Review by Gabi_boldt -- The Altitude Journals
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Gabi_boldt
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- Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Review by Gabi_boldt -- The Altitude Journals
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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When life has beaten you down, and you have hit your lowest point, what does it take to pull yourself up again? In his memoir, The Altitude Journals, David J. Mauro shares a powerful tale of his life as he rises up from his lowest point, all the way to the top of the world. This book can best be described as heart-warming, moving, and inspirational. As David (Dave) summits each mountain he not only encounters physical trials but mental ones as well.
The story begins with Dave reflecting on his childhood within a poverty-stricken and broken household. In a few short paragraphs, the reader is acquainted with young Dave and is shown the progression of childhood to adulthood. It’s a seamless transition that brings readers directly to the forefront of the story. As a man who has lost everything, Dave is approached with an unbelievable opportunity, to summit Mount Denali. A few months prior, he never would have been able to consider such an idea, but now, at his lowest point, Dave takes the leap. What he begins is a fundamentally life-changing path. Even though he does not consider himself a mountain climber, or even a committed outdoorsman, at 44 Dave finds a calling within himself. To reach the top of each continent, and conquer the seven summits is a monumental task that even the most experienced climbers have failed, yet this man, with very little experience, finds the will and the drive to succeed.
Originally, I did not see myself reading this book. It seemed like a very typical “overcoming adversity” story that would be full of deep anecdotes and dull metaphors. To say I was wrong would be a complete understatement. From the first sentence, I was completely drawn into this story. I could relate to young Dave, and later adolescent Dave as he came to terms with his father's abandonment and his family's poverty. I found myself connecting to him and feeling emotionally invested in his happiness. All of this, before Dave even decided to climb his first mountain. That, in my opinion, is what makes this book so spellbinding. Dave tells a narrative with the bluntness of a bat, and the honesty of a child. There is not a larger purpose in what he is telling us, and he has no reason to lie. It’s a very bare, honest telling of his life and his adventures.
My favorite aspect of this book, aside from Dave’s dry humor, is the lessons I as a reader took away from this story. Dave combats the physical and the mental as he prepares himself and climbs to the very tops of the Earth. It is there that he confronts his father, his divorce, his own self-doubt, and all the other negative thoughts and experiences that he had shut away before. The mountains stripped him of his walls and taught him to embrace the vulnerability of truth and honesty with oneself. The mountains he climbs are essentially a metaphor for his personal demons, and by conquering the mountains, he therefore faces his demons. Dave doesn’t conquer them, that’s impossible, but he learns how to face them, and how to own them. That is a win.
Possibly the best thing about this book is its ability to draw the reader in and leave them asking for more. As Dave’s journey begins, the reader is invited to follow along, but it is quickly difficult to not want to know more. As far as memoirs go, this one takes the cake for superb writing that is vivid, interesting, and honest. With no mistakes to my knowledge and after enjoying this book as much as I did, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, and recommend it to everyone. If you enjoy heartfelt stories with relatable characters and adventure, then this is the book for you.
******
The Altitude Journals
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4 out of 4 stars
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When life has beaten you down, and you have hit your lowest point, what does it take to pull yourself up again? In his memoir, The Altitude Journals, David J. Mauro shares a powerful tale of his life as he rises up from his lowest point, all the way to the top of the world. This book can best be described as heart-warming, moving, and inspirational. As David (Dave) summits each mountain he not only encounters physical trials but mental ones as well.
The story begins with Dave reflecting on his childhood within a poverty-stricken and broken household. In a few short paragraphs, the reader is acquainted with young Dave and is shown the progression of childhood to adulthood. It’s a seamless transition that brings readers directly to the forefront of the story. As a man who has lost everything, Dave is approached with an unbelievable opportunity, to summit Mount Denali. A few months prior, he never would have been able to consider such an idea, but now, at his lowest point, Dave takes the leap. What he begins is a fundamentally life-changing path. Even though he does not consider himself a mountain climber, or even a committed outdoorsman, at 44 Dave finds a calling within himself. To reach the top of each continent, and conquer the seven summits is a monumental task that even the most experienced climbers have failed, yet this man, with very little experience, finds the will and the drive to succeed.
Originally, I did not see myself reading this book. It seemed like a very typical “overcoming adversity” story that would be full of deep anecdotes and dull metaphors. To say I was wrong would be a complete understatement. From the first sentence, I was completely drawn into this story. I could relate to young Dave, and later adolescent Dave as he came to terms with his father's abandonment and his family's poverty. I found myself connecting to him and feeling emotionally invested in his happiness. All of this, before Dave even decided to climb his first mountain. That, in my opinion, is what makes this book so spellbinding. Dave tells a narrative with the bluntness of a bat, and the honesty of a child. There is not a larger purpose in what he is telling us, and he has no reason to lie. It’s a very bare, honest telling of his life and his adventures.
My favorite aspect of this book, aside from Dave’s dry humor, is the lessons I as a reader took away from this story. Dave combats the physical and the mental as he prepares himself and climbs to the very tops of the Earth. It is there that he confronts his father, his divorce, his own self-doubt, and all the other negative thoughts and experiences that he had shut away before. The mountains stripped him of his walls and taught him to embrace the vulnerability of truth and honesty with oneself. The mountains he climbs are essentially a metaphor for his personal demons, and by conquering the mountains, he therefore faces his demons. Dave doesn’t conquer them, that’s impossible, but he learns how to face them, and how to own them. That is a win.
Possibly the best thing about this book is its ability to draw the reader in and leave them asking for more. As Dave’s journey begins, the reader is invited to follow along, but it is quickly difficult to not want to know more. As far as memoirs go, this one takes the cake for superb writing that is vivid, interesting, and honest. With no mistakes to my knowledge and after enjoying this book as much as I did, I rate this book 4 out of 4 stars, and recommend it to everyone. If you enjoy heartfelt stories with relatable characters and adventure, then this is the book for you.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Gabi_boldt's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
