Review by KDJ -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro

KDJ · Post by **KDJ** » 19 May 2019, 11:22

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

4 out of 4 stars

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“The calling is everything to a seeker. It is the scent he tracks and the music that plays in his head. Without it, the seeker is simply wandering.” Nowhere is this more clearly expressed, then in David Mauro’s personal account of his ascent of the seven summits entitled The Altitude Journals. In which six of the seven highest peaks on Earth's continents called to Mauro and others, testing each individually, allowing only the winnowed few to join the exclusive club known as The Ozone Brotherhood.

Chronicling the seven years taken to conquer the world's most ominous and topographically diverse mountains. From 2007 to 2013, Mauro audaciously ascends the most well known mountains that very few have conquered. Rich sensory details, along with funny and insightful writing imbues its 456 pages with, at times, an ebullient spirit of adventure. This fast paced memoir will have readers laughing, crying and gasping from the first climb of Denali to the culmination of its last chapter, recounting the climb of Everest.

With a multitude of people rotating through both Mauro’s life and as expedition members, Ty and Lin were the greatest supportive cast Mauro could have wished for. An unexpected invitation by Ty, to the first summit, set in motion the first of seven exciting and emotional journeys to self actualization. Similarly, Lin’s unwavering support and encouragement only cements the clear enrichment her love of David has brought to his life. David’s ex-wife, Jenny, also had a substantial role in the direction Mauro’s life has taken. Their divorce is yet another catalyst that shepherds him towards a life changing campaign of climbing and writing. His clear love for both his sons helps keep him grounded in times of unmitigated timorousness during the worst part of climbs.

This is David Mauro’s first memoir of his seven summits. He has received the 2018 Beverly Hills Book Award, and is the B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree for 2018. Mauro is also an accomplished improv actor, blogger and magazine writer. Readers will enjoy the wit, comedy and emotion of Mauro’s writing; for example, his thoughts on the leech issue facing climbers of the Carstensz Pyramid in New Guinea, was very funny. Personal accounts like The Altitude Journals make reading exciting as you feel yourself reliving the epic exploits of a distinguished individual. Readers will enjoy escaping into this chronicle of real-life adventure.

One of the most surprising concepts learned while reading, was the large refuse complication on Everest. Fortunately, the Nepalese government, plus various guide companies is taking up the campaign to remove what they call legacy waste, from the mountain. Another was learning a little about Sherpa physiology, which allows them to excel and thrive at high altitudes, while others succumb to altitude sickness.

The Altitude Journals has earned 4 out of 4 stars. While reading, there are no noticeable grammatical errors; therefore I believe it professionally edited. Telling a wonderful story replete with suspense and lacking minutia, I recommend this book to those readers that love memoirs and first person accounts of adventure. Although there were many times while reading when some descriptions caused my own heart to skip several beats, they were necessary and enhanced the overall story. They were well-written and used to impart the dangerous nature that is mountain climbing. Other than these heart stopping moments, I noticed nothing truly offensive or excessive in this narrative.

Lastly, The Altitude Journals is a great read for all, even those that do not know their altimeter from their crampons, or a jumar from a carabiner. If you do decide to read this wonderful memoir, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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The Altitude Journals
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Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 17 Jun 2019, 16:43

I'm not usually much on memoirs, but, after reading your review, this is one that I definitely would be interested in. Great job!

maggi3 · Post by **maggi3** » 17 Jun 2019, 16:57

I’ve read a few reviews of this book. There seems to be an agreement that it is a fantastic story. I agree with Prisallen that memoirs aren’t usually my thing, but this one sounds interesting. Thanks for the review!

KDJ · Post by **KDJ** » 20 Jul 2019, 12:47

Prisallen wrote: ↑17 Jun 2019, 16:43 I'm not usually much on memoirs, but, after reading your review, this is one that I definitely would be interested in. Great job!

Thank you for reading the review

With humor and storytelling, it really is a great adventure memoir. I enjoyed reading it very much.