What do you think?
Rate this book
127 Hours
The International Bestseller Between a Rock and a Hard Place--Now the Major Motion Picture 127 Hours
Hiking into the remote Utah canyonlands, Aron Ralston felt perfectly at home in the beauty of the natural world. Then, at 2:41 P.M., eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, an eight-hundred-pound boulder tumbled loose, pinning Aron's right hand and wrist against the canyon wall. Through six days of hell, with scant water, food, or warm clothing, and the terrible knowledge that no one knew where he was, Aron eliminated his escape option one by one. Then a moment of stark clarity helped him to solve the riddle of the boulder--and commit one of the most extreme and desperate acts imaginable.
Honest, inspiring, and undeniably astonishing, 127 Between a Rock and a Hard Place has taken its place in the annals of classic adventure stories.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2004
690 people are currently reading
14082 people want to read
About the author
Aron Ralston
3 books94 followersAron Ralston grew up in the Midwest before moving to Colorado when he was twelve, a place where he became an avid outdoorsman. In 2002, he gave up a career as a mechanical engineer in New Mexico and moved to Aspen, Colorado, where among other things he continued his attempt to climb the fifty-nine Colorado peaks of more than 14,000 feet solo in winter (he's more than three-quarters through). Since his accident, he has resumed his life of adventure and discovery.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,168 reviews
September 9, 2008
There is only one character in this book, and that character is, you guessed it, Aron Ralston. Between a Rock and a Hard Place is Ralston's account of his ordeal pinned to a canyon wall by a half-ton chockstone in Blue John Canyon. He alternates between chapters telling of the delirium of those five days and the choices he must make, and a sort of "how I came to be the way I am" recounting of his life story. The irony of the book reveals itself to the reading pretty early on. A seemingly random accident, with a one-in-a-million rescue, has been fated for this kid his whole damn life. I call Ralston a "kid" (even though he was my age when he had this accident) because he shows time and time again that he has learned very few lessons from his great experience of the world.
Let me get some of the problems with the book and Ralston out of the way, so I can eventually say something nice. Aron's a bit of a 90s douche of the highest order. He loves Phish and String Cheese Incident. He quotes the Matrix movies and Fight Club and Eastern philosophy. He writes from a thoroughly egotistical point of view - not spending enough timing concerned with anything but his own enjoyment of the world and his own survival. I mean, I can relate to that, but it's not intriguing to read Ralston's account of his search and rescue when he often uses hyperbole to express other people's emotions and actions. Come on, man. We know your mom was really worried, but you sound a little silly trying to explain just how much she cared and how scared she was. I believe you.
When writing about his winter fourteener project - an attempt to solo climb all of the mountains 14000 feet or higher in Colorado - he sounds like a typical priveleged mountaineer, full of bravado with no reason to risk his life. He's a bored child in a huge playground. I guess I should reserve judgement on that particular matter, but I can't overlook his reckless endangerment of friends and strangers alike on some of his outings. While on a hike with two guys he meets south of the Grand Canyon, he jumps foolhardy into the ragin Colorado River and nearly kills himself and endangers his two companions who save him from the current. Later on, the same year of his accident, 2003, he skis down a slope in Colorado against the better judgement of himself and his friends and then beckons them to follow. When the avalanche nearly kills one of his friends - Mark, a search and rescue expert, who expressed his ambivalence about Aron's fourteener project - Aron admits that he's done wrong and acted foolishly, but we're not convinced that he'd do it any differently if given the chance.
So, I don't especially like the guy, but I did find some redeemed bits in his book. I found his detailed account of the ordeal in the canyon to particularly revelatory about the decay of the human mind and body in such situations. Ralston is intuitive and highly resourceful as a survivalist (if not as a writer) and his very specific descriptions of his attempts to break the chockstone or lift it from his arm are intriguing. His intensity and will to live shine through in his observations. This is a man who wants to live, but knows he will, in all likelihood, die if not for a great amount of skill and luck. For most of the time of his entrapment - 5 days - he plans calmly and conserves energy and water and uses his obviously futile activities as ways of distracting himself from his misery, or warming his body against the cold nights. He tries, but fails to amputate his forearm. It is only in an act of desperation, an upsurge of primal energy that he realizes the only way he can free himself, to break his own bones with a rock, that he is able to survive. What does this say about man, and nature? We must be beasts, in order to live, sometimes.
We feel Aron's thirst, his need for a margarita, his revulsion at drinking his own piss. What is not convincing is his final assertion that this ordeal was all for the best, in the end. Did he learn a deep lesson about appreciating his friends and family or, like so many other mountaineers and extreme sport enthusiasts, has he just garnered another scar, another tick on his record, another bragging right, another brutal scrape with death?
Let me get some of the problems with the book and Ralston out of the way, so I can eventually say something nice. Aron's a bit of a 90s douche of the highest order. He loves Phish and String Cheese Incident. He quotes the Matrix movies and Fight Club and Eastern philosophy. He writes from a thoroughly egotistical point of view - not spending enough timing concerned with anything but his own enjoyment of the world and his own survival. I mean, I can relate to that, but it's not intriguing to read Ralston's account of his search and rescue when he often uses hyperbole to express other people's emotions and actions. Come on, man. We know your mom was really worried, but you sound a little silly trying to explain just how much she cared and how scared she was. I believe you.
When writing about his winter fourteener project - an attempt to solo climb all of the mountains 14000 feet or higher in Colorado - he sounds like a typical priveleged mountaineer, full of bravado with no reason to risk his life. He's a bored child in a huge playground. I guess I should reserve judgement on that particular matter, but I can't overlook his reckless endangerment of friends and strangers alike on some of his outings. While on a hike with two guys he meets south of the Grand Canyon, he jumps foolhardy into the ragin Colorado River and nearly kills himself and endangers his two companions who save him from the current. Later on, the same year of his accident, 2003, he skis down a slope in Colorado against the better judgement of himself and his friends and then beckons them to follow. When the avalanche nearly kills one of his friends - Mark, a search and rescue expert, who expressed his ambivalence about Aron's fourteener project - Aron admits that he's done wrong and acted foolishly, but we're not convinced that he'd do it any differently if given the chance.
So, I don't especially like the guy, but I did find some redeemed bits in his book. I found his detailed account of the ordeal in the canyon to particularly revelatory about the decay of the human mind and body in such situations. Ralston is intuitive and highly resourceful as a survivalist (if not as a writer) and his very specific descriptions of his attempts to break the chockstone or lift it from his arm are intriguing. His intensity and will to live shine through in his observations. This is a man who wants to live, but knows he will, in all likelihood, die if not for a great amount of skill and luck. For most of the time of his entrapment - 5 days - he plans calmly and conserves energy and water and uses his obviously futile activities as ways of distracting himself from his misery, or warming his body against the cold nights. He tries, but fails to amputate his forearm. It is only in an act of desperation, an upsurge of primal energy that he realizes the only way he can free himself, to break his own bones with a rock, that he is able to survive. What does this say about man, and nature? We must be beasts, in order to live, sometimes.
We feel Aron's thirst, his need for a margarita, his revulsion at drinking his own piss. What is not convincing is his final assertion that this ordeal was all for the best, in the end. Did he learn a deep lesson about appreciating his friends and family or, like so many other mountaineers and extreme sport enthusiasts, has he just garnered another scar, another tick on his record, another bragging right, another brutal scrape with death?
February 4, 2008
I have read a few Mountaineering books, and as a climber/surfer/diver/backpacker/paddler/all around wilderness junkie, I was quite unsettled by this book. In the book, Aron Ralston is plagued by one-upmanship syndrome. The book should be a guide to avoiding wedging your arm between stones in desolate wilderness. Rather it is a distasteful brag-fest of Ralston's overzealous adventure practices. Events such as these lead to the closure of recreation areas every year in suit-happy America. I would further critique Ralston's wilderness appreciation by the fact he had headphones on while hiking. He should have carried a locator-beacon instead of and auditory inhibitor. On the contrary, I have yet to speak with Ralston about the book or events.
In place of this book, please read any of the tasteful works by Ed Viesturs, who sets an excellent example of the way in which people should behave in extreme wilderness settings.
In place of this book, please read any of the tasteful works by Ed Viesturs, who sets an excellent example of the way in which people should behave in extreme wilderness settings.
November 9, 2024
Q: Saying farewell is also a bold and powerful beginning. (c)
Well... I'm not gonna harp like oh so many clever reviewers about how the protagonist 'just should've known better'. I do love harping and, had I known him personally, I would've smacked him real hard but since I'm an independent reviewer, I can stay away from all that silly behaviour and venture right into the land of 'For the love of God, what an adventure!'.
The bear debacle made me laugh and think it might have been a sign from the universe along some lines. All the deep games, new experience, pleasure, other stuff sound profound. So, the story's quite the adventure of a lifetime. As well as a story of what not to do in order to not have to do amputations on oneself. And a story of what to do if push does come to shove.
Q:
Everything happens for a reason, and part of that beauty of life is that we're not allowed to know those reasons for certain. (c) Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I can't help thinking the protagonist might have benefited from some psychological therapy to address his search of danger and adrenaline. There must have been something about his life that drove him to deathwishing? Subconsciously? Another thing is: did this guy get some kind of (birth or some other kind of) brain trauma that made him a tad (a lot!) too impulsive and/or maybe a bit less than the stellar planner of his adventures?
There must have been some internal cause for the whole debacle, which, while extremely impressive, is even more mindboggling. Along the lines of 'How do you?' ... 'What do you...?' ... 'What the fuck?'...
And this cause was definitely not of the 'society's broken' kind. You don't escape under a giant boulder. You do get suffering from it... so... masochistic a bit? This:
Q:
So many people live within unhappy circumstances, and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give someone peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. (c) is not the answer. It's just an indication of 'something went wrong'.
So, not to be harsh or critical or anything. I do love that the protagonist got out of this extremely tight spot (including literally). Still, I think it's perfectly possible that he could have found his ultimate challenge elsewhere:
- science?
- a challenging profession?
- becoming a polyglot?
- beating U.Bolt?
- other professional sport?
- whatever... else...
As humans, we need to be challenged. Sometimes, it's very difficult to find the appropriate outlet. Some of us need more adversity than others. So... I truly hope this guy finds some constructive way to challenge himself in the future without risking his or anyone else's life.
Q:
How would I behave in a situation that caused me to summon the essence of my character? The tragedy inspired me to test myself. I wanted to reveal to myself who I was: the kind of person who died, or the kind of person who overcame circumstances to help himself and others. (c) Sounds like something modern Raskolnikov would say.
Q:
With the darkness blinding me, I lay in my sleeping bag, fear provoking paranoia every time the faintest forest sound reached my ears... (c)
Q:
That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That's their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long. You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. You have been heading for this situation for a long time. Look how far you came to find this spot. It's not that you're getting what you deserve - you're getting what you wanted. (c)
Q:
You'll never find your limits until you've gone too far. (c)
Q:
Mountains are the means, the man is the end. The goal is not to reach the top of the mountains, but to improve the man. (c)
Q:
Like looking through a telescope into the Milky Way and wondering if we're alone in the universe, it made me realize with the glaring clarity of desert light how scarce and delicate life is, how insignificant we are compared with the forces of nature and the dimensions of space. ...
But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, in this universe. (c)
Well... I'm not gonna harp like oh so many clever reviewers about how the protagonist 'just should've known better'. I do love harping and, had I known him personally, I would've smacked him real hard but since I'm an independent reviewer, I can stay away from all that silly behaviour and venture right into the land of 'For the love of God, what an adventure!'.
The bear debacle made me laugh and think it might have been a sign from the universe along some lines. All the deep games, new experience, pleasure, other stuff sound profound. So, the story's quite the adventure of a lifetime. As well as a story of what not to do in order to not have to do amputations on oneself. And a story of what to do if push does come to shove.
Q:
Everything happens for a reason, and part of that beauty of life is that we're not allowed to know those reasons for certain. (c) Yeah, yeah, yeah.
I can't help thinking the protagonist might have benefited from some psychological therapy to address his search of danger and adrenaline. There must have been something about his life that drove him to deathwishing? Subconsciously? Another thing is: did this guy get some kind of (birth or some other kind of) brain trauma that made him a tad (a lot!) too impulsive and/or maybe a bit less than the stellar planner of his adventures?
There must have been some internal cause for the whole debacle, which, while extremely impressive, is even more mindboggling. Along the lines of 'How do you?' ... 'What do you...?' ... 'What the fuck?'...
And this cause was definitely not of the 'society's broken' kind. You don't escape under a giant boulder. You do get suffering from it... so... masochistic a bit? This:
Q:
So many people live within unhappy circumstances, and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give someone peace of mind, but in reality, nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. (c) is not the answer. It's just an indication of 'something went wrong'.
So, not to be harsh or critical or anything. I do love that the protagonist got out of this extremely tight spot (including literally). Still, I think it's perfectly possible that he could have found his ultimate challenge elsewhere:
- science?
- a challenging profession?
- becoming a polyglot?
- beating U.Bolt?
- other professional sport?
- whatever... else...
As humans, we need to be challenged. Sometimes, it's very difficult to find the appropriate outlet. Some of us need more adversity than others. So... I truly hope this guy finds some constructive way to challenge himself in the future without risking his or anyone else's life.
Q:
How would I behave in a situation that caused me to summon the essence of my character? The tragedy inspired me to test myself. I wanted to reveal to myself who I was: the kind of person who died, or the kind of person who overcame circumstances to help himself and others. (c) Sounds like something modern Raskolnikov would say.
Q:
With the darkness blinding me, I lay in my sleeping bag, fear provoking paranoia every time the faintest forest sound reached my ears... (c)
Q:
That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That's their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long. You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. You have been heading for this situation for a long time. Look how far you came to find this spot. It's not that you're getting what you deserve - you're getting what you wanted. (c)
Q:
You'll never find your limits until you've gone too far. (c)
Q:
Mountains are the means, the man is the end. The goal is not to reach the top of the mountains, but to improve the man. (c)
Q:
Like looking through a telescope into the Milky Way and wondering if we're alone in the universe, it made me realize with the glaring clarity of desert light how scarce and delicate life is, how insignificant we are compared with the forces of nature and the dimensions of space. ...
But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, in this universe. (c)
January 4, 2013
I admire Aron's strength, persistence, and drive. Yet within about 40 pages of this book his bravado and obsession with near-death experiences became annoying and tedious. One of the most memorable parts of the book comes when he reveals that two of his friends, both experienced climbers, stopped talking to him after his reckless behavior contributed to the near death of all three of them. Yet, still Aron did not learn from that painful event. He still continues to put himself into danger time and again.
Another telling part of the book comes when he describes a conversation he has with an expert mountaineer. Aron is bragging to him about his climbs, and the expert mountaineer bruskly says that he doesn't do solo climbs.
It is a free country, and therefore Aron can spend his life doing whatever he wants, he can even repeatedly brush with death. However, the public does not have to romanticize him for this.
To call his entrapment a "tragedy" isn't accurate. After all, that wasn't even the deadliest situation he'd gone through in the book. He'd seen rocks fall, had expert mountaineers tell him to always beware of falling rocks. Yes, it was bad luck that this time rocks fell on him, but to say the event was "unexpected" really isn't true, either. The odds just played out and he was there. Sad, yes. Tragic, not really.
Yet even after losing his arm, he still has learned nothing. He continues to take chances and tempt fate. This really is the same mindset that heroin and gambling addicts have. The only difference is that Aron doesn't break any laws.
So take this tale for what it is: a list of Aron's achievements, and a tale about someone who risks his life time after time and eventually gets into a situation he can't get out of scot-free.
Another telling part of the book comes when he describes a conversation he has with an expert mountaineer. Aron is bragging to him about his climbs, and the expert mountaineer bruskly says that he doesn't do solo climbs.
It is a free country, and therefore Aron can spend his life doing whatever he wants, he can even repeatedly brush with death. However, the public does not have to romanticize him for this.
To call his entrapment a "tragedy" isn't accurate. After all, that wasn't even the deadliest situation he'd gone through in the book. He'd seen rocks fall, had expert mountaineers tell him to always beware of falling rocks. Yes, it was bad luck that this time rocks fell on him, but to say the event was "unexpected" really isn't true, either. The odds just played out and he was there. Sad, yes. Tragic, not really.
Yet even after losing his arm, he still has learned nothing. He continues to take chances and tempt fate. This really is the same mindset that heroin and gambling addicts have. The only difference is that Aron doesn't break any laws.
So take this tale for what it is: a list of Aron's achievements, and a tale about someone who risks his life time after time and eventually gets into a situation he can't get out of scot-free.
August 8, 2011
Aron Ralston is probably the stupidest outdoorsman I've ever heard of.
Being married to a climber, I have some insight on how to treat the rock. You don't just leap onto it and hope you make it to the top of the route. You prepare. You double-check your gear. You scope out the climb. YOU TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
I'm the same age Ralston was when he got stuck in the slot canyon, and I can't imagine being so reckless. His entire book recounts how egotistical and selfish he is. I've known guys like him, and I've hated them too.
Not only does Ralston endanger his own life time and again, but the lives of those who pull him out of rivers or avalanches when he literally leaps without looking. He's just a spoiled kid who thinks nature is a playground undeserving of some respect.
I skipped through a lot of the flashbacks because it became obvious without thoroughly reading them that Ralston is a moron. He is beyond lucky he survived in the slot canyon, and I only wish he'd actually learned something from the experience. It seems he just considers it another notch in his belt; another manifestation that he is immortal and can do anything. He is not a skilled outdoorsman, despite his supposed claims to fame. He is just unbelievably lucky at surviving.
Being married to a climber, I have some insight on how to treat the rock. You don't just leap onto it and hope you make it to the top of the route. You prepare. You double-check your gear. You scope out the climb. YOU TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU ARE GOING.
I'm the same age Ralston was when he got stuck in the slot canyon, and I can't imagine being so reckless. His entire book recounts how egotistical and selfish he is. I've known guys like him, and I've hated them too.
Not only does Ralston endanger his own life time and again, but the lives of those who pull him out of rivers or avalanches when he literally leaps without looking. He's just a spoiled kid who thinks nature is a playground undeserving of some respect.
I skipped through a lot of the flashbacks because it became obvious without thoroughly reading them that Ralston is a moron. He is beyond lucky he survived in the slot canyon, and I only wish he'd actually learned something from the experience. It seems he just considers it another notch in his belt; another manifestation that he is immortal and can do anything. He is not a skilled outdoorsman, despite his supposed claims to fame. He is just unbelievably lucky at surviving.
February 27, 2011
WARNING: This is a SUPER long review; it's kind of a very long account of what my thoughts were during the entire book.
"We are not grand because we are at the top of the food chain or because we can alter our environment - the environment will outlast us with its unfathomable forces and unyielding powers. But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, in this universe."
When I first open this book I took notice of the prologue, a short story about Blue John, its informative and interesting enough to keep my mind alive and then Aron's story begins. It's surprisingly well written for a non-writer and I am immediately immersed in his surroundings and thoughts, nothing is left out and I can almost feel what Aron is feeling. It's sensational. By the third page I've already come across a quote that I like and I immediately write it down.
“It adds up, but I deem it all necessary, even the camera gear. I enjoy photographing the otherworldly colors and shapes presented in the convoluted depths of slot canyons and the prehistoric artwork preserved in their alcoves.”
As the reading continues I find myself in an almost trance like state and then I reach the exact moment when Aron finds himself stuck with a boulder crushing his right arm, as he describes the panic and shock he went through I can feel my heart beat getting quicker "Holy shit" the voice in my head says.
"My disbelief paralyzes me temporarily as I stare at the sight of my arm vanishing into an implausibly small gap between the fallen boulder and the canyon wall. Within moments, my nervous system's pain response overcomes the initial shock. Good Christ, my hand. The flaring agony throws me into a panic, I grimace and growl a sharp "Fuck!" My mind commands my body, "Get your hand out of there!" I yank my arm three times in a naive attempt to pull it out.
But I'm stuck."
I know the end result of this accident, I know the story well but I still find myself hoping that someone will come along and find Aron and he will make it out with his arm still intact with a funny story to tell his friends but no that isn't what happened and it isn't going to happen. I settle into the book at this point, completely entranced by Aron's retelling of the horrific event.
It's not all bad though, there are some really good stories he tells about his climbing adventures before Blue John Canyon, I actually find myself laughing at some of the things he does. I remember reading a few reviews that said Aron had a "big ego" and was "talking himself up" that he was "proud of cheating death so many times" and that "karma had caught up to him in that canyon", I didn't agree with any of the comments except the karma one. Sure enough this wasn't the first time Aron was put in a life and death situation but I don't think he was ego-tistical about it, he was a climber, canyoner and skiier. Hundreds (if not thousands and millions) of people do the same thing and relish in the adrenaline rush that these life and death situations bring; Aron (to me) is just one of those people.
I kept in my mind that when he was doing stupid things (like chasing a bear and throwing rocks at it) he was about 21/22, a stupid young adult that thinks he is immortal. It happens. The bear-stalking incident, however, was described as a terrifying experience as he was being stalked by the bear, but there was one quote that made me laugh a little at Aron's panicking.
"With the darkness blinding me, I lay in my sleeping bag, fear provoking paranoia every time the faintest forest sound reached my ears (...) Splash, a fish jumped in the lake, and instantly my mind responded, "OhmyGodthebearisbackhe'sgonnaeatmeI'mgonnadie!" as I held what I was certain would be my last breath."
I continue reading and following Aron through some stupid choices and then back into the canyon where he is slowly giving up on help arriving. He contemplates cutting his arm off a few times but thinks it an act of suicide knowing he won't survive the trek back to his truck.
I read this part and bookmark it, knowing it should be included in my review:
"That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That's their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long. You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. You have been heading for this situation for a long time. Look how far you came to find this spot. It's not that you're getting what you deserve - you're getting what you wanted.
My reading continues through many video testimonials and flash-backs, I'm reading about Aron going slightly insane, about him drinking his own urine (which is described in too much detail for this young lass and I gag a little) I'm hearing my own heart break hoping that this guy survives (even though I know he does)
Soon enough it's Thursday, May 1st 2003 and I brace myself because I know this is it, this is the day he cuts off his arm and I need to be ready to read it in detail. He doesn't disappoint. Let's just say if I ever have to cut my own arm off I am fairly confident that this book has taught me how. And then I read this:
A crystalline moment shatters, and the world is a different place. Where there was confinement, now there is release. Recoiling from my sudden liberation, my left arm flings downcanyon, opening my shoulders to the south, and I fall back against the northern wall of the canyon, my mind is surfing on euphoria. As I stare at the wall where not twelve hours ago I etched "RIP OCT 75 ARON APR 03," a voice shouts in my head:
I AM FREE!
I almost cheer but it's 1am and everyone is in bed so I hold it in, continue smiling stupidly and follow Arons trek. He finds people, my smile gets bigger. The helicopter comes; I almost break my face from my smile. I am in awe at this man and his courage and strength in survival. I cry when he talks to his mother and by the end of the book I have a new appreciation for life. Everything this man went through did not diminish his spirit.
The closing line was perfect:
"Saying farewell is also a bold and powerful beginning."
This book was beyond anything I can describe (but I've tried my best). I truly think everyone needs to read this, regardless of if you think you know the story or not.
If you have made it this part of the review then sigh with relief. I am finished.
"We are not grand because we are at the top of the food chain or because we can alter our environment - the environment will outlast us with its unfathomable forces and unyielding powers. But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, in this universe."
When I first open this book I took notice of the prologue, a short story about Blue John, its informative and interesting enough to keep my mind alive and then Aron's story begins. It's surprisingly well written for a non-writer and I am immediately immersed in his surroundings and thoughts, nothing is left out and I can almost feel what Aron is feeling. It's sensational. By the third page I've already come across a quote that I like and I immediately write it down.
“It adds up, but I deem it all necessary, even the camera gear. I enjoy photographing the otherworldly colors and shapes presented in the convoluted depths of slot canyons and the prehistoric artwork preserved in their alcoves.”
As the reading continues I find myself in an almost trance like state and then I reach the exact moment when Aron finds himself stuck with a boulder crushing his right arm, as he describes the panic and shock he went through I can feel my heart beat getting quicker "Holy shit" the voice in my head says.
"My disbelief paralyzes me temporarily as I stare at the sight of my arm vanishing into an implausibly small gap between the fallen boulder and the canyon wall. Within moments, my nervous system's pain response overcomes the initial shock. Good Christ, my hand. The flaring agony throws me into a panic, I grimace and growl a sharp "Fuck!" My mind commands my body, "Get your hand out of there!" I yank my arm three times in a naive attempt to pull it out.
But I'm stuck."
I know the end result of this accident, I know the story well but I still find myself hoping that someone will come along and find Aron and he will make it out with his arm still intact with a funny story to tell his friends but no that isn't what happened and it isn't going to happen. I settle into the book at this point, completely entranced by Aron's retelling of the horrific event.
It's not all bad though, there are some really good stories he tells about his climbing adventures before Blue John Canyon, I actually find myself laughing at some of the things he does. I remember reading a few reviews that said Aron had a "big ego" and was "talking himself up" that he was "proud of cheating death so many times" and that "karma had caught up to him in that canyon", I didn't agree with any of the comments except the karma one. Sure enough this wasn't the first time Aron was put in a life and death situation but I don't think he was ego-tistical about it, he was a climber, canyoner and skiier. Hundreds (if not thousands and millions) of people do the same thing and relish in the adrenaline rush that these life and death situations bring; Aron (to me) is just one of those people.
I kept in my mind that when he was doing stupid things (like chasing a bear and throwing rocks at it) he was about 21/22, a stupid young adult that thinks he is immortal. It happens. The bear-stalking incident, however, was described as a terrifying experience as he was being stalked by the bear, but there was one quote that made me laugh a little at Aron's panicking.
"With the darkness blinding me, I lay in my sleeping bag, fear provoking paranoia every time the faintest forest sound reached my ears (...) Splash, a fish jumped in the lake, and instantly my mind responded, "OhmyGodthebearisbackhe'sgonnaeatmeI'mgonnadie!" as I held what I was certain would be my last breath."
I continue reading and following Aron through some stupid choices and then back into the canyon where he is slowly giving up on help arriving. He contemplates cutting his arm off a few times but thinks it an act of suicide knowing he won't survive the trek back to his truck.
I read this part and bookmark it, knowing it should be included in my review:
"That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That's their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long. You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. You have been heading for this situation for a long time. Look how far you came to find this spot. It's not that you're getting what you deserve - you're getting what you wanted.
My reading continues through many video testimonials and flash-backs, I'm reading about Aron going slightly insane, about him drinking his own urine (which is described in too much detail for this young lass and I gag a little) I'm hearing my own heart break hoping that this guy survives (even though I know he does)
Soon enough it's Thursday, May 1st 2003 and I brace myself because I know this is it, this is the day he cuts off his arm and I need to be ready to read it in detail. He doesn't disappoint. Let's just say if I ever have to cut my own arm off I am fairly confident that this book has taught me how. And then I read this:
A crystalline moment shatters, and the world is a different place. Where there was confinement, now there is release. Recoiling from my sudden liberation, my left arm flings downcanyon, opening my shoulders to the south, and I fall back against the northern wall of the canyon, my mind is surfing on euphoria. As I stare at the wall where not twelve hours ago I etched "RIP OCT 75 ARON APR 03," a voice shouts in my head:
I AM FREE!
I almost cheer but it's 1am and everyone is in bed so I hold it in, continue smiling stupidly and follow Arons trek. He finds people, my smile gets bigger. The helicopter comes; I almost break my face from my smile. I am in awe at this man and his courage and strength in survival. I cry when he talks to his mother and by the end of the book I have a new appreciation for life. Everything this man went through did not diminish his spirit.
The closing line was perfect:
"Saying farewell is also a bold and powerful beginning."
This book was beyond anything I can describe (but I've tried my best). I truly think everyone needs to read this, regardless of if you think you know the story or not.
If you have made it this part of the review then sigh with relief. I am finished.
May 9, 2018
***
The book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston, is a nonfiction autobiography that demonstrates the meaning of not giving up and continuing to fight even if you have nothing left in you. This book also demonstrates that we all need help and none of us are too good to do anything alone; friends and family are the best supporters and helpers you’ll ever have. This autobiography was about the author and his many accomplishments of being a professional outdoorsman and the events leading up to his arm getting trapped between a boulder and rock wall, which resulted in him cutting off his own arm (Not a spoiler, most people know about him from this being such a popular event). The moment his arm got stuck goes like this, “The rock smashes my left hand against the south wall; my eyes register the collision, and I yank my left arm back as the rock ricochets; the boulder then crushes my right hand and ensnares my right arm at the wrist, palm in, thumb up, fingers extended; the rock slides another foot down the wall with my arm in tow, tearing the skin off the lateral side of my forearm. Then silence. “ The rest of the few chapters after that are flashbacks of stories of past hikes and adventures with different people in his life that have sort of led to the situation he was in right there. The book continues to go from the present, meaning him being stuck with his arm, then goes back to the past. I thought this book was somewhat slow at the beginning, and I didn’t have much motivation to read it. As I went on it got a lot better and became a much faster read. To someone who isn’t the most advanced hiker or outdoorsman, a lot of the equipment he talked about and terms he used sometimes had me lost, but I learned to try to picture what he was talking about in my mind because my dad does a lot of outdoor stuff and has also taught me a lot so I can relate to a lot of Aron’s stories. I thought this book was mainly going to be about his arm and time being trapped, but he incorporated a lot of life lessons that he dealt with and stories that he learned from. After I finished the book I realized it had more that meets the eye and I honestly can say I enjoyed it and didn’t regret reading it. I still rate it a 3/5 stars because it was somewhat difficult to get through but I recommend it to anyone, especially outdoor people, because it can teach you a lot, not only about the outdoors but also about life.
The book, “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston, is a nonfiction autobiography that demonstrates the meaning of not giving up and continuing to fight even if you have nothing left in you. This book also demonstrates that we all need help and none of us are too good to do anything alone; friends and family are the best supporters and helpers you’ll ever have. This autobiography was about the author and his many accomplishments of being a professional outdoorsman and the events leading up to his arm getting trapped between a boulder and rock wall, which resulted in him cutting off his own arm (Not a spoiler, most people know about him from this being such a popular event). The moment his arm got stuck goes like this, “The rock smashes my left hand against the south wall; my eyes register the collision, and I yank my left arm back as the rock ricochets; the boulder then crushes my right hand and ensnares my right arm at the wrist, palm in, thumb up, fingers extended; the rock slides another foot down the wall with my arm in tow, tearing the skin off the lateral side of my forearm. Then silence. “ The rest of the few chapters after that are flashbacks of stories of past hikes and adventures with different people in his life that have sort of led to the situation he was in right there. The book continues to go from the present, meaning him being stuck with his arm, then goes back to the past. I thought this book was somewhat slow at the beginning, and I didn’t have much motivation to read it. As I went on it got a lot better and became a much faster read. To someone who isn’t the most advanced hiker or outdoorsman, a lot of the equipment he talked about and terms he used sometimes had me lost, but I learned to try to picture what he was talking about in my mind because my dad does a lot of outdoor stuff and has also taught me a lot so I can relate to a lot of Aron’s stories. I thought this book was mainly going to be about his arm and time being trapped, but he incorporated a lot of life lessons that he dealt with and stories that he learned from. After I finished the book I realized it had more that meets the eye and I honestly can say I enjoyed it and didn’t regret reading it. I still rate it a 3/5 stars because it was somewhat difficult to get through but I recommend it to anyone, especially outdoor people, because it can teach you a lot, not only about the outdoors but also about life.
September 29, 2014
Considering that: a) I already knew the full story of Ralston’s days trapped by a boulder in a remote canyon, b) I had already seen the brilliant 2010 film made of his experience (127 Hours, starring James Franco, a favorite of mine ever since his days as Daniel on Freaks and Geeks), c) this book could fall into either of the dodgy genres of celebrity memoir or jock’s adventure story, and d) the title is such a horrible use of a cliché, I wasn’t expecting this book to be the well-written and utterly gripping reading experience that it turned out to be. I’ll be disappointed if I learn that Ralston had a ghost writer; I want to believe that he can write this well. There’s no reason why not, anyway – he was top of his class at Carnegie-Mellon in mechanical engineering and French, and he has a great memory and a lot of common sense.
Indeed, I think Ralston’s intelligence (along with his top physical fitness) was a big part of what saved him in the end. His engineer’s grasp of basic physics gave him the ability to construct a pulley system (even though it didn’t work, it made him feel like he was moving towards an escape), his outdoor adventures and time with a search and rescue group informed his instincts about threats and aids to his survival, his medical knowledge was sufficient to guide him through a rudimentary surgery on himself, and his ability to recall vivid details of past family occasions and sporting escapades kept his mind on pleasant memories rather than on the obdurate reality of his situation.
Ralston alternates taut present-tense chapters chronicling the details of his crisis with more laid-back chapters recalling other major climbing and skiing exploits from his adventure-filled 27 years (I’m not sure why, but this approach was likened to Tarantino’s films in a number of reviews and in Ralston’s own acknowledgments section). It would be easy to dismiss him as a dumb, foolhardy kid – he was stalked by a bear and almost trapped in a serious avalanche long before he ever entered Blue John Canyon alone – but instead I admired him for his pursuit of the fullness of life. His chapters about climbing and skiing were possibly a bit too technical for laypeople: I tired of the sportsman’s jargon and the names of all the pieces of gear and types of mountain features. Just when I was getting weary of these interludes, about halfway through, Ralston cleverly changed tactics, now devoting the alternating chapters to the nascent rescue attempt, as his family and friends realized he was missing and involved law enforcement and National Park officials.
Even though I knew Ralston would survive, and I had seen a film representation of the grisly method of his escape, I still found the last few chapters very suspenseful. The quality of the writing is such that readers feel they are right there in the canyon with him, trapped and growing more hopeless by the hour. Ralston had written his own epitaph, divvied up his belongings and his ashes through video messages to his family. He was ready to accept death. But then he had a vision – one that was somehow different from his hallucinations of flying up out of the canyon to meet friends, or his so-real-you-could-almost-taste-it waking dreams about ice cold beverages. He saw himself giving a piggyback ride to a little boy, with the stump of his right arm holding the boy steady, and somehow he knew that this was his future son, in their future home. The assurance that he still had life ahead of him gave him the motivation he needed to start the amputation in earnest.
It may sound trite, but ultimately the book was a cogent tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Without a spiritual component to his existence, Ralston could easily have succumbed to dehydration, starvation, hypothermia, or shock. Instead he survived the ordeal, got married and had the prophesied son, continues to climb mountains with a special prosthetic attachment, and travels around giving motivational speeches (for a cool $25,000 a pop). Not bad for a daredevil who made the reckless mistake of going climbing alone without telling anyone where he was heading. Though I don’t think I could ever manage his kind of athletic feats, I do envy him his experiences of pushing his body to its outer limits, and living life right on the knife-edge of death.
(This review originally appeared at Bookkaholic.)
Indeed, I think Ralston’s intelligence (along with his top physical fitness) was a big part of what saved him in the end. His engineer’s grasp of basic physics gave him the ability to construct a pulley system (even though it didn’t work, it made him feel like he was moving towards an escape), his outdoor adventures and time with a search and rescue group informed his instincts about threats and aids to his survival, his medical knowledge was sufficient to guide him through a rudimentary surgery on himself, and his ability to recall vivid details of past family occasions and sporting escapades kept his mind on pleasant memories rather than on the obdurate reality of his situation.
Ralston alternates taut present-tense chapters chronicling the details of his crisis with more laid-back chapters recalling other major climbing and skiing exploits from his adventure-filled 27 years (I’m not sure why, but this approach was likened to Tarantino’s films in a number of reviews and in Ralston’s own acknowledgments section). It would be easy to dismiss him as a dumb, foolhardy kid – he was stalked by a bear and almost trapped in a serious avalanche long before he ever entered Blue John Canyon alone – but instead I admired him for his pursuit of the fullness of life. His chapters about climbing and skiing were possibly a bit too technical for laypeople: I tired of the sportsman’s jargon and the names of all the pieces of gear and types of mountain features. Just when I was getting weary of these interludes, about halfway through, Ralston cleverly changed tactics, now devoting the alternating chapters to the nascent rescue attempt, as his family and friends realized he was missing and involved law enforcement and National Park officials.
Even though I knew Ralston would survive, and I had seen a film representation of the grisly method of his escape, I still found the last few chapters very suspenseful. The quality of the writing is such that readers feel they are right there in the canyon with him, trapped and growing more hopeless by the hour. Ralston had written his own epitaph, divvied up his belongings and his ashes through video messages to his family. He was ready to accept death. But then he had a vision – one that was somehow different from his hallucinations of flying up out of the canyon to meet friends, or his so-real-you-could-almost-taste-it waking dreams about ice cold beverages. He saw himself giving a piggyback ride to a little boy, with the stump of his right arm holding the boy steady, and somehow he knew that this was his future son, in their future home. The assurance that he still had life ahead of him gave him the motivation he needed to start the amputation in earnest.
It may sound trite, but ultimately the book was a cogent tribute to the strength of the human spirit. Without a spiritual component to his existence, Ralston could easily have succumbed to dehydration, starvation, hypothermia, or shock. Instead he survived the ordeal, got married and had the prophesied son, continues to climb mountains with a special prosthetic attachment, and travels around giving motivational speeches (for a cool $25,000 a pop). Not bad for a daredevil who made the reckless mistake of going climbing alone without telling anyone where he was heading. Though I don’t think I could ever manage his kind of athletic feats, I do envy him his experiences of pushing his body to its outer limits, and living life right on the knife-edge of death.
(This review originally appeared at Bookkaholic.)
June 13, 2011
First of all, God what a story.
If you have not seen the movie, Aron is best known as "that guy that had to cut off his own arm." While hiking in a canyon a rock smashes his arm and he is stuck almost a week with very low food and water until he amputates his own arm in order to survive.
Now this is an odd reading experience. It is one of the few times where the movie is much better then the book, and the oddness compounds when Aron Ralston is writing a true account of his own experiences. How could it be that I like the fictional character better?
It's not shown in the movie but Aron had quite a few brushes with death before his fated encounter with the boulder.
1.)He is chased and stalked by a hungry bear after trying to take the bear's picture in Winter.
2.) He almost falls off a mountain after deciding to slide down in his snow pants.
3.) After cannon balling into the Colorado River without a life jacket, he not only almost kills himself but he almost drowns his two friends that try to save him.
So do I think that Aron deserved his fate in that canyon? That he got what was coming to him? God no. But at the same time I think Dumb Dumb thumbed his nose at the gods one time too many.
This is one of the few times where I recommend the movie over the book. Danny Boyle is a better director than Aron is a writer. His prose is quite poor. The movie is incredible. You are trapped with James Franco down in that canyon. It's an incredible story and one I won't forget anytime soon.
If you have not seen the movie, Aron is best known as "that guy that had to cut off his own arm." While hiking in a canyon a rock smashes his arm and he is stuck almost a week with very low food and water until he amputates his own arm in order to survive.
Now this is an odd reading experience. It is one of the few times where the movie is much better then the book, and the oddness compounds when Aron Ralston is writing a true account of his own experiences. How could it be that I like the fictional character better?
It's not shown in the movie but Aron had quite a few brushes with death before his fated encounter with the boulder.
1.)He is chased and stalked by a hungry bear after trying to take the bear's picture in Winter.
2.) He almost falls off a mountain after deciding to slide down in his snow pants.
3.) After cannon balling into the Colorado River without a life jacket, he not only almost kills himself but he almost drowns his two friends that try to save him.
So do I think that Aron deserved his fate in that canyon? That he got what was coming to him? God no. But at the same time I think Dumb Dumb thumbed his nose at the gods one time too many.
This is one of the few times where I recommend the movie over the book. Danny Boyle is a better director than Aron is a writer. His prose is quite poor. The movie is incredible. You are trapped with James Franco down in that canyon. It's an incredible story and one I won't forget anytime soon.
November 16, 2010
I understand why people love or hate this book. I know some people can't get over the perceived selfishness of a lifestyle in which cheating death is just that, and I get where they're coming from; I just disagree. I also get that people think there's too much ego in this book, and no great lesson is learned by the author. The ego doesn't bother me, and I would argue that we're all smack dab in the middle of learning life's lessons, and none of us can be sure of what exactly we're learning. I think Aron Ralston is as good a writer as Jon Krakauer (there are a lot of similarities), and it strikes me that audiences will likely feel the same way about this story as the story of Chris McCandless in Krakauer's Into the Wild - love 'em or hate 'em. I was so drawn into the story that even knowing how it ends, and knowing a lot of what occurred, having lived in Colorado when this happened, I kept thinking and hoping maybe he'd be rescued earlier. Being that close to death and not only living to tell the tale, but having documented it along the way, is remarkable, and makes for a compelling story.
My favorite paragraph: "The thought occurred to me then that there are many shapes to the thing that separates life from death. Sometimes it’s obvious: the distance that separates you from a lightning bolt, the seat belt that restrains you when you hit a deer at 80 mph, the actions of a friend whose quick reflexes save you from drowning in the Colorado River. Other times it’s subtle, even imperceptible: the microscopic string of DNA that enables your body to fight off an infection you don’t even know you’ve contracted, a decision to climb a different mountain and thereby miss being hit by a rock that assails the route you aren’t on. We go through life ignoring these subtleties because there are a million things we survive every day without recognizing we were ever at risk. Then we have a close call, and we become acutely aware of what that fraction of an inch or that split second means."
My favorite paragraph: "The thought occurred to me then that there are many shapes to the thing that separates life from death. Sometimes it’s obvious: the distance that separates you from a lightning bolt, the seat belt that restrains you when you hit a deer at 80 mph, the actions of a friend whose quick reflexes save you from drowning in the Colorado River. Other times it’s subtle, even imperceptible: the microscopic string of DNA that enables your body to fight off an infection you don’t even know you’ve contracted, a decision to climb a different mountain and thereby miss being hit by a rock that assails the route you aren’t on. We go through life ignoring these subtleties because there are a million things we survive every day without recognizing we were ever at risk. Then we have a close call, and we become acutely aware of what that fraction of an inch or that split second means."
May 7, 2010
I am going to go easy on my review here, because the man did have to cut off his own hand, but I really didn't like this book and mostly because I didn't like the author.
He (my guess is, unwittingly) does not give a flattering portrayal of himself. The autobiographical background chapters of the book are not enjoyable to read and basically paint him as an immature hot-dogger, who consistently takes unecessary risks endangering his life and the lives of others.
He definitely has fortitude and the will-to-survive, but by the end of the book, I just couldn't shake the feeling that his accident was just a result of the odds catching up with a guy who doesn't know humility and is motivated by what he can brag about later. It's kind of sad really. The most telling part of the book was after he was found and the police notified his mother and asked if there was anything they could do for her, she said, "don't judge him." I got the feeling she wasn't talking about judging him for cutting off his hand, but was referring to his subsequent behavior. It's pretty hard not to judge, but mom seemed to know her son well enough to realize it would be a problem.
He (my guess is, unwittingly) does not give a flattering portrayal of himself. The autobiographical background chapters of the book are not enjoyable to read and basically paint him as an immature hot-dogger, who consistently takes unecessary risks endangering his life and the lives of others.
He definitely has fortitude and the will-to-survive, but by the end of the book, I just couldn't shake the feeling that his accident was just a result of the odds catching up with a guy who doesn't know humility and is motivated by what he can brag about later. It's kind of sad really. The most telling part of the book was after he was found and the police notified his mother and asked if there was anything they could do for her, she said, "don't judge him." I got the feeling she wasn't talking about judging him for cutting off his hand, but was referring to his subsequent behavior. It's pretty hard not to judge, but mom seemed to know her son well enough to realize it would be a problem.
June 11, 2008
In Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Aron Ralston tells his true and amazing survival story. Hiking in Blue John Canyon one Saturday afternoon (April 26, 2003 to be exact), Aron, an experienced mountaineer, got trapped when a 800lb boulder came loose and pined his right hand to the canyon wall. Aron usually left a detailed map of where he was going with someone so that, if the need came, they would be able to find him quickly. On this trip, however, he did not, as it was suppose to be a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands. Nobody knew where he was and no one would realize he's missing until he didn't show up at work that Monday. This meant that he would not be rescued until late the next week, and with his little amount of food and very little water, this meant almost certain death. Mr. Ralston does not only go into detail about how he managed to keep himself alive for 6 days, he also goes into his history and tells how he got to this point and how he knows how to do certain things that help him. He also describes what happens out of the canyon when his colleagues, friends, and family realize he is missing and the rescue process. He has both a video recorder and a camera with him, so he tapes messages to his family and friends, and takes pictures of his smashed hand and himself. By Wednesday evening he was amazed that he has lived that long and taped his last goodbye and dying instructions on the video camera. He then carved his name, birth date, that day's date (which he was sure was his last), and RIP into the canyon wall above him. That night he has a divine inspiration where he sees himself lifting who he knows is going to be his son into his arms, he had only his left hand as his right arm was a stump. He had considered amputation from the start, but had thought that there was no way of doing it as his multi-tool knife would not be strong enough to cut through his bones. Thursday morning he knew he had to get his hand off of him to escape (he had tried many other ways of escaping already), so he broke both his arm bones below the elbow and used the knife to amputate his wrist and hand. This is not the end however, Aron also tells how he managed to get out of the canyons and how he was flown to a hospital and then how he and his family had to deal with the media. He also describes how he learned to cope with one hand.
I listened to the CD formate of this book, which is read by Aron himself, and it was very interesting. His story is truly awesome and inspiring! I was sad when, at the end, they said that it had been abridged for CD, because now I want to get the book to see what they left out. Aron Ralston is still an outdoors man and uses his different prosthetic arms to climb rock, ice, etc. Aron has amazing will to live!
Warnings: There is some swearing in this book (understandable, considering the situation), especially when he first gets trapped and at certain points when his frustration and depression peak. It is also a little gruesome, and perhaps not for the squeamish, but in the context of the story it is not that disturbing.
I listened to the CD formate of this book, which is read by Aron himself, and it was very interesting. His story is truly awesome and inspiring! I was sad when, at the end, they said that it had been abridged for CD, because now I want to get the book to see what they left out. Aron Ralston is still an outdoors man and uses his different prosthetic arms to climb rock, ice, etc. Aron has amazing will to live!
Warnings: There is some swearing in this book (understandable, considering the situation), especially when he first gets trapped and at certain points when his frustration and depression peak. It is also a little gruesome, and perhaps not for the squeamish, but in the context of the story it is not that disturbing.
June 2, 2012
(4.0) Well-written account of a trying experience
I don't see any acknowledgment of assistance in writing this book, and since he graduated summa from Carnegie Mellon, he's probably a bright guy, so I think he may have actually written this himself. He also gets pretty jargony (and specific!) about several of his more harrowing maneuvers out on mountaintops. I wouldn't expect a ghost writer to allow that to happen. If he did indeed write this himself, it makes the read that much better, cause it is quite well written.
He walks us through his fateful day mountain biking, then canyoneering until his arm gets pinned between a large boulder (that he shakes loose) and the wall of the canyon he's descending. After days sitting in place, failing to sleep, shivering through the night and eventually experiencing hallucinations that blur the line between dream, psychosis and time travel. Eventually a vision of his son in a red shirt (he was childless at the time), convinced him he was going to make it. That he had to make it. But with only a dull multi-tool he couldn't find a way to amputate his arm (he'd already tried lifting the boulder off his arm and carving/banging enough of the boulder apart to free his pinned arm). Well, since he's around the tell the tale, we know he eventually overcomes and finds a way to free himself after five days, at least two of which were survived on his own urine alone.
Every other chapter was an hour-by-hour account of his ordeal in the Utah canyon. The other half were a longer thread of his development as an outdoorsman, focusing in particular on his near misses, accidents and failures in judgment. Like his proudest moments were when he was closest to death. He does seem to suggest that he had this all coming. It's not clear how much he learned from the experience about taking proper precautions, though he does learn never to leave on a solo expedition without being very clear with at least someone what his intended itinerary was. As this thread catches up with the Utah incident, he starts to give us the narrative of his friends and family who become increasingly worried about his condition (when he fails to go to friends' parties, show up at work etc.), and eventually recounts the search and rescue effort that eventually saved his life.
I thought this structure was fantastic. He seems to acknowledge inspiration on this organization to Quentin Tarantino...not that he'd notice/care or would need the ego massaging (though in truth, doesn't Tarantino just steal his stuff from others anyway?). It enhanced the reading experience (as opposed to say, The Murder Room, where such interleaving just gets in the way).
I don't see any acknowledgment of assistance in writing this book, and since he graduated summa from Carnegie Mellon, he's probably a bright guy, so I think he may have actually written this himself. He also gets pretty jargony (and specific!) about several of his more harrowing maneuvers out on mountaintops. I wouldn't expect a ghost writer to allow that to happen. If he did indeed write this himself, it makes the read that much better, cause it is quite well written.
He walks us through his fateful day mountain biking, then canyoneering until his arm gets pinned between a large boulder (that he shakes loose) and the wall of the canyon he's descending. After days sitting in place, failing to sleep, shivering through the night and eventually experiencing hallucinations that blur the line between dream, psychosis and time travel. Eventually a vision of his son in a red shirt (he was childless at the time), convinced him he was going to make it. That he had to make it. But with only a dull multi-tool he couldn't find a way to amputate his arm (he'd already tried lifting the boulder off his arm and carving/banging enough of the boulder apart to free his pinned arm). Well, since he's around the tell the tale, we know he eventually overcomes and finds a way to free himself after five days, at least two of which were survived on his own urine alone.
Every other chapter was an hour-by-hour account of his ordeal in the Utah canyon. The other half were a longer thread of his development as an outdoorsman, focusing in particular on his near misses, accidents and failures in judgment. Like his proudest moments were when he was closest to death. He does seem to suggest that he had this all coming. It's not clear how much he learned from the experience about taking proper precautions, though he does learn never to leave on a solo expedition without being very clear with at least someone what his intended itinerary was. As this thread catches up with the Utah incident, he starts to give us the narrative of his friends and family who become increasingly worried about his condition (when he fails to go to friends' parties, show up at work etc.), and eventually recounts the search and rescue effort that eventually saved his life.
I thought this structure was fantastic. He seems to acknowledge inspiration on this organization to Quentin Tarantino...not that he'd notice/care or would need the ego massaging (though in truth, doesn't Tarantino just steal his stuff from others anyway?). It enhanced the reading experience (as opposed to say, The Murder Room, where such interleaving just gets in the way).
May 26, 2021
Now, I will start first by saying I saw the movie, 127 Hours first.
Of course, I then had to read the book. Usually the book is much better, but the movie is one of my favourites and Aron's fight to survive really resonated with me- whereas the book, although had mostly good points, it also has some flaws.
His adventures:
As other reviewers have said, much of this book seems to be a filler of Aron's boastful stories of adventures and near-death experiences. At first they were really interesting, but I soon grew tired of the endless dangerous situations that he continued to put himself in...sometimes I had to put the book down- which is never a good sign.
However, once I reached the point in the story when he gets trapped in the canyon slot, I could not put the book down.
POTENTIAL SPOILERS:
Thoughts on Aron's character:
The last few chapters of the book made up for the rest of the cocky adventure anecdotes. Some people classify him as a douche/conceited/careless, and maybe that is so, but what I took away from his story is that he did finally reflect on the person he was pre-accident; his arrogance and risk-taking had many consequences.
I think the experience in Blue John Canyon taught him some serious lessons. He lost his arm, but he also lost many other aspects of his life too. He mentions the friends who stopped talking to him because of his carelessness. This leads me to believe the canyon accident taught him something about the person he WAS. He seems to acknowledge that his alpha-male personality dominated him, and so he didn't think he needed to take safety precautions.
You also learn information that you don't get from the movie, which I also liked; his life immediately after being rescued, post-amptation, all the people who were affected by what happened, etc.
Overall:
All in all, Aron is a positive person who can make the best out of a bad situation. Getting trapped by the boulder? Such a freak accident that really could have happened to anyone (any adventure taker that is). Aron's survival and zest for life inspired me to look at my own life differently, and a book that has the ability to do that for me is a book worth reading.
Of course, I then had to read the book. Usually the book is much better, but the movie is one of my favourites and Aron's fight to survive really resonated with me- whereas the book, although had mostly good points, it also has some flaws.
His adventures:
As other reviewers have said, much of this book seems to be a filler of Aron's boastful stories of adventures and near-death experiences. At first they were really interesting, but I soon grew tired of the endless dangerous situations that he continued to put himself in...sometimes I had to put the book down- which is never a good sign.
However, once I reached the point in the story when he gets trapped in the canyon slot, I could not put the book down.
POTENTIAL SPOILERS:
Thoughts on Aron's character:
The last few chapters of the book made up for the rest of the cocky adventure anecdotes. Some people classify him as a douche/conceited/careless, and maybe that is so, but what I took away from his story is that he did finally reflect on the person he was pre-accident; his arrogance and risk-taking had many consequences.
I think the experience in Blue John Canyon taught him some serious lessons. He lost his arm, but he also lost many other aspects of his life too. He mentions the friends who stopped talking to him because of his carelessness. This leads me to believe the canyon accident taught him something about the person he WAS. He seems to acknowledge that his alpha-male personality dominated him, and so he didn't think he needed to take safety precautions.
You also learn information that you don't get from the movie, which I also liked; his life immediately after being rescued, post-amptation, all the people who were affected by what happened, etc.
Overall:
All in all, Aron is a positive person who can make the best out of a bad situation. Getting trapped by the boulder? Such a freak accident that really could have happened to anyone (any adventure taker that is). Aron's survival and zest for life inspired me to look at my own life differently, and a book that has the ability to do that for me is a book worth reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 29, 2021
A Page-Turning Adventure/Suspense/Thriller!
Aron Ralston is an adventurer. After doing what everyone is supposed to, which is to say, got to school, get your degree, get a good job, etc., he decides to do what he enjoys most. He travels, he climbs, he skis, he mountain bikes, he hikes, and climbs. He becomes an experienced man on all fronts of the outdoors, but makes one major error.... He doesn't tell anyone where he's going.
While hiking the Canyonlands of Utah, he's having the time of his life. The scenery is beautiful, the trails are picturesque, he comes across two lost females, they share a memorable time climbing and swimming before he moves on his journey through the slot canyons. While climbing down a particular area he comes across a chockstone in his path. Before he knows it, he's tumbling down the stone walls and becomes trapped between a rock and a hard place. For the next 127 hours, Aron struggles to be free. What he experiences will change his life forever.
The novel reads like an adventure, suspense, and thriller. I'm not going to offer spoilers, although we know what happens. The details in the book make the reader feel like we're right there with Aron cursing himself for being careless, and wondering how he will get free, and to be more blunt, wondering 'if' he will be free.
Aron Ralston is an adventurer. After doing what everyone is supposed to, which is to say, got to school, get your degree, get a good job, etc., he decides to do what he enjoys most. He travels, he climbs, he skis, he mountain bikes, he hikes, and climbs. He becomes an experienced man on all fronts of the outdoors, but makes one major error.... He doesn't tell anyone where he's going.
While hiking the Canyonlands of Utah, he's having the time of his life. The scenery is beautiful, the trails are picturesque, he comes across two lost females, they share a memorable time climbing and swimming before he moves on his journey through the slot canyons. While climbing down a particular area he comes across a chockstone in his path. Before he knows it, he's tumbling down the stone walls and becomes trapped between a rock and a hard place. For the next 127 hours, Aron struggles to be free. What he experiences will change his life forever.
The novel reads like an adventure, suspense, and thriller. I'm not going to offer spoilers, although we know what happens. The details in the book make the reader feel like we're right there with Aron cursing himself for being careless, and wondering how he will get free, and to be more blunt, wondering 'if' he will be free.
September 28, 2010
Aron Ralston used Between a Rock and a Hard Place as a record of his memoirs being trapped in a narrow canyon, where a rock was pinning his hand to the canyon wall. At least that’s what the story should have been about. Instead Aron used this book to brag about his recklessness and willingness to endanger himself and others. Overall I would say this book was poorly executed.
Aron Ralston is very obviously not a writer. He was just one of those people that was put in a horrendous situation, and was able to come out alive and benefit from it. The writing lacked an entertaining quality. It was flat, and dull. The diction and voice was poor, if any. I feel as if the entire tone of the book was just Aron showing off, and not Aron Ralston trying to teach fellow adventurers from his ordeal.
The majority of Between a Rock and a Hard Place did not even focus on the interesting part of the story- Aron’s entrapment. Instead the novel was crammed with filler, as Aron bragged about his other mountaineering adventures. These adventures were always dangerous, poorly planned out and most often included endangering others. The novel was lacking any resolution, or lesson learned. As Aron is cutting off his own arm he even says “This is gonna make one hell of a story to tell my friends” (pg 284). He obviously cares about nothing more than a good story, and this message could easily be translated onto young adventurous readers.
To wrap it up I felt as though this book poorly executed what I expected it to be. Where I was looking for a story that discussed his ordeal and how that changed Aron, I found a poorly written novel that was just bragging the entire time. I did not appreciate all of the filler, as it took away from the story. I honestly believe the only reason this novel took off is because of the interest of the ordeal, but it was so poorly executed that I can’t imagine recommending it to anyone.
Aron Ralston is very obviously not a writer. He was just one of those people that was put in a horrendous situation, and was able to come out alive and benefit from it. The writing lacked an entertaining quality. It was flat, and dull. The diction and voice was poor, if any. I feel as if the entire tone of the book was just Aron showing off, and not Aron Ralston trying to teach fellow adventurers from his ordeal.
The majority of Between a Rock and a Hard Place did not even focus on the interesting part of the story- Aron’s entrapment. Instead the novel was crammed with filler, as Aron bragged about his other mountaineering adventures. These adventures were always dangerous, poorly planned out and most often included endangering others. The novel was lacking any resolution, or lesson learned. As Aron is cutting off his own arm he even says “This is gonna make one hell of a story to tell my friends” (pg 284). He obviously cares about nothing more than a good story, and this message could easily be translated onto young adventurous readers.
To wrap it up I felt as though this book poorly executed what I expected it to be. Where I was looking for a story that discussed his ordeal and how that changed Aron, I found a poorly written novel that was just bragging the entire time. I did not appreciate all of the filler, as it took away from the story. I honestly believe the only reason this novel took off is because of the interest of the ordeal, but it was so poorly executed that I can’t imagine recommending it to anyone.
October 7, 2024
Most people have heard of the story of the man who is hiking in southern Utah, gets his arm caught by a falling boulder and has to cut off his hand to escape. I saw the Dateline on this right after it happened and was inspired by his story. The book, though, has given me a completely different perspective. The first few chapters were exciting, describing his hike and the fall of the boulder. Then, Aron continues to flashback to other adventures that he has had...and there are a lot. In every one of them, there is a huge disregard to his own safety and the safety of the people around him (when he isn't off on a solo expedition -which he did a lot). There's stories of not checking his equipment, fighting off angry bears, hiking in unsafe conditions and causing avalanches. It seems that every day for multiple years, his whole life was just about arrogantly tempting fate. It's really a miracle that he made it as far as he did without a fatal accident. One of the first things any person learns about the backcountry is leaving an itinerary with someone or in your vehicle- or both. I was hoping that the book would give more information on why he didn't do this. Instead, it just showed that it was part of a LONG pattern of feeling invincible.
Then there's the "product placement". I haven't looked this up, but I would imagine that Ralston got paid to plug products through the book. He nearly always referred to his equipment with a name brand in front of it. Either he got paid, or it was ridiculously repetitive poor writing to keep hearing about his Nalgene water bottle or the brand of skis, poles, gloves, etc that he was using.
If you have sympathy for Ralston's plight, DON'T read this book.
Then there's the "product placement". I haven't looked this up, but I would imagine that Ralston got paid to plug products through the book. He nearly always referred to his equipment with a name brand in front of it. Either he got paid, or it was ridiculously repetitive poor writing to keep hearing about his Nalgene water bottle or the brand of skis, poles, gloves, etc that he was using.
If you have sympathy for Ralston's plight, DON'T read this book.
December 10, 2008
Ralston became a media sensation due to his dramatic accident, and his dynamic charisma. Ralston had an interesting perspective on the world before he was forced to sever his arm to save his life. Trapped in a slot canyon in a Utah desert for five nights and six days gives him a sense of clairity that he compares to a second adolescence. His life after the accident became somewhat of a circus, and this story is not only about the accident, but his thougths on why it occurred, and how his life has changed. This unexpected, and often unwanted, popularity gave him the opportunity to write a book about his life, and he manages to avoid being trite or sensational, even after he was featured on Letterman, and in GQ and Vanity Fair.
Ralston epitomizes the modern transcendentalist, and begs his readers to live life to the fullest, stop doing things that are benign, and make your life extraordinary. Good advice. A compelling and thought provoking read about the human spirit, the drive to survive, and a will to live life to the fullest.
Ralston epitomizes the modern transcendentalist, and begs his readers to live life to the fullest, stop doing things that are benign, and make your life extraordinary. Good advice. A compelling and thought provoking read about the human spirit, the drive to survive, and a will to live life to the fullest.
February 23, 2011
I'll admit it. I read this after watching 127 Hours and reading several reviews that said minor parts of the story had been changed from the original text. Minor was an understatement, but that's a discussion for another time.
Ralston narrates this book with a somewhat self-important, self-righteous air. He arguably has the right to, after all he's been through, but his narcissism just made getting through the novel a grueling task. There were times when I wanted to shout at him to stop being so dull and naive, and while I admire his courage for self-amputating and understand how one's life can flash before one's eyes in the face of death, Ralston's memoir read a little too much like a boastful speech. Even by the end of the novel, when he says that he has learnt to take fewer things for granted and has become more humbled now that he understands the true power of nature, his words remain tinged with a sense of better-than-you snobbery. The story itself is fascinating, as is his life, but I just wish he hadn't told it in such an arrogant way.
Ralston narrates this book with a somewhat self-important, self-righteous air. He arguably has the right to, after all he's been through, but his narcissism just made getting through the novel a grueling task. There were times when I wanted to shout at him to stop being so dull and naive, and while I admire his courage for self-amputating and understand how one's life can flash before one's eyes in the face of death, Ralston's memoir read a little too much like a boastful speech. Even by the end of the novel, when he says that he has learnt to take fewer things for granted and has become more humbled now that he understands the true power of nature, his words remain tinged with a sense of better-than-you snobbery. The story itself is fascinating, as is his life, but I just wish he hadn't told it in such an arrogant way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2012
I saw the film and was inspired to read the book because I wanted to really FEEL what was going through Aron Ralston's head through his ordeal.
His book doesn't just focus on the 127 hours he spent trapped under the rock, he dissects his whole life up to that point, recalling memories and events as well as people who have crossed his path. The worst part in the book is, predictably, when he finally decides to amputate his own arm- as graphic as it seemed on film, reading about it made me feel exceptionally ill! -but by that point you feel as though you owe it to him to stick by his side and not put the book down.
It's one of those books that I find inspiring- it really puts things into perspective and makes you see that, really, the troubles in your life are nothing compared to the ordeals some people go through and it really makes you value each day.
His book doesn't just focus on the 127 hours he spent trapped under the rock, he dissects his whole life up to that point, recalling memories and events as well as people who have crossed his path. The worst part in the book is, predictably, when he finally decides to amputate his own arm- as graphic as it seemed on film, reading about it made me feel exceptionally ill! -but by that point you feel as though you owe it to him to stick by his side and not put the book down.
It's one of those books that I find inspiring- it really puts things into perspective and makes you see that, really, the troubles in your life are nothing compared to the ordeals some people go through and it really makes you value each day.
November 13, 2007
It was frustraiting to read this book. This guy makes so many crucial mistakes I am surprised he didn't end up dead. As an outdoorman, it's hard to read about foolish mistake after foolish mistake and zero common sense.
May 11, 2015
Aron Ralston took great joy in pushing his limits in the vast untamed reaches of the natural world. Whether surfing, mountain biking or any other athletic pursuit, Aron was always most at home challenging himself physically. But on April 26, 2003, he nearly met his end in Blue John Canyon, Utah while rock climbing all alone when a boulder dislodged and crushed his right hand pinning him to the canyon wall. Miles from his truck with nobody aware of his location and no ability to contact help, Aron survives for 6 days before doing the unthinkable to escape. It is quite literally a story of being stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I’ll give Aron Ralston credit for this – he survived what probably should have been his end by doing something that most of us could never fathom doing while sitting reading about it at home. That said, Between a Rock and a Hard Place really serves as a field guide for absolutely everything you should never do in the great outdoors. However, Ralston seems to miss the point of his own ordeal, speaking of himself as some free spirit who overcame incredible odds instead of displaying a level of humility for getting supremely lucky in spite of breaking every single rule of wilderness survival.
I had heard about Ralston’s ordeal in an interview before I read Between a Rock and a Hard Place, so I was curious what must have been going through his head at the moment he made the decision to do what he did to escape (I’m not going to spoil it for anyone who doesn’t know). While I wasn’t disappointed with his recounting of that moment, I was quite disappointed in what came before and after. The sheer number of reckless decisions he made as an “experienced” outdoorsman to get himself in the predicament he faced is pretty inexcusable. What is worse is he brushes it off with a mix of machismo and naivety.
Ralston had the opportunity to turn his experience into a teachable lesson. Unfortunately, instead of passing on some wisdom in the form of do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do, he revels in his ingenuity and props himself up as some sort of folk hero living the way of the free spirit in an age of shackles. Never mind the people who might have risked their lives to try and save him from his decisions. Never mind the family and friends who might have been devastated when he didn’t come home. That is all secondary to the thrill. Ultimately, Between a Rock and a Hard Place glamorizes taking unnecessary risks and a cheap view of life.
With Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Aron Ralston paints himself as the hero of the folly of his own errors in judgment where his survival hinges on one desperate act of self-preservation. Neither heroic nor self-aware, Ralston comes across as oblivious to his own foolishness, proud of his own recklessness, and reveling in his new-found war story around the campfire as he one-ups the other adrenaline junkies with his missing arm and a smile. Based on his closing comments in the book, it doesn’t appear Ralston has learned anything other than how to capitalize on his fifteen minutes of fame. A monument to modern day myopia, Between a Rock and a Hard Place serves only as a guide for what not to do.
“That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That’s their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long. You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. You have been heading for this situation for a long time. Look how far you came to find this spot. It’s not that you’re getting what you deserve - you’re getting what you wanted.”
I’ll give Aron Ralston credit for this – he survived what probably should have been his end by doing something that most of us could never fathom doing while sitting reading about it at home. That said, Between a Rock and a Hard Place really serves as a field guide for absolutely everything you should never do in the great outdoors. However, Ralston seems to miss the point of his own ordeal, speaking of himself as some free spirit who overcame incredible odds instead of displaying a level of humility for getting supremely lucky in spite of breaking every single rule of wilderness survival.
I had heard about Ralston’s ordeal in an interview before I read Between a Rock and a Hard Place, so I was curious what must have been going through his head at the moment he made the decision to do what he did to escape (I’m not going to spoil it for anyone who doesn’t know). While I wasn’t disappointed with his recounting of that moment, I was quite disappointed in what came before and after. The sheer number of reckless decisions he made as an “experienced” outdoorsman to get himself in the predicament he faced is pretty inexcusable. What is worse is he brushes it off with a mix of machismo and naivety.
Ralston had the opportunity to turn his experience into a teachable lesson. Unfortunately, instead of passing on some wisdom in the form of do-as-I-say-not-as-I-do, he revels in his ingenuity and props himself up as some sort of folk hero living the way of the free spirit in an age of shackles. Never mind the people who might have risked their lives to try and save him from his decisions. Never mind the family and friends who might have been devastated when he didn’t come home. That is all secondary to the thrill. Ultimately, Between a Rock and a Hard Place glamorizes taking unnecessary risks and a cheap view of life.
With Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Aron Ralston paints himself as the hero of the folly of his own errors in judgment where his survival hinges on one desperate act of self-preservation. Neither heroic nor self-aware, Ralston comes across as oblivious to his own foolishness, proud of his own recklessness, and reveling in his new-found war story around the campfire as he one-ups the other adrenaline junkies with his missing arm and a smile. Based on his closing comments in the book, it doesn’t appear Ralston has learned anything other than how to capitalize on his fifteen minutes of fame. A monument to modern day myopia, Between a Rock and a Hard Place serves only as a guide for what not to do.
July 25, 2016
Note on my review below: I found out yesterday that Aron Ralston did marry and have a son, but that he has since been divorced, acquired a girlfriend, had another child, and been arrested for domestic abuse. Evidently, he still hasn't made much progress in his relationships. Here is the review I wrote a couple of weeks ago:
I can’t remember the last time a book mesmerized me so completely. I skimmed it the first time, just to see what happened, although I’d heard the story already. Then I started the book again, reading every single word, and I couldn’t put it down. Aron Ralston has a wonderful way with words and a great eye for detail. Also, he survived a horrendous and very gripping ordeal. But as I read, I was waiting for three things to happen. (1) Would Aron come to see the value of his life, and not endanger it needlessly? As I read of his earlier adventures, especially his solo winter mountaineering, where he narrowly escaped death several times, I was surprised that he was still alive for the slot canyon adventure that cost him his arm. (2) Would he see a purpose in life beyond himself? Before the accident, his life was a round of parties, concerts, and outdoor adventure. Would that change? (3) He prayed to God twice during his ordeal, the second time very humbly and sincerely. The inspiration for his escape came shortly after that second prayer. Would he acknowledge God’s hand in his deliverance?
The book was published only a year after the incident, and maybe the totality of his experience hadn’t completely settled into him yet, but here’s what the ending of the book told me: (1) Aron gauged his recovery by the outdoor adventures he was able to get back into, especially the dangerous ones. With the help of three corporations, he designed a special prosthetic device that would allow him to resume his mountaineering, and he was especially excited to get back to his solo winter climbs. (2) He has inspired people everywhere with his courage and ingenuity, and he has become a motivational speaker. But he still affirms that “our purpose as spiritual beings is to follow our bliss and seek our passions.” So he is still very much into himself. Has he made any progress in his relationships with others? Where is the little 3-year-old boy he saw in his dream? (3) This was the most discouraging for me. After his prayers to God had been answered in a very miraculous way, he ended by book by saying “there are energies larger than we are that surround us everywhere, and when the times are right, we can connect with those energies.” So much for God.
Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book. It’s more than just a good read. I felt like I lived Aron’s adventure, and it left its mark on me.
I can’t remember the last time a book mesmerized me so completely. I skimmed it the first time, just to see what happened, although I’d heard the story already. Then I started the book again, reading every single word, and I couldn’t put it down. Aron Ralston has a wonderful way with words and a great eye for detail. Also, he survived a horrendous and very gripping ordeal. But as I read, I was waiting for three things to happen. (1) Would Aron come to see the value of his life, and not endanger it needlessly? As I read of his earlier adventures, especially his solo winter mountaineering, where he narrowly escaped death several times, I was surprised that he was still alive for the slot canyon adventure that cost him his arm. (2) Would he see a purpose in life beyond himself? Before the accident, his life was a round of parties, concerts, and outdoor adventure. Would that change? (3) He prayed to God twice during his ordeal, the second time very humbly and sincerely. The inspiration for his escape came shortly after that second prayer. Would he acknowledge God’s hand in his deliverance?
The book was published only a year after the incident, and maybe the totality of his experience hadn’t completely settled into him yet, but here’s what the ending of the book told me: (1) Aron gauged his recovery by the outdoor adventures he was able to get back into, especially the dangerous ones. With the help of three corporations, he designed a special prosthetic device that would allow him to resume his mountaineering, and he was especially excited to get back to his solo winter climbs. (2) He has inspired people everywhere with his courage and ingenuity, and he has become a motivational speaker. But he still affirms that “our purpose as spiritual beings is to follow our bliss and seek our passions.” So he is still very much into himself. Has he made any progress in his relationships with others? Where is the little 3-year-old boy he saw in his dream? (3) This was the most discouraging for me. After his prayers to God had been answered in a very miraculous way, he ended by book by saying “there are energies larger than we are that surround us everywhere, and when the times are right, we can connect with those energies.” So much for God.
Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book. It’s more than just a good read. I felt like I lived Aron’s adventure, and it left its mark on me.
March 2, 2022
Dear Aron Ralston,
What an amazing story. I find it a little ironic that I picked it up and read and finished it at the same month/time the accident occurred. I was amazed at your experiences and stamina and wanted to go camping after reading it. I'm not for winter camping, but I love being in the mountains. After reading about risk after risk you would take, I started to get a little disgusted that you kept putting your life into threatening situations. I came to the same conclusion that you did about "going out to look for adventure, alone." I guess, in a way, you had it coming to you, but even still, you did not give up, you did not give in and you gave your all, even to when you thought it was the end. All things happen for a reason and it wasn't an accident that you realized how to get out of your situation just when a helicopter would be in the area. I do have one question for you though. Have you gotten your blonde little boy? I believe those things in life are real. Now I'm on a mission to google you and see what your life is up to lately. I also saw they may be making a movie of your experience. I'll watch it. As well as your documentaries. You've inspired me. Even to push my body in small degrees knowing my soul is capable of more. Thank you for your story.
Katie
What an amazing story. I find it a little ironic that I picked it up and read and finished it at the same month/time the accident occurred. I was amazed at your experiences and stamina and wanted to go camping after reading it. I'm not for winter camping, but I love being in the mountains. After reading about risk after risk you would take, I started to get a little disgusted that you kept putting your life into threatening situations. I came to the same conclusion that you did about "going out to look for adventure, alone." I guess, in a way, you had it coming to you, but even still, you did not give up, you did not give in and you gave your all, even to when you thought it was the end. All things happen for a reason and it wasn't an accident that you realized how to get out of your situation just when a helicopter would be in the area. I do have one question for you though. Have you gotten your blonde little boy? I believe those things in life are real. Now I'm on a mission to google you and see what your life is up to lately. I also saw they may be making a movie of your experience. I'll watch it. As well as your documentaries. You've inspired me. Even to push my body in small degrees knowing my soul is capable of more. Thank you for your story.
Katie
May 16, 2011
This is the vehement story of mountaineer Aron Ralston who always, for he starts an expedition, tells his friends and family where he's going to climb.
Just not this time, may 2003, in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon, he falls into a cave and by the most uncredible bad luck his hand gets stuck between a big massive rock.
This book describes Ralston's struggle against thirst, hunger, desperation, pain, stress and anxiety, because nobody knows where he is.
His situation keeps getting worse and worse. Running out of water, his hand dies off (because of no bloodcirculation) and he gets visions.
Recording his farewell to his family on his handycam...
All this time he has one option, but rejects this as soon that thought comes up his mind.
Everyone knows what he has done to release his self. (or the cover will spoil it)
In 2004 I heard about this story of a collegue, in 2008 I read the book and I am glad this is filmed by Danny Boyle in 2010. (A good movie by the way, where Ralston is in the end-shot for a second).
I read once that someone said: This guy got balls as a solid rock. ;)
Just not this time, may 2003, in Utah's Bluejohn Canyon, he falls into a cave and by the most uncredible bad luck his hand gets stuck between a big massive rock.
This book describes Ralston's struggle against thirst, hunger, desperation, pain, stress and anxiety, because nobody knows where he is.
His situation keeps getting worse and worse. Running out of water, his hand dies off (because of no bloodcirculation) and he gets visions.
Recording his farewell to his family on his handycam...
All this time he has one option, but rejects this as soon that thought comes up his mind.
Everyone knows what he has done to release his self. (or the cover will spoil it)
In 2004 I heard about this story of a collegue, in 2008 I read the book and I am glad this is filmed by Danny Boyle in 2010. (A good movie by the way, where Ralston is in the end-shot for a second).
I read once that someone said: This guy got balls as a solid rock. ;)
February 20, 2012
Right off the bat, I want to say that I wish no harm to anyone, but this kid was headed for disaster and didn't seem to mind if he took others with him. This book is page after page of his blatant disregard for himself, others and nature. Beside his poor choice in music, he seems to thrive on just plain poor choices. I'm happy that he had the wear with all and physical strength to survive what would of been a horrible situation for anyone, but did he learn anything from it? Loosing his arm is just another bragging right, a testament to how "extreme" he is. I understand that he now has a wife and child. For their sakes I hope that he has grown up. This guy is no hero, just lucky. Ready this book just made me depressed.
May 11, 2025
Incredible story, listened to on audible- has great pace and delivered great.
July 3, 2009
I wanted to reveal to myself who I was: the kind of person who died, or the kind of person who overcame circumstances to help himself and others.
This is a story that, by all accounts, should not have been told in the first-person. How Aron Ralston managed to survive six days trapped beneath that boulder, with his health, sanity and spirit in tact is beyond me. He's definitely strong, determined and more than a little lucky, but I couldn't stop one thought from forming in the back of my mind as I read through his struggle:
Did it ever seem to him that all the near-misses and almost-deaths had caught up to him in Blue John Canyon?
He even admits that there were several times in his early outdoorsman career where he made rash (and stupid) decisions that ended up putting him, and sometimes his friends, in grave danger, and yet he and they always made it out safe and sound with a good story to tell. Was this incident, this one-in-a-million chance of the chockstone falling and pinning him to the canyon wall retribution from the fates for all the times he skitted out of their grasp?
Going through the book, I was surprised at how eloquent and descriptive he was. I hadn't been prepared for his story to read as a "story", or for him to pour so much of his love for adventure and scenery into the telling that I could see and feel it all.
Mr. Ralston is blessed - not only with his life, when he could have easily remained lost in that canyon, but also because of the support and belief of his family and friends. It must have been torment for him to go back and watch the video he had taken of himself inside the canyon, when all hope had deserted him, and it must have been worse for his mother to watch that with him.
His strength is inspiring, and his will is remarkable. He very easily could have glossed over some of his earlier incidents, leaving out the bear stalking, the avalanche and the jump into the river, but he told those stories with great relish, and embraced the mistakes and the impact those mistakes had on his life.
Mr. Ralston's upfront honesty, lust for life - for living, and the occasional and altogether refreshing bits of humor sprinkled throughout the book helped gloss over some of the more gory parts, and really tied everything from his childhood to the hike that led him into Blue John Canyon together.
This is a story that, by all accounts, should not have been told in the first-person. How Aron Ralston managed to survive six days trapped beneath that boulder, with his health, sanity and spirit in tact is beyond me. He's definitely strong, determined and more than a little lucky, but I couldn't stop one thought from forming in the back of my mind as I read through his struggle:
Did it ever seem to him that all the near-misses and almost-deaths had caught up to him in Blue John Canyon?
He even admits that there were several times in his early outdoorsman career where he made rash (and stupid) decisions that ended up putting him, and sometimes his friends, in grave danger, and yet he and they always made it out safe and sound with a good story to tell. Was this incident, this one-in-a-million chance of the chockstone falling and pinning him to the canyon wall retribution from the fates for all the times he skitted out of their grasp?
Going through the book, I was surprised at how eloquent and descriptive he was. I hadn't been prepared for his story to read as a "story", or for him to pour so much of his love for adventure and scenery into the telling that I could see and feel it all.
Mr. Ralston is blessed - not only with his life, when he could have easily remained lost in that canyon, but also because of the support and belief of his family and friends. It must have been torment for him to go back and watch the video he had taken of himself inside the canyon, when all hope had deserted him, and it must have been worse for his mother to watch that with him.
His strength is inspiring, and his will is remarkable. He very easily could have glossed over some of his earlier incidents, leaving out the bear stalking, the avalanche and the jump into the river, but he told those stories with great relish, and embraced the mistakes and the impact those mistakes had on his life.
Mr. Ralston's upfront honesty, lust for life - for living, and the occasional and altogether refreshing bits of humor sprinkled throughout the book helped gloss over some of the more gory parts, and really tied everything from his childhood to the hike that led him into Blue John Canyon together.
July 12, 2012
Many of you have seen 127 Hours, a 2010 film that took the adventure docudrama world by storm. James Franco magnificently portrays Aron Ralston, a man trapped in the vast desert of Moab for 127 hours in the most dire of circumstances- virtually no water, no food, no sleep, and the small inconvenience of having his hand stuck in between a slot canyon he was traversing, and a half-ton boulder. As all of you know, and hopefully will not be shocked at this spoiler alert, he amputates his own hand in order to escape his solitary prison. Franco was nominated for an Academy Award for his acting, and it inspired me to experience the thrilling adventure in a deeper way through Ralston's self account.
I won't go into much depth in this review, but Ralston, aside from being an outdoors aficionado, is an accomplished writer, and this biography sucked me in as I read each word, feeling as though I was trapped in that canyon with him. I laughed when he laughed, I cried when he cried, and his story seriously touched me the last few days while experiencing it. His trapped duration and 6 days without sleep in complete solitude allowed him to face his own life and every aspect of it. Family, future, spirituality, mortality, loss, hope, and love dominate his aura and taunt his senses. As he finally frees himself from his shackles, he likens it to a second birth. "For the second time in my life, I am being born. This time I am being delivered from the canyon's pink womb, where I have been incubating. This time I am a grown adult, and I understand the significance and power of this birth as none of us can when it happens the first time." Poetically written, with a brilliant foreshadowing via previous adventures and near-death experiences, this story will give you both a passion for the beauty in the world around you and a newly recognized love for life and humanity.
I won't go into much depth in this review, but Ralston, aside from being an outdoors aficionado, is an accomplished writer, and this biography sucked me in as I read each word, feeling as though I was trapped in that canyon with him. I laughed when he laughed, I cried when he cried, and his story seriously touched me the last few days while experiencing it. His trapped duration and 6 days without sleep in complete solitude allowed him to face his own life and every aspect of it. Family, future, spirituality, mortality, loss, hope, and love dominate his aura and taunt his senses. As he finally frees himself from his shackles, he likens it to a second birth. "For the second time in my life, I am being born. This time I am being delivered from the canyon's pink womb, where I have been incubating. This time I am a grown adult, and I understand the significance and power of this birth as none of us can when it happens the first time." Poetically written, with a brilliant foreshadowing via previous adventures and near-death experiences, this story will give you both a passion for the beauty in the world around you and a newly recognized love for life and humanity.
July 31, 2015
This book was really conflicting to me. I found that I really enjoyed the writing. It flowed really well and told an interesting story. Unfortunately, it had the most unsympathetic character that I have ever read in nonfiction (or fiction, for that matter).
Aron Ralston is arrogant, self-centered, and completely oblivious to others when planning his own life. He loves to go hiking in the wilderness and mountain climbing. He loves to solo climb mountains and go skiing in areas that are clearly unsafe. Through the whole book, I kept on catching myself wishing that he would die or at least be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.
I know that this book is supposed to be inspirational and I suppose it is for some. But not me. When I read this, I think of that day the helicopter crashed on Mount Hood. Or a day a fire service vehicle rolled over and killed a volunteer firemen on the Horse Heaven Hills who was trying to put out a fire started by illegal fireworks.
How many times do emergency service personnel risk their lives to go after someone who is clearly only thinking of their own glory?
Aron Ralston - when he got pinned by the boulder and amputated his own hand - had no emergency equipment, had not told anyone where he was going. He was irresponsible and did not deserve all the praise and celebrity he got. It only encouraged him.
I wonder if he learned any lessons from his experience? I highly doubt it as people like him rarely do.
I can only say that I enjoyed the book - just not the ending. (I was especially appalled by the bio of the author which stated that he has a child. Good God! I dread to think how he'll raise him.) I am also glad that I checked it out and had not purchased it. I wouldn't want to encourage him any more.
Aron Ralston is arrogant, self-centered, and completely oblivious to others when planning his own life. He loves to go hiking in the wilderness and mountain climbing. He loves to solo climb mountains and go skiing in areas that are clearly unsafe. Through the whole book, I kept on catching myself wishing that he would die or at least be wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.
I know that this book is supposed to be inspirational and I suppose it is for some. But not me. When I read this, I think of that day the helicopter crashed on Mount Hood. Or a day a fire service vehicle rolled over and killed a volunteer firemen on the Horse Heaven Hills who was trying to put out a fire started by illegal fireworks.
How many times do emergency service personnel risk their lives to go after someone who is clearly only thinking of their own glory?
Aron Ralston - when he got pinned by the boulder and amputated his own hand - had no emergency equipment, had not told anyone where he was going. He was irresponsible and did not deserve all the praise and celebrity he got. It only encouraged him.
I wonder if he learned any lessons from his experience? I highly doubt it as people like him rarely do.
I can only say that I enjoyed the book - just not the ending. (I was especially appalled by the bio of the author which stated that he has a child. Good God! I dread to think how he'll raise him.) I am also glad that I checked it out and had not purchased it. I wouldn't want to encourage him any more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,168 reviews