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Deserts to Mountaintops: Our Collective Journey to (re)Claiming Our Voice
In 2011, while on a routine mission for her organization in Somalia, Jessica Buchanan made one seemingly small decision that would change the trajectory of her life. She ignored her intuition, and by doing so, silenced her voice. As a result, she spent 93 days as a hostage to pirates who demanded 45 million dollars for her freedom. On January 25, 2012, Jessica was successfully rescued by SEAL Team Six.
While Jessica’s story is unique, her practice of self-abandonment is not. She has spent the last decade learning how to repair her relationship with her intuition, and through the hard work of reclaiming her voice, Jessica has continued to climb her way out of the desert of self-abandonment to the mountaintop of self-love.
Deserts to Mountaintops, birthed from Jessica’s healing journey, is an anthology of 22 women’s unique accounts of their own desert to mountaintop experiences. Empowering stories of survival, tenacity, and resilience highlight these women’s incredible ability to finally choose themselves. By reclaiming their voice, they show us how to stand in our own infinite power, reminding us why we are here, what we can do, and who we can become.
While Jessica’s story is unique, her practice of self-abandonment is not. She has spent the last decade learning how to repair her relationship with her intuition, and through the hard work of reclaiming her voice, Jessica has continued to climb her way out of the desert of self-abandonment to the mountaintop of self-love.
Deserts to Mountaintops, birthed from Jessica’s healing journey, is an anthology of 22 women’s unique accounts of their own desert to mountaintop experiences. Empowering stories of survival, tenacity, and resilience highlight these women’s incredible ability to finally choose themselves. By reclaiming their voice, they show us how to stand in our own infinite power, reminding us why we are here, what we can do, and who we can become.
- GenresMemoir
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2023
35 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 26, 2024
This book is a compilation of short stories written by women who have overcome personal struggles. I read it on and off over the past year. All the women in this book are empowering and inspirational. I really enjoyed reading this, but it definitely came with a lot of pain and discomfort. It could only handle it in small doses.
Also the main author left me a personalized note (thank you mom). :))
My main grievance is the fact that by the end the stories started to get a little repetitive. “My marriage was going downhill.” Or “I never actually liked my job.” Obviously the repetition doesn’t make any of it less important. But it got a little depressing and blurry.
I recommend to all women!
Also the main author left me a personalized note (thank you mom). :))
My main grievance is the fact that by the end the stories started to get a little repetitive. “My marriage was going downhill.” Or “I never actually liked my job.” Obviously the repetition doesn’t make any of it less important. But it got a little depressing and blurry.
I recommend to all women!
January 25, 2023
The Sound of Resilience was a powerful chapter. It demonstrates the depth and breadth of the author’s experiences and her inner courage. Even despite all her own perceived faults.
I've known the author for quite a few years, but I did not know about all the background of her story. The key message that she repeats: “Never turned down anything but your coat collar”, resonates deeply. Even though there are so many other lessons that can be learned from her story.
Her story is unfortunately, like the story of far too many women and many people who are not in positions of power, the minorities in our present society. They are consistently undervalued, underpaid, underestimated, and they are under respected. In hindsight, she managed to deal with all of that with great aplomb. She improvised, adapted, and overcame. Indeed, she fought like a Marine.
Grit and resilience are her guiding mindset, even though it took its toll on her mental and physical being. This was a lesson that was brought to the foreground as I read through her narrative. Something that I did not really truly believe until much later in my life, when I realize that your existence in toxicity takes an immense toll on your health — mental, intellectual, and physical; even though I knew that reality deep in my subconscious, I denied that reality because of what society and the work culture had ingrained in my psyche. She was much more conscious of that fact; but most importantly, unlike most people, she had the courage to do something about it.
One lesson that blossomed during her narrative is her realization of the Stoics lesson: the dichotomy of control. Essentially, it is: “control what you can control, and don't worry about what you can't control”. In her narrative about a particularly evil boss, she talks about holding a grudge and her belief that the universe will level the karmic disparity. Her admission that her realization of the fact that the great leveling had taken place but in a way that she hadn’t foreseen was a powerful admission. An admission that holding on to all of that vitriol really does nothing, that her basic belief in the fairness of the universe will happen, just not in the way she expected, and in the end all of the grudge holding over something that she could not control was wasted energy. It builds the toxicity in her being and brings her down. I believe, I don't know this for a fact, that the moment she realized that she had ultimately won is the real moment of victory over her own shortcoming. Even as she avows that she still holds grudges, I don't think that it is at that same level.
This is a heartfelt recommendation for this book and for this story because it is a straightforward lesson for all the lost souls out there who are going through self-doubt, denial, mental anguish, and all that comes with living in the vagaries of life. The lesson is that there are no recipes, no formulas, no How-to methods to get through all of these things, because everybody's journey is different, and everybody's journey should be different. It doesn't take a formula or a recipe to overcome all that life has in store for us.
It takes taking a deep breath, and taking every chance that life offers you, to never turn down anything but your coat collar, shutting your eyes, moving boldly into the unknown, taking your chances, making your mistakes, learn from them, and then making brave decision based upon who you are and what you know, because that's the only way to deal with life. Learn to deal with difficult situations and difficult people as they show up in your life, but never turn down an opportunity to experience life.
This story is a shining point of light to all who think: hope is lost, or is in fear of themselves. This is a beacon for all to take inspiration and to be motivated. Even though They don't have the metaphor of singing to inspire them, but I am very sure that the author’s example will inspire many to look uniquely at their own situation and draw inspiration from her experience.
Joan Didion once said: “I write to find out what I think.” This is a powerful example of that quote, we are all better because the author chose to find out what she thought and shared it with us.
I've known the author for quite a few years, but I did not know about all the background of her story. The key message that she repeats: “Never turned down anything but your coat collar”, resonates deeply. Even though there are so many other lessons that can be learned from her story.
Her story is unfortunately, like the story of far too many women and many people who are not in positions of power, the minorities in our present society. They are consistently undervalued, underpaid, underestimated, and they are under respected. In hindsight, she managed to deal with all of that with great aplomb. She improvised, adapted, and overcame. Indeed, she fought like a Marine.
Grit and resilience are her guiding mindset, even though it took its toll on her mental and physical being. This was a lesson that was brought to the foreground as I read through her narrative. Something that I did not really truly believe until much later in my life, when I realize that your existence in toxicity takes an immense toll on your health — mental, intellectual, and physical; even though I knew that reality deep in my subconscious, I denied that reality because of what society and the work culture had ingrained in my psyche. She was much more conscious of that fact; but most importantly, unlike most people, she had the courage to do something about it.
One lesson that blossomed during her narrative is her realization of the Stoics lesson: the dichotomy of control. Essentially, it is: “control what you can control, and don't worry about what you can't control”. In her narrative about a particularly evil boss, she talks about holding a grudge and her belief that the universe will level the karmic disparity. Her admission that her realization of the fact that the great leveling had taken place but in a way that she hadn’t foreseen was a powerful admission. An admission that holding on to all of that vitriol really does nothing, that her basic belief in the fairness of the universe will happen, just not in the way she expected, and in the end all of the grudge holding over something that she could not control was wasted energy. It builds the toxicity in her being and brings her down. I believe, I don't know this for a fact, that the moment she realized that she had ultimately won is the real moment of victory over her own shortcoming. Even as she avows that she still holds grudges, I don't think that it is at that same level.
This is a heartfelt recommendation for this book and for this story because it is a straightforward lesson for all the lost souls out there who are going through self-doubt, denial, mental anguish, and all that comes with living in the vagaries of life. The lesson is that there are no recipes, no formulas, no How-to methods to get through all of these things, because everybody's journey is different, and everybody's journey should be different. It doesn't take a formula or a recipe to overcome all that life has in store for us.
It takes taking a deep breath, and taking every chance that life offers you, to never turn down anything but your coat collar, shutting your eyes, moving boldly into the unknown, taking your chances, making your mistakes, learn from them, and then making brave decision based upon who you are and what you know, because that's the only way to deal with life. Learn to deal with difficult situations and difficult people as they show up in your life, but never turn down an opportunity to experience life.
This story is a shining point of light to all who think: hope is lost, or is in fear of themselves. This is a beacon for all to take inspiration and to be motivated. Even though They don't have the metaphor of singing to inspire them, but I am very sure that the author’s example will inspire many to look uniquely at their own situation and draw inspiration from her experience.
Joan Didion once said: “I write to find out what I think.” This is a powerful example of that quote, we are all better because the author chose to find out what she thought and shared it with us.
January 25, 2023
This book resonates no matter where you are on your journey from the desert to mountain top
The “Great Abandonment” chapter resonated deeply with me. Jess’ transparent writing quickly drew me into her courageous exploration of self-abandonment and challenged me to think through some of my own narratives, which cause me to doubt and bury my intuition, not only in big decisions, but in little ways, day to day. This chapter challenges us as women not to tip toe around or make excuses for our knowing, our intuition, our inner voice – Jess is proof that our freedom and survival depends on it.
The “Great Abandonment” chapter resonated deeply with me. Jess’ transparent writing quickly drew me into her courageous exploration of self-abandonment and challenged me to think through some of my own narratives, which cause me to doubt and bury my intuition, not only in big decisions, but in little ways, day to day. This chapter challenges us as women not to tip toe around or make excuses for our knowing, our intuition, our inner voice – Jess is proof that our freedom and survival depends on it.
January 31, 2023
A reminder that we all have a story and our voices can make a difference!
What a fantastic collection of incredible women who have walked through so many journeys being given a platform to share how they found their voices and reminding those of us out there we also have voices. Having been a woman walking a similar journey I find so much peace and solidarity in knowing I am not alone! I am so thankful that life has brought me to the place I know I belong through the difficult path I walked to get here. Thank you to the beautiful voices I heard in reading this book for sharing your stories!
What a fantastic collection of incredible women who have walked through so many journeys being given a platform to share how they found their voices and reminding those of us out there we also have voices. Having been a woman walking a similar journey I find so much peace and solidarity in knowing I am not alone! I am so thankful that life has brought me to the place I know I belong through the difficult path I walked to get here. Thank you to the beautiful voices I heard in reading this book for sharing your stories!
January 25, 2023
This book is expertly descriptive and emotionally provoking
I have read many empowering stories and books of courageous people who have found their true selves through personal struggles. All are heroes. However, this book struck a chord deep inside me.
It is a must-read, masterclass collection of true stories. It will provoke a plethora of feelings to make you not only appreciate the account and heroism of the writers but to find yourself in some of their stories and make you rethink the way you practice the art of gratitude each day.
I have read many empowering stories and books of courageous people who have found their true selves through personal struggles. All are heroes. However, this book struck a chord deep inside me.
It is a must-read, masterclass collection of true stories. It will provoke a plethora of feelings to make you not only appreciate the account and heroism of the writers but to find yourself in some of their stories and make you rethink the way you practice the art of gratitude each day.
February 13, 2023
Inspiring stories from cover to cover. No two women’s tales are the same, but their resilience and travels in reclaiming their voices share the possibility to all that it can be done and the journey will be all the while worth it.
February 24, 2025
Didn’t really finish it. It was all about women overcoming some form of dysfunction in their past life for their families lives. Was wonderful they were able to do it, but it’s hard reading all those sad sad stories.
January 30, 2023
Great book!
These stories needed to be told. So often we feel that we alone are in these circumstances .These stories help the author and the reader . Very well done.
These stories needed to be told. So often we feel that we alone are in these circumstances .These stories help the author and the reader . Very well done.
February 4, 2025
Beautiful stories by strong women
June 16, 2025
A collection of short narratives (separated into individual chapters) from women discussing their experiences with facing and overcoming adversity. The first vignette is Buchanan's and it felt pretty stilted and forced. She talked about a moment during her kidnapping, as covered in her memoir 'Impossible Odds'. Only it didn't add anything the book hadn't already explored. As for the other vignettes, these were mostly white, middle-class women in their 30s with bland first-world problems like choosing to step-out of your marriage because you're bored and sexually unfulfilled. It was clear Buchanan dipped into her contact list when seeking authors for her book, when she could've sought the input of strangers with more choice stories on the topic of overcoming adversity. The quality of each woman's writing varied, but none of their stories were particularly engaging or inspiring. Overall, this was a mediocre attempt at cashing in on her memoir 'Impossible Odds'.
March 28, 2025
Deserts to Mountaintops is a deeply moving and empowering collection of stories that honors the strength, resilience, and transformative power of reclaiming one's voice. Curated by Jessica Buchanan—whose own harrowing experience as a hostage and journey of self-healing serves as the foundation—this anthology brings together 22 courageous women who share their raw, real journeys from self-abandonment to self-love. Each story is a testament to the power of intuition, choice, and rising from the depths of life’s deserts to reach the mountaintop of personal truth. A must-read for anyone seeking inspiration, healing, and a powerful reminder of the strength within us all.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews