Review by Abacus -- The Altitude Journals by David J Mauro
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Review by Abacus -- 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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David J. Mauro’s Altitude Journals tell about a non-sporty guy climbing the Seven Summits; the highest mountains on each continent and learning to deal with a terrible anger that has developed inside him. David has experienced bad karma in his life culminating with the divorce-in-process from Jenny, his wife, and mother of his sons. David tells the story of each mountain; the dependence on others to do the climb, confronting his internal and constant fear of the danger of the mountain, and whether he has the ability to overcome it. David suddenly wants this achievement more than all else. He senses how much it will help him to face the demons in his life and become his own man.
Denali, Mount McKinley, North America (20,320 ft.)
Dave provides an entertaining, self-aware, look at every step it took to climb Denali. He learned that the other climbers would treat him with respect, providing help to the rookie when needed, and not disparage him for needing help. He, in turn, would come to know his part as a member of the team. At the top of Mount Denali David lets go some of his anger, and fights the rock/ice wall ferociously, beyond his strength, and it provides a cleansing sensation for some of his deeply ingrained anger. He learned that getting to the top of the mountain would not cure his demons, but he was able to name them and gather the strength to face them.
Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Africa (19,410 ft.)
Dave takes up his courage and tries online dating. After an ironic few weeks in which Dave even specifies his partners' height, and nearly misses out on meeting someone special. The system, however, knows better and pops up Lin's name often, and they start dating. They progress far enough that Lin tells Dave she loves him. Dave loves Lin, but he is too afraid to say so. It unnerves him so much, that he dreams of Mount Kilimanjaro and decides that it is the next mountain he must climb. To his surprise, Lin tells him to go for it. At the top of Kilimanjaro, Dave has a transcendental experience as dawn comes up and feels the exhilaration of pure love. After going on safari in Africa, Dave equates the beauty and danger in the natural world to love and realizes if one is to love one must take risks, and he finds the courage to tell Lin he loves her.
Elbrus, Russia, Europe (18,513 ft.)
Financial world crisis in 2008 so Dave leaves his job. He is struggling financially; he is paying a large mortgage and child support, and yet he feels that life is speaking to him, and he is drawn to climb Elbrus. He also joins an Improv Group, and it only takes him a few months to become good at it. With Lin’s encouragement, Dave leaves for Mount Elbrus…
Next, Aconcagua, Argentina, South America (22,841 ft.)
Next, Vinson Massif, Antarctica (16,048 ft.)
Next, Carstensz Pyramid, Papua New Guinea, Oceania (16,024 ft.)
Next, Everest, Tibet, Nepal, (29,035 ft.)
I liked each climb, more than the one before. Each has different circumstances and for Dave, different insights to be learned. I liked most Dave’s growing confidence and understanding of the people in his life. I did not like the damage done to the climbers from frostbite, and I liked least of all the stories of brave climbers who died. I am giving this book 4 out of 4 stars because it is filled with fascinating facts about each mountain and each continent. I think Dave’s writing gets better and better throughout the book. I do not give it 3 out of 4 stars because it is a tome of facts, feelings, insights, and never-ending interest.
The Altitude Journals give us a thrilling story of each mountain climb; great for people who like mountaineering, and great for the uninitiated who feel something firsthand they would never have felt. And we cheer David on, as he deals with the mountain climbs and the mountain of anger he has inside.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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4 out of 4 stars
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David J. Mauro’s Altitude Journals tell about a non-sporty guy climbing the Seven Summits; the highest mountains on each continent and learning to deal with a terrible anger that has developed inside him. David has experienced bad karma in his life culminating with the divorce-in-process from Jenny, his wife, and mother of his sons. David tells the story of each mountain; the dependence on others to do the climb, confronting his internal and constant fear of the danger of the mountain, and whether he has the ability to overcome it. David suddenly wants this achievement more than all else. He senses how much it will help him to face the demons in his life and become his own man.
Denali, Mount McKinley, North America (20,320 ft.)
Dave provides an entertaining, self-aware, look at every step it took to climb Denali. He learned that the other climbers would treat him with respect, providing help to the rookie when needed, and not disparage him for needing help. He, in turn, would come to know his part as a member of the team. At the top of Mount Denali David lets go some of his anger, and fights the rock/ice wall ferociously, beyond his strength, and it provides a cleansing sensation for some of his deeply ingrained anger. He learned that getting to the top of the mountain would not cure his demons, but he was able to name them and gather the strength to face them.
Kilimanjaro, Kenya, Africa (19,410 ft.)
Dave takes up his courage and tries online dating. After an ironic few weeks in which Dave even specifies his partners' height, and nearly misses out on meeting someone special. The system, however, knows better and pops up Lin's name often, and they start dating. They progress far enough that Lin tells Dave she loves him. Dave loves Lin, but he is too afraid to say so. It unnerves him so much, that he dreams of Mount Kilimanjaro and decides that it is the next mountain he must climb. To his surprise, Lin tells him to go for it. At the top of Kilimanjaro, Dave has a transcendental experience as dawn comes up and feels the exhilaration of pure love. After going on safari in Africa, Dave equates the beauty and danger in the natural world to love and realizes if one is to love one must take risks, and he finds the courage to tell Lin he loves her.
Elbrus, Russia, Europe (18,513 ft.)
Financial world crisis in 2008 so Dave leaves his job. He is struggling financially; he is paying a large mortgage and child support, and yet he feels that life is speaking to him, and he is drawn to climb Elbrus. He also joins an Improv Group, and it only takes him a few months to become good at it. With Lin’s encouragement, Dave leaves for Mount Elbrus…
Next, Aconcagua, Argentina, South America (22,841 ft.)
Next, Vinson Massif, Antarctica (16,048 ft.)
Next, Carstensz Pyramid, Papua New Guinea, Oceania (16,024 ft.)
Next, Everest, Tibet, Nepal, (29,035 ft.)
I liked each climb, more than the one before. Each has different circumstances and for Dave, different insights to be learned. I liked most Dave’s growing confidence and understanding of the people in his life. I did not like the damage done to the climbers from frostbite, and I liked least of all the stories of brave climbers who died. I am giving this book 4 out of 4 stars because it is filled with fascinating facts about each mountain and each continent. I think Dave’s writing gets better and better throughout the book. I do not give it 3 out of 4 stars because it is a tome of facts, feelings, insights, and never-ending interest.
The Altitude Journals give us a thrilling story of each mountain climb; great for people who like mountaineering, and great for the uninitiated who feel something firsthand they would never have felt. And we cheer David on, as he deals with the mountain climbs and the mountain of anger he has inside.
******
The Altitude Journals
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Abacus's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: Elizabeth's Garden by Phillip Leighton-Daly
