Review by richa1706 -- The Altitude Journals

[richa1706]

[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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A journey from the lowest point in life to the highest point on earth. Does it even make sense? How would being on the highest point geographically ever solve the life’s struggles? What connection does climbing mountains have with life lessons? Such questions and many more, The Altitude Journals beautifully answers all. Through the narrative running across 7 years of journey through the highest mountains of each continent, author wonderfully fills the gap between low to high both physically and psychologically.


David Mauro's journey is inspiring and calls out to our souls and teaches us the importance of listening to our callings. His story of a new beginning at something he knew nothing about to mastering it signifies the potential of persistence within each one of us.


In the year 2006, David Mauro’s marriage of 17 years fell apart and what was left were many shattered pieces of his life’s jigsaw puzzle, with the essence of it all gone missing altogether. Just when he thought he had lost it all, his brother-in-law Ty offered him a chance to join him and his team for an expedition to the top of Denali, the highest peak of North America. Realising he had nothing to lose, David Mauro embarked on this journey from which there was no turning back. In following 7 years, he walked on a path through forests, over glaciers and uneven mountains, besides rivers, penguins and cannibals. Somewhere in between he met his true love Lin and gradually learned the greater purpose of life.


The book has 7 chapters with each recounting the experience of climbing a different peak. Author has successfully captured the essence of each. All the mountains have been shown to have a distinct aura of their own and their own share of unique stories. Along with the physical challenges, as the author goes through his expeditions, his psychological uplift is amazingly presented. As the narrative proceeds, the growth of the protagonist is evident through many layers.
The experiences even seem to grow on reader as well.The prologue and epilogue are impressive and bind the the whole story in a sublime way. Prologue brings a sense of curiousity as to how author's journey would be like and what would happen that would cause an elevation; epilogue sums it all up and provides a fitting end to a new beginning.


Author's effort in detailing the many dangers associated with the mountains is worth appreciating. The explanation of the hazards creates a balanced sense of fear and respect for the mountains. Although the book is about a non climber successfully summiting few of the most treacherous peaks, at no point the writing creates a notion of evoking false hopes in a beginner. The various mountain hazards are explained in a way that doesn't get too overpowering for a novice and creates a good understanding.


I rate this book 4 out of 4 for the smooth narrative, detailed information, adventurous as well as psychological impact and last but not the least for all those sudden unexpected amusing incidents that keep popping up throughout. This book is recommended to all the adventure lovers as well as to those who are on lookout for a narrative providing some valuable life lessons. Readers who have the experience of mountain climbs would love to identify with the many minor and major details and learn a great deal more and inexperienced ones might hear their own calling from the mountains. But each and all would definitely feel a fire burn within them, the fire to be more and more alive with each passing day.

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The Altitude Journals
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