Review of The Altitude Journals

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Andrada Madalina
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Review of The Altitude Journals

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[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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The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro is a non-fiction book that illustrates a spiritual journey through tenacious efforts and risks highlighting the strength of climbers facing the effects of high altitude and harsh weather conditions. Also, it presents various themes such as love, individual contemplation in nature, midlife crisis, and death.

Briefly, it is a memoir that emphasizes the battle of mental focus of the author while climbing mountains and his pursuit of happiness after a failed marriage. David J Mauro, a 44-year-old financial planner, becomes a mountain climber after Ty Hardt, his brother-in-law, offers him the opportunity of climbing Denali. Although he is a novice in climbing, he feels the call of the mountains and continues to complete a new summit every year.

I liked that the protagonist illustrated the mountain as a battlefield he tries to conquer by fighting his fears. The climbing experience helped him realize his inner problems and learn how to deal with them. He journaled his exciting experiences of each risky expedition of the Seven Summits explaining in detail his training, camping, and resting, and shared them with the entire world. I appreciated the temperance moments of David in his discussions with some of his climbing teammates. For example, he decided not to anger his teammates and endanger their lives to defend his beliefs and moral values ​​during the Antarctic expedition. Also, I was fascinated by the Sherpa people and their adaptations to the brutal conditions of the environment.

There is nothing I disliked about The Altitude Journals. I loved the chemistry between Dave and Lin and that she encouraged him to follow his dream without judging his decisions. I liked that the author captured the notable moments through various photos he illustrated in the book. My favorite was with Dave dressed in a penguin costume and Lin in a snowflake. I found their tradition of dressing up specifically for each adventure unique and funny. Also, I loved the encouraging life philosophy of Steve, a man who was beating cancer and climbed the highest mountain in the world.

I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars because it offered me a lesson of courage and ambition. I learned that the mountains are not just about stunning landscapes but also about the possibility of healing spiritual wounds and dealing with inner fears and problems. I should follow my path, live my life mindfully and push my limits. Also, I discovered no single error while reading it.

I would recommend this book to the fans of mountain adventure and challenges, especially those who want to read about bonds formed at high altitudes and triumph mixed with love. The Altitude Journals is perfect for people who want to know the risks of ascending and descending the summits and the importance of understanding and accepting fear. It is suitable for adults and teenagers because it contains minor profanity and no erotic content.

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The Altitude Journals
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