Push the Rock: Second Chances on the Road to Kilimanjaro

by R.W. Long

Living the American Dream at the pinnacle of his life, R.W. Long had it all: a loving family, a promising career, and a multitude of blessings. All of this was cut short with the diagnosis of an incurable disease. In the prime of life, he lost nearly everything he had worked for and felt he was given a life sentence and incarcerated in his own body—a body that no longer obeyed his commands and that would fail him in new ways daily.

For eight years, the struggle wore him down, nearly to the point of no return. Then came the phone call in the dead of night from a war-torn country half a world away.

“Dad, I don’t think I’m going to make it out of here alive.”

These words set in motion the most important mission of Long’s life: Learning to walk again in order to meet his son. What was once considered an impossibility was transformed into a goal and a mission.

Set against the backdrop of the quest for Kilimanjaro’s summit, Push the Rock is the true story of faith, second chances, and the power of family to overcome life’s greatest challenges. 

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2015

About the author

R.W. Long spent years learning how to live in a body that wouldn't cooperate. Motivated by the love of his family and driven by his faith in God, he was able to forge a new life of unlimited possibilities. Long, the father of two Marines, lives in Colorado with his wife and dog where spending time with family, climbing mountains, training for endurance events, and seeking ways to help others find their first summit are his passions.

Reviews

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read about climbing Kilimanjaro, which is there, but actually got the author's whole life story. Fortunately, it was inspiring and certainly raises the bar. The author, a devout Christian and family man, was stricken with Parkinson's disease in his mid-thirties which derailed his career. The effort and time it took for him to address the illness and find his path forward finally leads to the trip to Africa and to Kilimanjaro. Meanwhile, life happens and this book also covers his sons' military service especially the older one who returns from his tours of duty to find difficulty in re-integrating in society. This book is a great read for 1) overcoming physical adversity; 2) parents dealing with having family members in combat zones; 3) Christian faith and taking action on that faith; and 4) an account about an Africa trip that includes Kilimanjaro and a safari (no animals were harmed--it wasn't that type of safari). Reading this has certainly set my bar higher for hiking. If he can do 26 miles in a day (not on a mountain), I should certainly be able to crank half that out with training. This is very inspiring, and I don't have any major illnesses nor am I Christian.

[Barbara Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this book while my friend Sidney was making his own climb up KJO. While much of the book is about the man's struggles with Parkinson's and his religious faith, the book does give a solid picture of what the climb was like (which is what I wanted). Advice to people thinking about making the climb. It takes more training and physical endurance than you expect!

[Ashley Goffinet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was truly inspirational. You don’t have to be Christian, a hiker, or in the military to appreciate his struggle and devotion to his family, cause, and self. This book brought me to tears in more than one chapter.

[Bruce Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

God driven

Excellent read, inspiring and written very well. Anyone with a challenge or trial in their life needs to read this.

[Angie Eason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Need a lift? Pick up this book and be encouraged, entertained, and reminded that there are wonderful people in the world and that God still does great things.

[Suzanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational!

Best Kilimanjaro book! I start my climb today and I am grateful to have finished this book in the wee hours of the morning before I join my group to begin our own trek up the mountain. This story has given me a fresh and focused perspective and I am grateful to have read this amazing story of faith and purpose.

[Thad Forester · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivating, heart-felt, passionate and spiritual are some of the words I'd use to describe RW Long's book. I was captivated the entire time, from his life as a young father, to the feeling of being a prisoner in his own body, to pleading with God to protect his son while deployed, and then to the long road of pushing himself each day to overcome his trial. He sets the perfect example for setting a goal (even many goals) and accomplishing them. But more importantly, he recognized his mission in God's eyes, and he's continuing to accomplish it. Well done. Much respect and admiration. Fantastic book that should not only be an Amazon Best Seller, but also a New York Times Best Seller.

As a side note, I first met RW Long as he was training in the hills of Alabama. We walked many miles together after that day and we discussed his mission and goals. He's never waivered.

[Sherri Tobias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Push the Rock: Second Chances on the Road to Kilimanjaro by R.W. Long was a compelling and inspiring story. While I initially read it because I also live with the challenge of Parkinson's disease, anyone who faces seemingly insurmountable challenges in their life will find connections to Long's struggles, failures, and triumphs as he and his family deal with the challenges life deals them.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book mainly because it looked interesting and a family member had Parkinsons, but at a later age. This man was quite remarkable in overcoming his illness. His love of family and his faith helped him to regain his life. Michael Fox has several organizations which help those with this disease lead healthier lives. The book is very interesting.

[Nancy Schober · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful overcoming adversity story.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

A heart felt story of a man's battle with an incurable disease. Read about he overcame his self doubt with make it to the other side.