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Mr. Ledbetter's Boots: A Novel
A 95-YEAR-OLD TUSKEGEE AIRMAN intends to become the oldest known person to complete the iconic 40-mile trek to Everest Base Camp.
Raymond Ulysses Ledbetter is an impossibility of humanity. After narrowly surviving the crash of his P-51 Mustang into the Austrian Alps during WWII, then-18-year-old Raymond’s escape from certain death became a thing of legend and launched his 75-year obsession with mountaineering. Now, in defiance of the laws of aging, his sights are set on fulfilling a life-long dream — experiencing Mt. Everest with his own eyes and via his own two feet.
Hiking alongside Raymond through Nepal's mystical Khumbu is young journalist Joe Vogler, who hopes to make his mark in the world of social-justice news. Little does Joe know that Raymond’s old hiking boots hold a historical secret that will turn the adventure on its head.
Raymond Ulysses Ledbetter is an impossibility of humanity. After narrowly surviving the crash of his P-51 Mustang into the Austrian Alps during WWII, then-18-year-old Raymond’s escape from certain death became a thing of legend and launched his 75-year obsession with mountaineering. Now, in defiance of the laws of aging, his sights are set on fulfilling a life-long dream — experiencing Mt. Everest with his own eyes and via his own two feet.
Hiking alongside Raymond through Nepal's mystical Khumbu is young journalist Joe Vogler, who hopes to make his mark in the world of social-justice news. Little does Joe know that Raymond’s old hiking boots hold a historical secret that will turn the adventure on its head.
364 pages, Paperback
Published August 25, 2023
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September 3, 2023
Mr. Ledbetter’s Boots by M. Ernest Johnson was a wonderful read! I have been a fan of Johnson’s writing since reading his wonderful book, Doofus Dad Does Everest Base Camp, chronicling his trek along the Himalayan trail.
In this volume the author tells the story of 95 year old World War 2 veteran (Tuskegee Airmen) Raymond Ledbetter’s quest to hike to Everest Base Camp (EBC) wearing a old pair of boots that hold deep significance for him. Along the way Ray meets a wonderful cast of characters that enrich his adventure, lives are changed in a variety of ways along the Himalayan trail.
I can’t say enough good things about this story, it was wonderfully written and had so much heart. I truly felt like I was right there beside Ray and his companions as they made their way slowly but surely towards their ultimate destination, which in many ways went well beyond EBC, to arrive at their own unique state of being by the end of the book. I hope M. Ernest Johnson continues to write and share his stories with readers, this book holds a special place in my heart as I hope to reach EBC one day as well. Highly recommended!
In this volume the author tells the story of 95 year old World War 2 veteran (Tuskegee Airmen) Raymond Ledbetter’s quest to hike to Everest Base Camp (EBC) wearing a old pair of boots that hold deep significance for him. Along the way Ray meets a wonderful cast of characters that enrich his adventure, lives are changed in a variety of ways along the Himalayan trail.
I can’t say enough good things about this story, it was wonderfully written and had so much heart. I truly felt like I was right there beside Ray and his companions as they made their way slowly but surely towards their ultimate destination, which in many ways went well beyond EBC, to arrive at their own unique state of being by the end of the book. I hope M. Ernest Johnson continues to write and share his stories with readers, this book holds a special place in my heart as I hope to reach EBC one day as well. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 of 1 review