Today was a big day for my Field Artillery brethren. They have received new orders and they are all going back to lovely Fort Sill, OK for a few more weeks of branch specific training. Dare I say it, but it makes sense that they send us back to our branches to get brushed up on the things we don’t remember. They are keeping the Infantry folks here for a few weeks of grunt stuff, so if the Engineers go along the same path, then myself and one other Sapper here with me will be heading to Fort Lost in the Woods, Missouri. Not particularly looking forward to it, but I know its gotta be better than where I’m at. Ft. Benning is a clean base and all and is home to some pretty hard core training, but I’ve never really liked the surrounding area. I spent a lot of time in Columbus during Airborne school and had a good time going to the movies and hanging out at the Waffle House, but that was a LONG time ago, and urban sprawl has not spared this small military town. The commercial shops and chain restaurants have popped up everywhere, but they are not enough to wash away the bad things, mainly bad memories, of this place.
I finished reading a book yesterday. With the down time I have, I do a lot of reading and I devoured my first deployment book. I was debating about doing a little book review of the publications I’ll be reading while I’m playing Army. In fact, I might just do that. So, here is my review of “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place is the tale of a hiker/climber who had his right hand trapped by a boulder in Utah and had to cut his own arm off in order to survive. The author is actually the hiker who did the amputation and his writing skills are not half bad. I’ve read a lot of adventure books in my time and most tend to follow the same routine: adventurer goes out on an epic quest, adventurer gets in trouble, adventure faces his/her own mortality and either by skill, perseverance, or just dumb luck, they get out of the predicament, adventurer reflects on his/her experience to share the lessons. This book does pretty much the same thing. It is written well by catching the reader’s attention in the first few pages when it tells how Aron gets stuck. He then bounces around chapters explaining how his life has lead him to where he’s stuck in the canyon and how he deals with his ordeal. In the end, he survives, escapes his narrow prison and is rescued.
When I first heard about this story in the news a few years back, I was shocked that a guy would cut off his own arm to save himself. It had the potential to be a great story of courage and bravery and when Nate at work told me about the book, I was eager to read it. After reading the book, I changed my opinion of the author and the experience. I think my opinion of Aron himself clouded my opinion of the story. Not in a bad way, but I have a hard time relating to people who do things only for themselves. He’s all about breaking records, climbing mountains, and showing off all of his great talents that benefit no one but him. At one point, he tells of his experience with a search and rescue group, but the only rescue experience he relates to the reader is his own and not of anyone he actually helped. He seems to think that he enriches his friend’s lives, and it appears that he does in his own way, but he doesn’t really contribute to anything greater than his own desires and dreams. I do admire him for quitting his job as an engineer and pursuing his dream. I have friends who have done just that and I applaud them for leaving their comfort zone to chase that elusive dream. It’s not easy, but we only have one life and you might as well spend it doing something you want than something you feel you’re stuck doing. Anyways, back to the book, I think it’s a good read. I don’t have to like the guy or his outlook on life in order to say that it’s a good story.
Out of a 10 star rating scale, with 10 being the best, I’d give it a 7.
Oh, on a closing note, the other day I was getting my patches for my new unit and discovered that they actually have a patch for IRR soldiers. It’s ironic because most folks in the IRR are civilians and don’t wear the uniform. Again, leave it to the Army to make a patch that would not normally be worn on a uniform.
I finished reading a book yesterday. With the down time I have, I do a lot of reading and I devoured my first deployment book. I was debating about doing a little book review of the publications I’ll be reading while I’m playing Army. In fact, I might just do that. So, here is my review of “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” by Aron Ralston.
Between a Rock and a Hard Place is the tale of a hiker/climber who had his right hand trapped by a boulder in Utah and had to cut his own arm off in order to survive. The author is actually the hiker who did the amputation and his writing skills are not half bad. I’ve read a lot of adventure books in my time and most tend to follow the same routine: adventurer goes out on an epic quest, adventurer gets in trouble, adventure faces his/her own mortality and either by skill, perseverance, or just dumb luck, they get out of the predicament, adventurer reflects on his/her experience to share the lessons. This book does pretty much the same thing. It is written well by catching the reader’s attention in the first few pages when it tells how Aron gets stuck. He then bounces around chapters explaining how his life has lead him to where he’s stuck in the canyon and how he deals with his ordeal. In the end, he survives, escapes his narrow prison and is rescued.
When I first heard about this story in the news a few years back, I was shocked that a guy would cut off his own arm to save himself. It had the potential to be a great story of courage and bravery and when Nate at work told me about the book, I was eager to read it. After reading the book, I changed my opinion of the author and the experience. I think my opinion of Aron himself clouded my opinion of the story. Not in a bad way, but I have a hard time relating to people who do things only for themselves. He’s all about breaking records, climbing mountains, and showing off all of his great talents that benefit no one but him. At one point, he tells of his experience with a search and rescue group, but the only rescue experience he relates to the reader is his own and not of anyone he actually helped. He seems to think that he enriches his friend’s lives, and it appears that he does in his own way, but he doesn’t really contribute to anything greater than his own desires and dreams. I do admire him for quitting his job as an engineer and pursuing his dream. I have friends who have done just that and I applaud them for leaving their comfort zone to chase that elusive dream. It’s not easy, but we only have one life and you might as well spend it doing something you want than something you feel you’re stuck doing. Anyways, back to the book, I think it’s a good read. I don’t have to like the guy or his outlook on life in order to say that it’s a good story.
Out of a 10 star rating scale, with 10 being the best, I’d give it a 7.
Oh, on a closing note, the other day I was getting my patches for my new unit and discovered that they actually have a patch for IRR soldiers. It’s ironic because most folks in the IRR are civilians and don’t wear the uniform. Again, leave it to the Army to make a patch that would not normally be worn on a uniform.
5 comments:
If you do go to Ft. LITW's we can give you the Waco couples(SlickyBoy) info to contact and have a place to stay when you first get there till you get settled. Let me know.
I'll let Nate know you read the book already--I'm sure he'll be pleased to know that! Just sent an e-mail to your hotmail--don't know if you are checking it with your limited computer time or not so I'll say it here too--Jeff's dad passed away. Sorry to have to tell you, but I thought you'd want to know...
I found the blog and really enjoyed it. We are keeping you our thougths and prayers.
Thanks for the review on the books, when I get a chance to read again, I'll remember that.
Look forward to reading more.
I just finished a good book by Billy Crystal titled 700 Sundays. His dad worked two sometimes three jobs when Billy was a boy so he could only spend sundays with his family. When Billy was only fifteen his father passed away. He figures he only to got spend 700 sundays with his dad before he was gone. The book is not a downer like you would think. It is heartwarming, a little sad at times, but tremendously funny. When reading it I could picture Billy Crystal telling this story using his mannerisms and facial expressions. I could almost "hear" him tell the stories about his childhood, eccentric aunts, funloving uncles and his tight relationships he had with his brothers. When you get to a more permanent address I could mail you a copy. It is a fast read. If you like Billy Crystal you would really enjoy this book.
I have been accepted at Madonna and start in May. I am enjoying being unemployed right now. Gaining weight too. Finally! Talk to you later.
When you get settled I'll send you a couple of books that I've read already. I can even throw in some chick books!
Thanks for remembering our anniversary. I think sometimes you remember these dates better than we do.
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