Review by _bbell -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
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_bbell
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- Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
Review by _bbell -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Altitude Journals" by David J Mauro.]
4 out of 4 stars
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What is life but an epic and wild adventure? The Altitude Journals: A Seven-Year Journey from the Lowest Point in My Life to the Highest Point on Earth by David Mauro, is a true story where Mr. Mauro experiences a midlife crisis in his forties and starts a journey of self-discovery. This book recounts the true events of David’s life; starting from rock bottom, with ending a marriage with someone whom he shares two sons with, to the highest point in his life with a new woman and a self-discovery of believing in himself again. Expanding over seven years, David sets out on an international adventure of a lifetime, encountering glaciers, dangerous and wild forests, cannibals, and ends up being one of the few people in the world to climb the seven summits, from Denali in Alaska all the way to making it to the top of the world on Mt. Everest in Nepal.
Going through a divorce and living with his sister, David’s seven year journey begins when his brother-in-law, Ty, calls and invites him to climb Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. With nothing left to lose, David accepts the invitation while having no mountain climbing experience whatsoever. The adventure itself was a wake up call for David and it put him on a path to climbing other mountains as well. Along the way David not only meets people from all over the world, he learns from each venture and applies it to his life. From online dating and navigating a post-divorce lifestyle, while attempting to be present for his two sons, as well as participating in improv on the side with the famous comedian Ryan Stiles himself. A whole new chapter of “life” opens up for David that he never envisioned was possible.
What is really captivating about this book is that David portrays each climb in such vivid descriptions. The writing really draws the reader in and paints a vision that is breathtaking and true. David also has his own website featuring The Altitude Journals where people can look at his pictures from each climb, as well as read the blog articles that Mr. Mauro writes during each climb, which allows the reader to capture a surreal moment of climbing the mountains with David. Another mesmerizing aspect of The Altitude Journals is the insight that David gains from each climb and brings into his day-to day life. He figures out methods to handle his demons and with each climb, David absorbs some new wisdom and applies it to his life. David is very open about his feelings throughout this book and it really resonates throughout the seven years. From dealing with issues about his biological father to learning how to be open and vulnerable again after going through a divorce. David’s vulnerability and raw honesty makes this story all the more mesmerizing and intriguing to read.
Mr. Mauro is not only a beginner mountain climber, but also a Certified Financial Planner, who also writes for Adventures Northwest magazine. All in all, David is a regular guy who lives in Bellingham, Washington and is living proof that you can achieve goals you never thought possible. The tone of this book is humorous at times with a heartfelt appreciation for the world we live in. Organized into even chapters, this book has an easy going flow that allows the reader to quickly turn the page and get lost in David’s journey.
This story is so much more that a mountain climbing expedition. The Altitude Journals portrays the realness of extreme mountain climbing. It describes the natural beauty and dangers that nature possesses; it offers raw honesty and wisdom gained by a man who is absorbing life with a completely new appreciation and is rewarded with breathtaking views along the way that not a lot people get to see from the world. This story sheds some humor on post-divorce life and describes how critical it is to be a good listener and to live more in the present. Saying all that, I rate this autobiography a 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend this book to anyone who loves travel, adventure, and inspiring real life stories. David Mauro is your guy next door who writes in a such a way that reconnects to the human soul.
******
The Altitude Journals
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4 out of 4 stars
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- David Mauro, pg. 344What you are afraid of is failing to become everything you were born to be in this life.
What is life but an epic and wild adventure? The Altitude Journals: A Seven-Year Journey from the Lowest Point in My Life to the Highest Point on Earth by David Mauro, is a true story where Mr. Mauro experiences a midlife crisis in his forties and starts a journey of self-discovery. This book recounts the true events of David’s life; starting from rock bottom, with ending a marriage with someone whom he shares two sons with, to the highest point in his life with a new woman and a self-discovery of believing in himself again. Expanding over seven years, David sets out on an international adventure of a lifetime, encountering glaciers, dangerous and wild forests, cannibals, and ends up being one of the few people in the world to climb the seven summits, from Denali in Alaska all the way to making it to the top of the world on Mt. Everest in Nepal.
Going through a divorce and living with his sister, David’s seven year journey begins when his brother-in-law, Ty, calls and invites him to climb Denali, also known as Mount McKinley, the highest peak in North America. With nothing left to lose, David accepts the invitation while having no mountain climbing experience whatsoever. The adventure itself was a wake up call for David and it put him on a path to climbing other mountains as well. Along the way David not only meets people from all over the world, he learns from each venture and applies it to his life. From online dating and navigating a post-divorce lifestyle, while attempting to be present for his two sons, as well as participating in improv on the side with the famous comedian Ryan Stiles himself. A whole new chapter of “life” opens up for David that he never envisioned was possible.
What is really captivating about this book is that David portrays each climb in such vivid descriptions. The writing really draws the reader in and paints a vision that is breathtaking and true. David also has his own website featuring The Altitude Journals where people can look at his pictures from each climb, as well as read the blog articles that Mr. Mauro writes during each climb, which allows the reader to capture a surreal moment of climbing the mountains with David. Another mesmerizing aspect of The Altitude Journals is the insight that David gains from each climb and brings into his day-to day life. He figures out methods to handle his demons and with each climb, David absorbs some new wisdom and applies it to his life. David is very open about his feelings throughout this book and it really resonates throughout the seven years. From dealing with issues about his biological father to learning how to be open and vulnerable again after going through a divorce. David’s vulnerability and raw honesty makes this story all the more mesmerizing and intriguing to read.
Mr. Mauro is not only a beginner mountain climber, but also a Certified Financial Planner, who also writes for Adventures Northwest magazine. All in all, David is a regular guy who lives in Bellingham, Washington and is living proof that you can achieve goals you never thought possible. The tone of this book is humorous at times with a heartfelt appreciation for the world we live in. Organized into even chapters, this book has an easy going flow that allows the reader to quickly turn the page and get lost in David’s journey.
This story is so much more that a mountain climbing expedition. The Altitude Journals portrays the realness of extreme mountain climbing. It describes the natural beauty and dangers that nature possesses; it offers raw honesty and wisdom gained by a man who is absorbing life with a completely new appreciation and is rewarded with breathtaking views along the way that not a lot people get to see from the world. This story sheds some humor on post-divorce life and describes how critical it is to be a good listener and to live more in the present. Saying all that, I rate this autobiography a 4 out of 4 stars and would recommend this book to anyone who loves travel, adventure, and inspiring real life stories. David Mauro is your guy next door who writes in a such a way that reconnects to the human soul.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like _bbell's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
