Jim happened to pick this up clearance at REI. This is a collection of short stories of either his personal travel or adventures, or of those he knows. Some of the stories were so fantastic it was hard to believe. Though the stories were extraordinary in themselves, they were skillfully writen to draw you in. I can't wait to pick up more of his stuff
I absolutely cannot get enough of John Long's work. The short story form is perfect, in fact, some could be expanded, but "less is more" and each & every story leaves me in awe for multiple reasons. Far beyond the adventure, courage & discovery, there is abundant spirit & soul through literally every paragraph.
I've only read two (this, and "Dirt", which features several of the same stories), I probably don't need a technical analysis of climbing, but nonetheless, I'll be digging deeper for more. I googled John, apparently he is 75 yrs old, and I hope he's still writing somehow, somewhere. So much to share, stories & prospective. A true, authentic voice.
Adventuring your thing ? These tales are about as good as they get. Well written and utterly astounding stories of an array of fascinating characters and adventures from around the world. Some being completely mind boggling and simply beyond the pale. Sit down, buckle up and let yourself just get taken away. 5 solid stars for sheer fun and a fair bit of terror!!
28 stories in this slim volume, each one a gem. Packed with adrenalin, humanity, and exotic adventure, the author has lived several lifetimes worth of life on the edge. Highly enjoyable.
Maybe 4.5 stars. John Long... how in hell the guy survived I don't know. Skill, luck, force of will all needed in spades. But cheers to surviving and putting pen to paper with eloquence and spare prose capturing so many extreme fringe personas in tight short non-fiction pieces. Further reflection, deserves the full 5 stars. Long doesn't let truth get in the way of good stories. Or..., truth could actually have been more extreme still.
Mix of stories from Long's unusual experiences. His nomadic lifestyle is curious and leans toward adrenaline junkie. Good read for climbers, adventure-sport enthusiasts, and exotic travelers.
I was still climbing back in '04. John Long was always my most favorite climbing author--short story wise. The tubing in Venezuela and the "royal brisket", oh yeah!