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

[klkrol]

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

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4 out of 4 stars

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A month ago, if you had asked me to name the highest peak on each continent, or the Seven Summits, I would have been clueless beyond guessing Everest. The Altitude Journals by David J. Mauro informed me on the remaining six summits. For some mountains, I was learning their names for the first time. The book deepened both my understanding and appreciation of the Seven Summits, as well as the people with the courage to attempt them. Throughout the book, Mauro relates his experiences climbing mountains, the unique struggles they presented, and the lessons he gleaned from each climb. The lessons are each shared in a way that is relatable and often in words that are quotable.

Mauro did not set out intending to climb the Seven Summits. He had not planned on even climbing one. But just as a great tree starts from a little seed, so too did his climbing adventures. In Mauro’s case, the seed was planted when his brother-in-law invited him to climb Denali. Mauro found himself pondering the suggestion when he was at a particularly low point in his life. Deciding he had nothing to lose, he agreed to join the climb. After all, if you are at your lowest point, where else can you go if not up? During that first summit attempt, Mauro struggled in comparison to his fellow climbers, but he did not give up. Upon finishing the climb, he thought that was it. But as the book continues, readers learn more about his life, as well as the ways in which he felt called to additional summits and the life lessons that each held for him.

I found this book to be really enjoyable and I give it 4 out of 4 stars. Having never even considered climbing a mountain myself, reading about other climbers provides not only an opportunity to live vicariously through the characters from the comfort of my couch, but also strengthens my appreciation for their hard work, dedication, and preparedness – both mental and physical – of climbing.

Mauro shares his stories without extraneous details and it is easy to relate to his experiences even if you are not a climber. He achieves this through a straightforward writing style, photos from the summits, and detailing his own psychological struggles and growth resulting from his climbing adventures. Seeing how the lessons from each climb applied to his personal life and helped him grow as a person allows readers to imagine how those same lessons could be applied to their own lives as well.

Much of the book has a familiar feel to it as though conversing with a friend. While I felt this was a good fit for the story, it may be slightly off-putting for those that expect a more formal presentation. However, if you are not bothered by this, and you are looking for a boost in inspiration or want to tag along on some adventures, consider giving this book a read. It is well-written, professionally edited, entertaining, relatable, and often injected with humor.

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The Altitude Journals
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