Review of The Altitude Journals

[Adelle v]

[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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When David Mauro, personal financer, gets contacted by his sister's husband Ty, to go on a climbing trip to the top of the Americas, David is blown away. He has never climbed a mountain in his life. Ty, who shoots documentaries for ABC in Alaska, tells David that he believes in him. David feels more than inadequate. But with nothing to lose, he accepts the challenge. But with this acceptance comes hard work. David must train to climb Denali, the highest peak in the Americas. He soon learns everything there is to know about mountain climbing. But was this all he needed to know? What was in this that drove him to do this? Might this challenge help him to overcome his divorce? David gets himself a Blue Delta fish called Axel. Axel and David have meaningful discussions about everything. During his training, he also decides to join Bellingham's upfront theater. David sees this as a lifeline. While climbing Denali, he has a strange experience with his dead brother Danny. From there on, he made sure to release a few Danny's ashes into the wind with every summit.

The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro is a compelling and entertaining book. This 7 chapter book, with 453 pages, is filled with his seven-year journey of self-discovering and forgiveness. Finding new love and also growing as a human being. David gives detailed explanations of the workout required for every climb. Along with this climbing journey, David also finds the love of his life via an online dating app. It's the best thing that could happen to him. Lin fills his life with love, humor, and understanding. She made sure to greet him with appropriate attire regarding the country he visited on his return to the airport.

I found The Altitude Journals a charming and exciting book to read. The style was easy to read and understand. I could find no issues while reading. Every chapter in the book was dedicated, to a mountain he climbed, seven in all. Subtitles within every chapter gave more insight into the story he was telling. There were also footnotes containing titbits of interest. The detailed description of his climbing experience and how he felt was so vivid it felt like I was with him on that climb. I could picture myself with him in the jungles of Papua New Guinea, looking out for leeches. Yuck right. The most endearing thing about David was how he explained how these blood-sucking creatures were better than any vampire. One of the reasons is they inject an anesthetic before it bites you. How sweet.

The Altitude Journals is a book I would read again. Every mountain he climbed, he called "the calling". Vinson Massif in Antarctica might have been the worst climb of his life. He didn't feel the calling. He decided it was the wrong place to be. His dad's mental health was declining. He felt guilty for not being there. My favorite part of the book was when David climbed Carstensz Pyramid in Papua New Guinea. It might not have been one of the most-high mountains to climb, but it certainly was one of the most dangerous. To read about him talking about the jungle. To feel the soaking heat, the creeping leeches, and the drama, I could feel and taste it all. David also came to know the meaning of the "Ozone Brotherhood" when he summited Everest. I think one of the life-lessons one can learn from his book, is that no matter the amount of mountains we face, you can only climb one at a time.

There was nothing about this book that I disliked. The book looks to be professionally edited; The book also contains technical detail aspects of mountain climbing however, this does not hinder the reading flow. The author also provides the reader with photos of every climb. I encountered no errors while reading; There is minimal foul language. The author used his unique sense of humor in the telling of his stories, which I found welcoming. It is my great pleasure to award The Altitude Journals four out of four stars. Readers that enjoy adventure and mountain climbing from their coach will enjoy this book.

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The Altitude Journals
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[marta baglioni]

Climbing is a very challenging sport, not only physically, but mentally. The photos of the climbs are a plus!
I would love to read David's adventures, thank you for the recommendation

[danopsyfarm1]

Reading this book i got to know some of the challenges in mountain climbing. The book was also inspirational as the author had to struggle on getting a sport he enjoyed. He found out about mountain climbing at an old age. Nice review.

[MsH2k]

I could probably do without the technical aspects of mountain climbing, but the life stories along the way sound interesting. I guess I will have to read this book: I'm quite interested in meeting this Blue Delta fish called Axel.
Thank you for your recommendation!