Customer Reviews

Be Brave, Be Strong: A Journey Across the Great Divide

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
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If I've learned one thing from my ongoing and mostly disappointing quest for good adventure documentaries and literature, it's that maps and distances and images usually tell stories better than we do. In the face of incredible beauty and incredible hardship, our words fall flat and collapse into painful habits. But Jill's don't. They bring to life what alone stands as a fantastic journey. It's hard to imagine pushing oneself to one's mental and physical limit every day for three or maybe even four weeks. It's hard to imagine being able to do this if one were in a perfect state of mental and physical readiness leading up to the race. But I can't imagine what it takes to pull this kind of effort out of shambles and devastation. I loved this story for the exhausted, snowy night-time slogs, for the quiet moments of mountain exaltation, for the confusing relationships, and even more for the revelation that comes from it all: that this race was not something to finish before starting anew, but rather that the race itself was a new beginning - of something brave and strong. So here's to hoping that a third one's on its way!

With terrific photos of the beauty of landscape and individual and group determination to succeed in their goals, "Be Brave, Be Strong" is a moving work of one women's tremendous journey to complete a dream after heartbreak. Although a memoir of sorts and a detailing of her experiences, I appreciated the flowing style that reminded me of the storytelling tradition of my people, not just someone telling their story. We're given fascinating views into the internal struggle and psychological influences that allow some people to push their mind and body to the edge and actually achieve heightened awareness and ability that forever creates in them a craving to experience it again and again.

I especially enjoy biographic books on adventure and exploration, so this was a special treat for me, especially in that the author's skill makes you feel like you're there in the moment. Even if you are not actually participating then at least you're watching and cheering them on. Vivid images of the people and situations encountered are both profound and simple, just like life's own mysteries and realities. Courageous and astonishing, I believe this is one of the best personal testaments of its kind that I've read.

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If you read Jill's blog, you probably enjoy not only the adventure stories, but also her gift for drawing correlations between adventure and the emotions of life. This book is no less satisfying in in doing that. It is a tale personal struggle and triumph on the hardest mountain bike race there is. We learn about the race itself and the riders that endure it. Jill brings us a first hand account of the daily struggles and beauty. And as she takes us along on the quest, she also allows access to her personal feelings and emotions. I think that's what makes this a great read that everyone who longs for an adventure, big or small, can relate to. Jill maintains that level of sincere writing until the very end and finishes her work strong, just like her title.

I am in awe of people like Jill Homer, who attempt and complete huge endeavors by tapping into their personal strengths. In "Be Brave, Be Strong", I followed Jill on her trek through an arduous Great Divide bicycle race. It seemed to rain everyday and the entire Divide was a hodgepodge of obstacles and mud. Nonetheless, she did not give up.

Jill is as accomplished an author as she is a bicyclist. Her descriptions of the beautiful western U.S. landscapes brought the journey to life and the goodwill exhibited by strangers showed the warmth of the people who live there. It was refreshing to see so many strangers who helped her throughout her journey. I truly enjoyed this reading adventure.

This book is about the author's experience mountain biking the Tour Divide Race (I think that's the one she did, I read it a while ago). Even though I am not a mountain biker I really enjoyed this book, in fact I couldn't put it down. I found it really inspirational and exciting. I couldn't put it down.

I loved this book and I love Jill's blog: arcticglass.blogspot.com. I recommend this book, her other book and the blog. She is an excellent writer having amazing adventures with a perfect mix of introspection and motion. I started reading her blog a couple years ago, picked up this book and then her other book when it came out and I think it has actually changed my life in that I am getting out there and doing more following her example.

If anyone can recommend more books like this to me I would be very grateful!

What an amazing quest! I felt like I was sitting on a seat behind Jill feeling every turn, climb, pain, frustration and desperation she felt. I can't imagine how someone could reach inside of themselves like she did and pull herself up out of utter darkness to complete a journey that for all intend and purposes is there to defeat anyone who dares to try. She did what a lot of people including myself would never dream of attempting. Jill, you are a woman with inter-strength that most of us don't have. I'm now downloading your first book, which I should have read first. If it's anything like this book, it will be hard to put down.

Ray

Ever since I watched the movie "Ride the Divide [Blu-ray]" by Hunter Weeks and Mike Dion, I've been thirsty for almost everything that contains the stories of racers who rode this mythical route.

When Mike Dion promoted Jill Homer's book on Facebook, I didn't even think twice. I immediately bought the book for my Kindle and started reading. Being a not so rabid book reader, i believe I finished this book in record time. It was that fascinating and eye opening. With Jill's words, I somehow managed to see with my eyes the beauty of the continental divide that can't possibly fit in a two-hour film.

Thank you very much for the honesty, Jill. Despite being in a third world country, I dream of riding the Tour Divide and get to be brave and strong, just like you.

Jill Homer writes delightful stuff - if you're into nature, adventure, perseverance and the experience of 'digging deep.' While her blog, 'articglass' is consistently compelling and entertaining, "Be Brave" showcases her storytelling. Also, you may want to consider her first book, "Ghost Trails" as a super precursor to "Be Brave..."

I like this book very much. I've followed Jill's blog for several years and own/read her first book too. I enjoyed reading this one even more than the first. Her writing is continually improving. The only disappointment in both books is the lack of color photos. Her photography in color is AMAZING. It was fun and interesting to read this book because it fills in some of the details, experiences, and feelings she didn't write about on her blog. I think Jill does a very good job at being open and personal while maintaining respect for other people's feelings and privacy. I credit Jill for getting me back on a bike after twenty years off. I admire her attitude and perspective. I love how she doesn't let injuries of all sorts stop her from reaching her goals and living fully. She is inspirational.

The Great Divide is a 2,740 mile mountain bike race from Canada to Mexico across the Continental Divide. Jill, a newspaper editor in Alaska decides to undertake this momentous feat amidst injuries, a break-up and the uncertainty of her career. Jill details her journey through the race as she battles rain, mountains, bicycle breakdown, self-doubt and a tumult of emotions regarding her life.

Let me begin by saying that I did enjoy this book. However, I felt at times that the same things happened over and over and that Jill made monumentally stupid decisions. From repeatedly failing to refill her water bag, to trudging ahead with a failing bicycle and failing to take care of injuries, I am quite amazed that she didn't die of dehydration, exhaustion or exposure to the elements. The book was very well written, Jill is a wonderful story teller and I was cheering as she hit the Mexico border.