All I can say is wow! Though I love survival shows I've found myself occasionally mocking Grylls over the years for taking more dangerous routes down All I can say is wow! Though I love survival shows I've found myself occasionally mocking Grylls over the years for taking more dangerous routes down a mountain than he needed to or for the time he got busted sleeping in a local hotel with his family. However, I can honestly admit that I underestimated the man. This was an impressive autobiography.
Aha Moment #1: what impressed me most about Grylls' life is how humble and how spiritual he is. I'm not saying he's perfect, but he has this uncanny humility that was striking, especially given how much he has accomplished in his short life thus far. Also, he identifies himself as Christian and seems to draw a lot of strength from his belief system. I admire that.
Aha Moment #2: just as someone like Dean Karnazes or Lance Armstrong have these crazy superhuman powers (lactic acid production decreases after warming up & high V02 Max, respectively) I get the feeling that Grylls also has some superhuman powers of his own. But, rather than being physical, I believe that his are cognitive and emotional. He seems to be wired in such a way that he gets bored when unchallenged, but thrives when things get difficult. From his Special Forces training to his mountaineering exploits to the way he challenges himself on his show, Grylls knows how to fight when things get tough!
Overall: this autobiography has heart, tons of adventure, great detail in the stories, grit, and a lot to be inspired by. Highly recommended!...more
I went into this book expecting adventure, trip debriefs, exultation at the joy of caving, instruction, etc. While some of these things existed in theI went into this book expecting adventure, trip debriefs, exultation at the joy of caving, instruction, etc. While some of these things existed in the book it's more abstract than that. Hurd uses the voids in the earth as a metaphor for the voids we face through the grieving process. Throughout this book she explores her feelings of losing a close friend to cancer just as she is navigating the hollow places of the earth. Along with this exploration comes a lot of metaphor and spirituality. I certainly appreciated these ideas and found many of them quite interesting. It just isn't what I was looking for, ultimately....more
I've been interested in evolutionary biology lately, for whatever reason. Ridley shares some interesting history and science in this book but it was hI've been interested in evolutionary biology lately, for whatever reason. Ridley shares some interesting history and science in this book but it was hard for me to get in to. It was definitely easier to swallow than Richard Dawkins' "The Selfish Gene" but it wasn't as accessible as I was hoping. Nevertheless, I definitely learned some new information and was intrigued by some of Ridley's anecdotal research....more
I'd seen this book referenced elsewhere and figured I should check it out. The subject matter isn't something I'd normally pursue but I found it prettI'd seen this book referenced elsewhere and figured I should check it out. The subject matter isn't something I'd normally pursue but I found it pretty interesting. As a psychotherapist I remember looking at studies in college that questioned whether smiley babies had higher self-esteem because they garnered more positive attention and affection from others. This book seemed to be the counterpart for these studies, but in the natural world. The overall thesis is the question: How do various plant species benefit from what they offer the user? I believe in a divine creator who also uses the science of evolution within plants to slowly evolve over time to give us that which we need. The more effective these plants can "market" their offerings, the more they will be taken, replanted, and ensure the survival of their species. Overall this is a pretty fascinating concept. Pollan did an excellent job of fleshing out this phenomenon and giving concrete examples from nature....more
Interesting back-story behind Winnie The Pooh. I was impressed by Potter's love of animals, her scientific acumen, and how she got started by doing liInteresting back-story behind Winnie The Pooh. I was impressed by Potter's love of animals, her scientific acumen, and how she got started by doing little illustrations to children who were sick to brighten their day. She certainly possessed a gift....more
Meh, this book was ok.It does in fact chronicle Strayed's journey along the PCT and her own healing process. The writing was fine. The story was fine.Meh, this book was ok.It does in fact chronicle Strayed's journey along the PCT and her own healing process. The writing was fine. The story was fine. It delivers what it promises.
I just found myself constantly frustrated with how inept Strayed was as a thru-hiker. As someone who has spent an inordinate amount of time living off of what I haul on my back into the back-country, I wished that she would have put more time into preparing and taking this commitment seriously. Luckily, she learned a lot as she went along.
If you're not a backpacker or thru-hiker you probably won't be bothered by the details. You'll likely enjoy the story. But if you are, be forewarned. The story is ok for story' sake. But this is far from a primer in thru-hiking. And that's ok. It's not meant to be....more
I live in the West Desert of Utah 2 days every week, year round. My job duties require this. When I first accepted this job, after living near lush GlI live in the West Desert of Utah 2 days every week, year round. My job duties require this. When I first accepted this job, after living near lush Glacier National Park in NW Montana, I wasn't looking forward to going in to this bleak and barren landscape. However, what I have found has amazed me. I've since come to find great tranquility in the desert's endless vistas (even bigger than in Big Sky country), amazing sunrises and sunsets, and a peace and solitude equal to that of any rugged mountain range. The howl of coyotes puts me gently to sleep in the desert just as it did in GNP.
Abbey does a fantastic job in Desert Solitaire of capturing the beauty, the simplicity, and the soul-restoring majesty of the desert. He puts into words what I feel each and every time I sit on a rock escarpment overlooking this vast landscape. My favorite parts of the books were his adventures in to the "Maze" and his river adventure down the Colorado before it was dammed up. Having spent a lot of time on rivers I felt like I was there enjoying the wonder and excitement he felt while fishing for his daily meal and exploring lonely side canyons along the way. His adventures in the Maze remind me of exploring tight slot canyons with friends over the years.
With my current job I spend a lot of time around campfires of juniper and sage. My favorite quote in the book is: "The odor of burning juniper is the sweetest fragrance on the face of the earth, in my honest judgment; I doubt if all the smoking censers of Dante's paradise could equal it. One breath of juniper smoke, like the perfume of sagebrush after rain, evokes in magical catalysis, like certain music, the space and light and clarity and piercing strangeness of the American West. Long may it burn."
There are times in this book that Abbey gets stuck on political rants about the commercialization of national parks. It struck me several years ago, while entering Zion National Park, that I resented paying for a park pass when I've already paid for park access through my taxes. I got over it quickly as I reflected on the many park improvements I've seen in Zion over the years and how talented their canyoneering/climbing rescue team has become. So, while I can somewhat relate to Abbey's demonization of the government and National Park Service, I wish he could have lived long enough to see how the system strangely works somehow.
Abbey's favorite rant is about the laziness of tourists, especially Americans. I've often shared these feelings while in Zion NP. More specifically, I have felt sorry for the 90% of tourists who drive through ZNP or Arches NP and don't walk more than 100 yards from their vehicle. My greatest memories in most national parks have required backbreaking sweat and toil to get into the backcountry but have been more than worth it. Rather than complaining about the tourists' laziness, I think Abbey should have been grateful for their laziness since the byproduct of such is having the peace and solitude in the backcountry all to himself!
Again, I wasn't a big fan of Abbey's political rants. Nevertheless, I feel that this book fully deserves a 5-star rating for how well Abbey has captured the stark beauty and magic of the wild desert landscape. This book made me even more grateful than I already was for the time I get to spend in this amazing part of the country!...more
I've been a huge fan of Childs ever since I read the Secret Knowledge of Water. He has a way of telling stories that are so captivating that you can'tI've been a huge fan of Childs ever since I read the Secret Knowledge of Water. He has a way of telling stories that are so captivating that you can't put the book down until you're done. I love how he weaves a spiritual respect for nature & wildlife into his stories. And I really appreciate how varied his past experience has been.
This book had two firsts from my experience with Childs. Number one; this was the first book I've read from him in which he shared a lot of background about his family. He told stories about his mother, his upbringing, and even his own family. I enjoyed that.
Second, this was the first time I feel that Childs has truly taken the helm in the role of expert. In particular, the role of someone who understands science. Don't get me wrong, he certainly has moments of this in each of his other books. But this was the first book I've read from him in which this felt like the predominant role. The only downside to this is that I didn't feel as much of his role as storyteller in this book. It felt less exploratory and more commanding. This isn't necessarily a bad thing since there is a place for this. It's just not what draws me to Child's work. That being said I still found this book fascinating and highly recommend it to anyone interested in the natural wonders of this earth....more
Utterly amazing! Childs possesses a gift for weaving naturalist writing with a spiritual-esque poetic narrative. I found myself in the back canyons ofUtterly amazing! Childs possesses a gift for weaving naturalist writing with a spiritual-esque poetic narrative. I found myself in the back canyons of the desert or high in strange Colorado mountain peaks gazing at creatures with an intensity and understanding as if I were one of their kind. Having read this book I will forever look through new eyes during my encounters with wild animals....more
I run in to grizzly bears on the trail sometimes while hiking in Glacier National Park. They always bound off in to the forest as they tend to be soliI run in to grizzly bears on the trail sometimes while hiking in Glacier National Park. They always bound off in to the forest as they tend to be solitary creatures. Nevertheless these moments always leave me with a sense of wonder and appreciation for these terrifyingly beautiful creatures.
Having read 2 scientific books about grizzly bears and their habitat I was impressed with how accurate ETS's information in this story was. It was fun to be able to step in to the life of a grizzly, see what he sees, and feel what he might feel....more
Genius in its scope. Mediocre in its presentation.
Considered a "hard science" sci-fi novel Evolution takes on a momentous task which spans millions ofGenius in its scope. Mediocre in its presentation.
Considered a "hard science" sci-fi novel Evolution takes on a momentous task which spans millions of years and documents the purported events that have shaped human history throughout that time. While Baxter did add fictional characters to enhance these events throughout various time periods it still reads like a science textbook. For lovers of fictional sci-fi the last third of the novel may be the most interesting....more
I run in to grizzly bears from time to time while hiking in Glacier National Park, 30 minutes from my home. Though they normally just turn tail and ruI run in to grizzly bears from time to time while hiking in Glacier National Park, 30 minutes from my home. Though they normally just turn tail and run away from me, I thought this would be a good book to help me better understand these lumbering creatures that share the trail with me.
I'd just read McMilion's book "Mark of the Grizzly" and found it to be loaded with the science of the grizzly bear, its habitat, what to do and not do if you encounter a grizzly in certain situations (e.g. while feeding on carrion, with young, when it is cornered, etc.). This advice was indispensable. Being an animal behaviorist by trade McMilion clearly knows his stuff and wrote from a very objective standpoint.
While I found this book to be engaging and sometimes educational I also felt that the stories were written for a completely different audience; those who want to be entertained. We've all seen those movie clips of salivating grizzlies, thirsting after human flesh, where no tent within 100 miles will go unscathed. That's how this book felt in some regards. And while this creates good entertainment, it's simply not based in reality. I, along with thousands of other tent campers in Glacier National Park (and other grizzly-infested territory) safely cohabit with grizzly bears every year with no harm greater than a crick in our neck from an uncomfortable thermarest ground pad.
So if you're looking for adventure and thrills, grab this book. If you're looking to truly understand the grizzly bear, grab McMilion's Mark of the Grizzly....more
From a historical perspective this is a valuable piece of writing. From a literary perspective this is chloroform in print. Very slow and difficult maFrom a historical perspective this is a valuable piece of writing. From a literary perspective this is chloroform in print. Very slow and difficult material to engage with. However, the history was enough to keep me going....more
I absolutely loved this book! It held my attention from the beginning to the end. I enjoyed the history, back story, anthropological discussions, and I absolutely loved this book! It held my attention from the beginning to the end. I enjoyed the history, back story, anthropological discussions, and the resolution. A great read!...more
I really enjoy a good survival story. Those that take place in the tropics bring along with them a savage quality that most wouldn't expect to find inI really enjoy a good survival story. Those that take place in the tropics bring along with them a savage quality that most wouldn't expect to find in such a paradise. Complete with jungle rot, dysentery, malaria, cannibalistic tribes, and high heat and humidity these books always make me grateful for the cautious side of me that keeps me from embarking on such an adventure.
The twists and turns in this story were, at times, less dramatic than expected. And, at times, they really surprised me. I came to enjoy the various members of the exploration party and the style of the story telling. The skeptical side of me wondered if his wife (who authored the story) embellished at all to sell more copies. But, if she didn't, the story is that much more miraculous. As a Christian I enjoyed the spiritual themes throughout and how these experiences strengthened his faith.
If you like survival stories this is a must-read!...more
A tough story to read but a tough book to put down. Many things had to come together perfectly for the survival of some of the characters. I learned aA tough story to read but a tough book to put down. Many things had to come together perfectly for the survival of some of the characters. I learned a lot about the region and culture the story took place in. This book was utterly amazing in its scope....more
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