Review by Callistus Ibenye -- The Altitude Journals

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Callistus Ibenye
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Review by Callistus Ibenye -- 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 is a memoir written by David J. Mauro describing his personal experiences during his years as a mountain climber and how he took on the highest summit of each continent. According to the author, only sixty-five Americans have survived that quest. He is the sixty-fifth.
Mountain climbing can be a life-changing adventure. Most people climb mountains for the adventure and adrenaline rush while others do it because it makes them feel a sense of accomplishment. For the author, his "why" reason is "long and complicated" and to share his experience is the main reason for his writing this memoir.

The author was an Olympic hopeful for a short while in his youth. He tried out for basketball, baseball and soccer but didn't cut it in each. He, therefore, focused on building his career and after graduating from college he got married and started a family, but the marriage did not last. The breakup of his marriage made him depressed. He considered himself a failure at marriage just like his father. It was at that low point in his life that he accepted an offer to join his brother-in-law on an expedition to the top of Denali. David Mauro did not believe he could make it to the top of Denali, the highest peak in North America. However, the proposed expedition felt like one good thing he could hold on to. He believed that if he could complete the expedition to the top of Denali, he might come to believe in himself again. The author tried and made it to the pinnacle of North America and that marked the start of his years of as a mountaineer.

There are several things I enjoyed about the book. One is the inspiration I felt while reading how the author will overcome fear by facing challenges. I liked how the author shared his experience with honesty and just the right amount of humour such that I could not put down the book. The story flows because the author wrote it in a language that is easy and pleasant to read. 

The uniqueness of the author's account coupled with the honesty and humour with which the story was delivered are qualities that make this book compare well with other similar books. 

I rate this memoir 4 out of 4 stars because the author did an excellent literary job on the book. It is inspiring, instructive and honest on every emotional level. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy mountain climbing and adventure stories. 

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The Altitude Journals
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