Review by bigscarythingy -- The Altitude Journals

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 11 Apr 2019, 20:01

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

4 out of 4 stars

Share This Review

In The Altitude Journals by David J. Mauro, we are introduced to a man who, at age forty-four, decides to become a mountain climber. David walks away from a comfortable desk job as a Financial Planner and sets his sights on tackling the highest peaks of each continent – the Seven Summits: Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Aconcagua, Vinson Massif, the Carstensz Pyramid, and Everest. This is no mean feat, with only sixty-four Americans having survived the task before him.

David was not especially adept at sports as a child. He was chubby early on, and – even when he shed the extra weight – he was still only mediocre at physical endeavors. A failed marriage and family tragedy later, and David feels that his life has been a total disaster. It’s through his brother-in-law, Ty, and a challenging birthday gift, that he is exposed to the exhilarating world of mountaineering. Embracing his new lifestyle exposes him to not only glaciers and wastelands, but cannibals, elephants, and gun runners. Seven years spent climbing some of the world’s greatest peaks, leads to some meaningful discoveries, including a greater sense of self. Mountain climbing soon becomes a metaphor for David’s personal life’s trajectory.

I really enjoyed the author’s journey. His story is wonderful and his writing style economical, yet satisfyingly descriptive. I loved David’s evolution throughout the narrative; he started out as a truly broken man, gradually finding courage, determination and stoutness of heart out in the most extreme conditions on earth. There is a directness to David’s turn-of-phrase that makes the reader feel as though he is delivering his life story in person. The honesty of this book appealed to me instantly and I soon found myself empathizing with the author and worrying about his welfare.

This book was thoroughly edited and I found no glaring errors; there is nothing that I didn’t like about this story. The Altitude Journals will appeal to anyone into physical adventure or just adventurers at heart. I award this book 4 out of 4 stars as it moved at a good pace, touched my heart in places, and had me raring to climb mountains of my own. This is a captivating read.

******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like bigscarythingy's review? Post a comment saying so!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 16 Apr 2019, 08:20

I admire people who do something like this. He must have had financial backing though, or was rich, in order to give up his job to go mountain climbing. Thank you for a wonderful review!

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 17 Apr 2019, 19:36

Prisallen wrote: ↑16 Apr 2019, 08:20 I admire people who do something like this. He must have had financial backing though, or was rich, in order to give up his job to go mountain climbing. Thank you for a wonderful review!

You're quite right. Thank for commenting.

Kelyn · Post by **Kelyn** » 21 Apr 2019, 22:02

Ok, that's what I call brave...or maybe terribly desperate, to give up everything you know and start all over again completely new. And he didn't exactly pick an easy way to go either!! This really isn't my genre, so I probably won't be reading it, but your review really set forth the emotions he must have been going through well. Thanks!

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 09 May 2019, 18:45

Kelyn wrote: ↑21 Apr 2019, 22:02 Ok, that's what I call brave...or maybe terribly desperate, to give up everything you know and start all over again completely new. And he didn't exactly pick an easy way to go either!! This really isn't my genre, so I probably won't be reading it, but your review really set forth the emotions he must have been going through well. Thanks!

Quite possible. Thanks so much for the compliment and thanks for commenting.

Letora · Post by **Letora** » 09 May 2019, 21:09

What a beautiful book cover. I imagine it could be one of the mountains visited in the book. Stories of loss and personal growth can be very good reads. Great review!

angiejack456 · Post by **angiejack456** » 13 May 2019, 07:51

I recently finished this book as well and loved it too. You are right, the author writes in such a way that you feel like you are sitting down having a conversation with him. Thanks for the great review!

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 27 May 2019, 01:18

Letora wrote: ↑09 May 2019, 21:09 What a beautiful book cover. I imagine it could be one of the mountains visited in the book. Stories of loss and personal growth can be very good reads. Great review!

I agree - I have a similar print on my wall. Thanks for commenting.

bigscarythingy · Post by **bigscarythingy** » 27 May 2019, 01:19

angiejack456 wrote: ↑13 May 2019, 07:51 I recently finished this book as well and loved it too. You are right, the author writes in such a way that you feel like you are sitting down having a conversation with him. Thanks for the great review!

I admire that quality in a writer. Thanks for commenting.