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Between a Rock and a Hard Place Review

Aron Ralston's book may well have saved my life and my husband's life in the same canyon system where he effected the most amazing and heroic of self rescues by amputating his own arm to escape BlueJohn Canyon. While as 'seasoned' citizens, neither my husband or I are into extreme sports like Ralston's canyoneering, much of the Canyonlands National Park (the rest of the National Park system, State and local parks and more)is readily accessible and restoring to the rest of us. We got lost, spent an overnight alone with a mountain lion, and in late morning found ourselves without water at the same spot that Ralston eventually found a Dutch family to help him. We relied on insight from his book to make wise decisions that -- along with the Artist in Resident who found us and the Park Ranger he called -- allow me to sit at my desk and write this review ten months later. The book is a good read in the safety of your own home, as story of inspiration on the metaphorically level for getting through difficult emotional problems so prevalent in our current political, economic, job situation and all the stresser of every day life. We all find ourselves between the proverbial rock and hard place and some of us may have to make financial, familial, and/or interpersonal decisions just as extreme as Ralston's decision to saw off his own arm with a generic multi-purpose tool. (I gave my husband a Swiss Army knife and a camelback (hydration system) for Christmas -- just in case our next stroll in the park goes as badly as the last.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place Feature

ISBN13: 9780743492829
Condition: New
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Between a Rock and a Hard Place Overview

One of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told -- Aron Ralston's searing account of his six days trapped in one of the most remote spots in America, and how one inspired act of bravery brought him home.

It started out as a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands on a warm Saturday afternoon. For Aron Ralston, a twenty-seven-year-old mountaineer and outdoorsman, a walk into the remote Blue John Canyon was a chance to get a break from a winter of solo climbing Colorado's highest and toughest peaks. He'd earned this weekend vacation, and though he met two charming women along the way, by early afternoon he finally found himself in his element: alone, with just the beauty of the natural world all around him.

It was 2:41 P.M. Eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, Aron was climbing down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly, and terrifyingly, came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall.

And so began six days of hell for Aron Ralston. With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an 800-pound boulder 100 feet down in the bottom of a canyon. As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that.

What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. (For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.) The knowledge of their love kept Aron Ralston alive, until a divine inspiration on Thursday morning solved the riddle of the boulder. Aron then committed the most extreme act imaginable to save himself.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place -- a brilliantly written, funny, honest, inspiring, and downright astonishing report from the line where death meets life -- will surely take its place in the annals of classic adventure stories.

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Customer Reviews

Excellent Read - Kelly Poovey - Maiden, NC
This was a well written and intriquing story. Nevermind that the fellow made a mistake. I forgive him of that. We all make mistakes. What was so compelling was just the story of how the human spirit can overcome dire circumstances. I recommend this to anyone who has the least interest in hiking, canyoneering, climbing and in general, outdoor sports of that nature. Once I got to about page 75 or so, it was very hard to put the book down.

Read the 1- 2-star reviews for what it's really like. - requin - Massachusetts
Do not be swayed by the 5-star reviews. This is a terrible book. Read the 1- and 2-star reviews; they are right on. This book is loaded with self-indulgent filler, 90% of which I skipped. Ralston is a terrible writer. He is egotistical and stupid getting into the situation he was in.

For a book that you won't be able to put down, try "Touching the Void" by Jon Simpson. There you have an example of an adventurer who's true, incredible story is compellingly told. Amazing story.

Great book! - Stealthhiker - CA USA
Written in the same gritty retrospective style used by Jon Krakauer in his first person account of the tragedy on Everest, "Into Thin Air", you will be spellbound by Ralston's description of his 6-day entrapment in Utah's Blue John Canyon. I read this book in a weekend. You will be amazed by this young climber's ingenuity, introspection and resolve to rescue himself. At times uncomfortably detailed (as when he describes how he had to amputate his hand), you will feel you are right there in that remote canyon with him during his ordeal. I used the book as the basis for a team building exercise with my staff at work. Ralston now does motivational speaking. Check out YouTube video..

*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 21, 2010 00:15:08

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Wednesday, October 20, 2010