Growing up in central Wisconsin is synonymous with growing up on flat ground and in oxygen-rich air. At age sixteen I faced my first uphill climb; the emotional battle of coping with the loss of my father. At thirty-six years of age Hodgkin's Lymphoma claimed his life. His death was a wake-up call for me that life can be short. Eleven years later, I became a father. The day occurred six weeks earlier than expected. The fragility of life was once again revealing itself. During my premature son's hospital stay I picked up a book about Mount Everest. Although I had never climbed before, my dream to stand on top of the world was sparked within after reading that book. I didn't exactly know how or when but I knew that I would go to that mountain. Within all of us resides a vision, a defined quest in life. It is a unique purpose, waiting to be unlocked. Twelve years after my vision occurred, I became one of less than four thousand people in the world to reach its highest point.
In a word - brilliant! A book that tells of an amazing expedition with no holes barred - exactly how it happened. A truly inspirational guy who has managed to write a truly insprational book. It makes you realise that if you put you mind to something you can achieve it with enough strong will, determination, being a team player and having a good sense of humour. I look forward to any additional installments.
Excellent read. I enjoyed the book alot, it is a quick read with great detail and descriptions. It is definetly about the Trek up Everest but that is not the true story of this book, it is about over coming all the obstacles that tell you "no" and pushing on and upward to complete a dream. This is a great book for any out door enthusiast.
