Aron is a decent adventure writer, particularly for a novice writer. Fortunately for Aron he made it this far in life to tell of the remarkable events in the canyon. Mr. Ralston is prone to accomplishment for accomplishment's sake, but his race to capture and "bag" peaks was often wasted by careless vanity and an irrational quest for numerosity and self-glory. Worst of all, Ralston drags others down in his suspect voyeurism, like the two experienced climbers who followed him into avalanche country on a backcounrty ski experience. Although Ralston seems to have learned almost nothing post-accident, his wise, intuitive, and inspiring acts when trapped in a most hopeless situation exemplify how we all long to live and long to choose life above all esle. One only hopes that he has learned something from the experience and will seek peace in other things that matter, like forming meaningful human relationships, respecting the land, and drawing the type of courage that can only come from knowing when to call it quits.

Aron is a decent adventure writer, particularly for a novice writer. Fortunately for Aron he made it this far in life to tell of the remarkable events in the canyon. Mr. Ralston is prone to accomplishment for accomplishment's sake, but his race to capture and "bag" peaks was often wasted by careless vanity and an irrational quest for numerosity and self-glory. Worst of all, Ralston drags others down in his suspect voyeurism, like the two experienced climbers who followed him into avalanche country on a backcounrty ski experience. Although Ralston seems to have learned almost nothing post-accident, his wise, intuitive, and inspiring acts when trapped in a most hopeless situation exemplify how we all long to live and long to choose life above all esle. One only hopes that he has learned something from the experience and will seek peace in other things that matter, like forming meaningful human relationships, respecting the land, and drawing the type of courage that can only come from knowing when to call it quits.

"It's not what you do, it's who you are." I know a lot of people like Aron. They live very exciting lives, but they always wind up gettting hurt. We all have choices and life is what you make of it. When you fall down, get back up. If you write a book - please focus on the important things. If you set out to prove something - prove it to yourself. Don't make the same mistakes twice and really think about what you're doing before something bad happens. And when someone says they will meet up with you later and they don't, please WORRY about them. Everyone should get out there and experience life, but if you're going to do it alone don't do anything stupid. There are lots of things to learn from Aron's story. And after all that he has done he still seems very positive about life. I think that is the most important thing about the book. Lots of fluff, but an inspiration nonetheless.

"It's not what you do, it's who you are." I know a lot of people like Aron. They live very exciting lives, but they always wind up gettting hurt. We all have choices and life is what you make of it. When you fall down, get back up. If you write a book - please focus on the important things. If you set out to prove something - prove it to yourself. Don't make the same mistakes twice and really think about what you're doing before something bad happens. And when someone says they will meet up with you later and they don't, please WORRY about them. Everyone should get out there and experience life, but if you're going to do it alone don't do anything stupid. There are lots of things to learn from Aron's story. And after all that he has done he still seems very positive about life. I think that is the most important thing about the book. Lots of fluff, but an inspiration nonetheless.

What I liked about the book was that it contains some practical life saving advice, like the idea of carrying the water in your mouth instead of swallowing it to moisture the airways.

A started reading at the point were he had his epihany of actually breaking his bone instead of trying to cut it and could not put it down from then on. Embarassing to say I even shed a few tears during the reunification with his family, but I guess only a family man could feel that way :)

Oliver Fritsch
Author of VocationLab: Find your Purpose in Life!

What I liked about the book was that it contains some practical life saving advice, like the idea of carrying the water in your mouth instead of swallowing it to moisture the airways.

A started reading at the point were he had his epihany of actually breaking his bone instead of trying to cut it and could not put it down from then on. Embarassing to say I even shed a few tears during the reunification with his family, but I guess only a family man could feel that way :)

Oliver Fritsch
Author of VocationLab: Find your Purpose in Life!

I'll give this guy a break because it's a rare person who goes and writes a nearly professional book by himself about his own story. He needed a better editor is what he needed.

I found the interspersed bits to be a bit annoying because they broke the flow. But those bits are easy to skip over, and one can find where the tale picks up again. A good editor should have let him know that. But each one was well written of itself. He's a talented writer, just not experienced yet. But even that's not a fair comment. Even experienced writers like JK Rowling lose it without good editing. (Witness the last interminable potboiler, nearly lacking in humor from the Harry Potter series.) So I lay what flaws are there on the editors.

As a result, he comes off as a bit of a slow learner and self centered to those who are distant from such things. But I don't think that's real or fair. For those who have never been into such risk taking and challenges, it all must seem rather stupid and harebrained. But really it isn't so - no more than injuries sustained boxing, or in gymnastics, or even football (American football) or rugby. All those sports require facing serious dangers and a pretty much everyone who plays them gets hurt, often quite badly. Some get crippled or die. But people still love to play, and will go running back out there as long as they can.

That's how I read his interspersed accounts. It was his way of saying, "This is my sport, and I love it." He wouldn't have it differently even if it kills him, and he knows that it kills some like him every year. So, sure, I no longer have the impulse to get up and risk my life in ice and snow and wind. But I've risked it, and recieved serious injury from gymnastics and bicycling.

It's a very well written and honest story from someone who went to the edge of dying and came back by the skin of his teeth. I don't think he's "stuck on himself" at all. He's a fun loving young guy who has made a life for himself that he loves, with good friends. Not for everyone, but what is? How many people want to get in the boxing ring? How many want to do rings bad enough to do it?

What is life without some risk? This guy was very experienced. He did a short day hike that should have been no big deal at all. Got snagged on a freak boulder.

And cut off his hand.

Most of us would have died.

I'll give this guy a break because it's a rare person who goes and writes a nearly professional book by himself about his own story. He needed a better editor is what he needed.

I found the interspersed bits to be a bit annoying because they broke the flow. But those bits are easy to skip over, and one can find where the tale picks up again. A good editor should have let him know that. But each one was well written of itself. He's a talented writer, just not experienced yet. But even that's not a fair comment. Even experienced writers like JK Rowling lose it without good editing. (Witness the last interminable potboiler, nearly lacking in humor from the Harry Potter series.) So I lay what flaws are there on the editors.

As a result, he comes off as a bit of a slow learner and self centered to those who are distant from such things. But I don't think that's real or fair. For those who have never been into such risk taking and challenges, it all must seem rather stupid and harebrained. But really it isn't so - no more than injuries sustained boxing, or in gymnastics, or even football (American football) or rugby. All those sports require facing serious dangers and a pretty much everyone who plays them gets hurt, often quite badly. Some get crippled or die. But people still love to play, and will go running back out there as long as they can.

That's how I read his interspersed accounts. It was his way of saying, "This is my sport, and I love it." He wouldn't have it differently even if it kills him, and he knows that it kills some like him every year. So, sure, I no longer have the impulse to get up and risk my life in ice and snow and wind. But I've risked it, and recieved serious injury from gymnastics and bicycling.

It's a very well written and honest story from someone who went to the edge of dying and came back by the skin of his teeth. I don't think he's "stuck on himself" at all. He's a fun loving young guy who has made a life for himself that he loves, with good friends. Not for everyone, but what is? How many people want to get in the boxing ring? How many want to do rings bad enough to do it?

What is life without some risk? This guy was very experienced. He did a short day hike that should have been no big deal at all. Got snagged on a freak boulder.

And cut off his hand.

Most of us would have died.

In this Publishers Weekly bestseller, Aron Ralston (a then 27-year old rock climber) relates to us one of the most extraordinary survival stories ever written. He tells the story of being trapped in an isolated Blue John Canyon while facing death. His incredible memoir is told in first person with the author showing humor, inspiration, and honesty. Ralston gives a detailed account of his survival ordeal while in the deep and narrow canyon. He didn't know that this would be the beginning of his six days of hell.

The accident happened while he was hiking in Utah. Ralston went on the trek alone without informing any of his friends. This was going to be his chance to become a better solo climber. It was about 2:41 p.m. and he was eight miles from his truck. He climbed down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling 800-pound stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall. With very little water, and not enough food, Aron was about to begin what was to be the worst nightmare he had ever experienced.


Now what would you do when if you were faced with something like this? Would you just die hanging there from dehydration or starvation? Ralston made the ultimate and most extreme act to save his life...he gave up his arm? This was a remarkable book. It is destined to become a classic adventure story! I can't believe I read the whole thing! It amazed me!! I don't think I could have made that kind of sacrifice.

Readincolor Reviewer
Rosie

In this Publishers Weekly bestseller, Aron Ralston (a then 27-year old rock climber) relates to us one of the most extraordinary survival stories ever written. He tells the story of being trapped in an isolated Blue John Canyon while facing death. His incredible memoir is told in first person with the author showing humor, inspiration, and honesty. Ralston gives a detailed account of his survival ordeal while in the deep and narrow canyon. He didn't know that this would be the beginning of his six days of hell.

The accident happened while he was hiking in Utah. Ralston went on the trek alone without informing any of his friends. This was going to be his chance to become a better solo climber. It was about 2:41 p.m. and he was eight miles from his truck. He climbed down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling 800-pound stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall. With very little water, and not enough food, Aron was about to begin what was to be the worst nightmare he had ever experienced.


Now what would you do when if you were faced with something like this? Would you just die hanging there from dehydration or starvation? Ralston made the ultimate and most extreme act to save his life...he gave up his arm? This was a remarkable book. It is destined to become a classic adventure story! I can't believe I read the whole thing! It amazed me!! I don't think I could have made that kind of sacrifice.

Readincolor Reviewer
Rosie