keeping warm and the techniques needed to stay safe. The author does an excellent job in sharing all the intricate details with the reader as he experiences them for the first time.
What is very intriguing about the book is the combination of exciting adventure writing and the insight into the life of a multi-faceted and multi-talented person. If you are interested in mountain climbing, you will enjoy this book. And if you are interested in good writing and life experience, you will also like this book. The author has completed a feat that only a few have been able to complete before him. Nevertheless, the reader gets to know the author not just as a successful mountaineer but at the same time as a human being with vulnerable and emotional moments. I was unable to find anything negative to say about this book.
I rate The Altitude Journals 4 out of 4 stars. It was a highly enjoyable and exciting read. The book is professionally edited without flaw. The author’s writing style is easy to follow, engaging, honest, and funny at times. The author discovers his passion for writing while climbing. He authored many blog entries during his trip preparations and journeys to the top.
******
The Altitude Journals
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4 out of 4 stars
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It takes a special type of person to commit to the endless pain and suffering it requires to climb the world’s highest peaks. David J. Mauro is one of those people. He shares his inspiring story about climbing the “Seven Summits” in his book The Altitude Journals. Far from being a professional mountaineer, David Mauro came to be a mountain climber more by accident than by plan.
His first adventure takes him to the top of Denali during the lowest point of his personal life following his divorce. Denali is one of the more technical climbs of the seven summits which makes it as hard as it can get for a first-time climber. David is close to giving up on the way but pulls through in the end. Still not considering himself to be a mountaineer after successfully completing the climb, he receives a calling from Kilimanjaro in the form of a dream. Again, after successfully completing the climb and believing he is never going to climb again, he receives the next calling. One after the other he climbs the tallest peak on each continent culminating in the King of Mountains - Mount Everest. Each mountain takes on a special meaning in his life, from overcoming a divorce to finding love, and understanding the relationships with his loved ones.
Each one of his journeys is unique in the preparation required, the travel involved, the people on the trip, and the technicality of the climb itself. This keeps the book engaging and interesting throughout. Mountain climbing has some very unique challenges and risks stemming from the high altitude and lack of oxygen. Health problems can arise suddenly and turn into life-threatening events quickly. Other challenges include the logistics of packing all the supplies, keeping warm and the techniques needed to stay safe. The author does an excellent job in sharing all the intricate details with the reader as he experiences them for the first time.
What is very intriguing about the book is the combination of exciting adventure writing and the insight into the life of a multi-faceted and multi-talented person. If you are interested in mountain climbing, you will enjoy this book. And if you are interested in good writing and life experience, you will also like this book. The author has completed a feat that only a few have been able to complete before him. Nevertheless, the reader gets to know the author not just as a successful mountaineer but at the same time as a human being with vulnerable and emotional moments. I was unable to find anything negative to say about this book.
I rate The Altitude Journals 4 out of 4 stars. It was a highly enjoyable and exciting read. The book is professionally edited without flaw. The author’s writing style is easy to follow, engaging, honest, and funny at times. The author discovers his passion for writing while climbing. He authored many blog entries during his trip preparations and journeys to the top.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Andrea80's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress by Gustavo Kinrys, MD
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This sounds like an amazing memoir/travelogue. Very detailed and enjoyable review!
