Review of The Altitude Journals
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Anu Theresa J
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- Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Review of The Altitude Journals
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
David was an Olympic hopeful. But, when his improvements faced a wall, he gave up. While in college, he fell in love and after some years grew out of it. He became depressed for having hurt his sons and for repeating his parents' mistake. To find solace, he accepted the request of his brother-in-law, Ty Hardt to participate in a documentary showcasing an attempt to climb mount McKinley (North America). The information related to high altitude, distance, low temperature, physical demands and possible medical conditions made him doubtful. When he ascertained that, even therapy was useless, he started the preparation.
Despite being a rookie, his teammates, who were experienced, were warm to him. The distance, dehydration and diminishing oxygen levels made him want to give up. But, the team helped him achieve the dream. Each climb was followed by another steep and dangerous climb. Rather than thinking about the summit he decided to focus on one step and one breath at a time. When he made it, he was able to find his inner demons and the strength to face the divorce process.
He wanted to destroy the demons and fall in love again. The climb to Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) helped him achieve a positive outlook. After the expedition, he met Lin who had similar back story like David. He fell in love with her but he was afraid to commit. Mount Elbrus (Europe) made him understand his love and longing for her. Once back, he started doing live improve stages which helped him ignore the doubters who thought he was off path and he instilled the process of listening, trusting and acting onto his life.
To cool off the tiredness from looking after his father, he went to Mount Aconcagua (South America). The expedition and Ty’s influence helped him understand the essence of fatherhood. The Vinson Massif (Antartica) expedition was tormenting but he understood that he was able to co-operate regardless of the problems. The sixth to Mount Carstensz (Oceania) required technical hard work in addition to facing humans and caring leeches. He realised how important teamwork is and found joy in small things. The final expedition to Mount Everest (Asia) was fearsome because he was in a state of comfort both in terms of finance and relationships. He felt like he had to let go of all the comfort and might even lose it. But, in the end, he committed to it and realised that hard work was not what he feared but failure.
The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro is an autobiography about his journey to the seven highest summits in each continent. Despite having doubts and insecurities, his belief in hope and possibility helped him conquer them all. Each step awaited a bigger and crooked step. He succeeded because he took one step at a time. The life that became devoid because of the divorce got filled with experiences and satisfaction. He also illustrated how climbing a mountain is as important as sorting the way back. He explained about the preparation required, the essentiality of teamwork, the dangerous life of a Sherpa, about relationships and how the present matters more than the past or the future. Also Lin’s cosplay was heart-warming.
I will give a four out of four stars. There was no dragging, had adequate humour and tons of inspiration, experiences and knowledge. The read will help you face your fear by making you understand the importance of taking one step and one breath at a time. The book is also well edited.
I would recommend the book to all ages. Occasionally curse words and religious tints are used. But if you are ready to absorb the important stuff, then this book could push you in overcoming insecurities and doubts. It will help you pursue what your heart and mind craves for regardless of the distance, height or depth.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
David was an Olympic hopeful. But, when his improvements faced a wall, he gave up. While in college, he fell in love and after some years grew out of it. He became depressed for having hurt his sons and for repeating his parents' mistake. To find solace, he accepted the request of his brother-in-law, Ty Hardt to participate in a documentary showcasing an attempt to climb mount McKinley (North America). The information related to high altitude, distance, low temperature, physical demands and possible medical conditions made him doubtful. When he ascertained that, even therapy was useless, he started the preparation.
Despite being a rookie, his teammates, who were experienced, were warm to him. The distance, dehydration and diminishing oxygen levels made him want to give up. But, the team helped him achieve the dream. Each climb was followed by another steep and dangerous climb. Rather than thinking about the summit he decided to focus on one step and one breath at a time. When he made it, he was able to find his inner demons and the strength to face the divorce process.
He wanted to destroy the demons and fall in love again. The climb to Mount Kilimanjaro (Africa) helped him achieve a positive outlook. After the expedition, he met Lin who had similar back story like David. He fell in love with her but he was afraid to commit. Mount Elbrus (Europe) made him understand his love and longing for her. Once back, he started doing live improve stages which helped him ignore the doubters who thought he was off path and he instilled the process of listening, trusting and acting onto his life.
To cool off the tiredness from looking after his father, he went to Mount Aconcagua (South America). The expedition and Ty’s influence helped him understand the essence of fatherhood. The Vinson Massif (Antartica) expedition was tormenting but he understood that he was able to co-operate regardless of the problems. The sixth to Mount Carstensz (Oceania) required technical hard work in addition to facing humans and caring leeches. He realised how important teamwork is and found joy in small things. The final expedition to Mount Everest (Asia) was fearsome because he was in a state of comfort both in terms of finance and relationships. He felt like he had to let go of all the comfort and might even lose it. But, in the end, he committed to it and realised that hard work was not what he feared but failure.
The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro is an autobiography about his journey to the seven highest summits in each continent. Despite having doubts and insecurities, his belief in hope and possibility helped him conquer them all. Each step awaited a bigger and crooked step. He succeeded because he took one step at a time. The life that became devoid because of the divorce got filled with experiences and satisfaction. He also illustrated how climbing a mountain is as important as sorting the way back. He explained about the preparation required, the essentiality of teamwork, the dangerous life of a Sherpa, about relationships and how the present matters more than the past or the future. Also Lin’s cosplay was heart-warming.
I will give a four out of four stars. There was no dragging, had adequate humour and tons of inspiration, experiences and knowledge. The read will help you face your fear by making you understand the importance of taking one step and one breath at a time. The book is also well edited.
I would recommend the book to all ages. Occasionally curse words and religious tints are used. But if you are ready to absorb the important stuff, then this book could push you in overcoming insecurities and doubts. It will help you pursue what your heart and mind craves for regardless of the distance, height or depth.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
