In the Mountains of Heaven: True Tales of Adventure on Six Continents [Hardcover]

Mike Tidwell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

Vivid, often poignant depictions of far-flung cultures by a Washington, D.C., travel writer transports readers to the vast Congo or the Amazon rain forest.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Tidwell has long been a treasure for readers of the Washington Post's Sunday travel sectionAwhere more than half of these 19 essays were originally published (and whose readers will snatch it off bookstore shelves). While his previous book, The Ponds of Kalambayi, brought Tidwell a wider readership, this collection of his essays may find a smaller one. Still, it is a delight to have them, since in many ways they best capture his unique stylistic combination of awe and delight. Tidwell often uses a small incident to illuminate the special qualities of a culture, aiming, he explains, "to get at what's most important and intimate about a place, to find out what things large or small make it unique, make a place home, for the people who live there." A meeting with a surprising Vietnamese barber, for example, allows him to remark on Hanoi's favorite hairstyle and the pleasure of good conversation. "You're the first American whose hair I've cut," the barber tells Tidwell while snipping his hair. "I shot at many Americans, but never this." Other epiphanies are provoked by the author's experiences serving as the youngest honorary grand marshal in Linz, Germany, negotiating the wilds of Lake Superior and carrying more than 250 pounds of peccary meat through the Amazon. The collection's shorter essays (each only a few pages long) are bookended by two longer pieces: a closing description of time spent among the Mbuti Pygmies of Africa and an introductory tribute to Tidwell's uncle Barry, whose love of travel in the face of great physical pain strikes a poignant note that echoes throughout Tidwell's wry observations. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

If you read the Washington Post, many of the 19 essays in Tidwell's pastiche of travel experiences will be familiar. One or two will also be familiar from his previous travel books (Amazon Stranger and The Ponds of Kalambayi) and magazine articles. However, this recycling should not deter one from globe hopping with the spirited and spiritual Tidwell. His latest book is salted with moments of electrifying insight, bizarre humor, and delightful discovery. Tidwell takes us fishing in Washington, DC, within sight of our nation's monuments; he also takes us for an outdoor haircut in Hanoi; and this intrepid traveler even investigates the mystery of the missing manholes in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and possibly solves it. Moreover, he hunts with natives in the Amazon and Congo, takes us to the Andes and Australia, and brings us along on an overnight train trip with his small son. And, at one point, Tidwell even (almost) overcomes his fear of flying. Highly recommended for all public libraries.DJanet Ross, Sparks Branch Lib., NV
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 244 pages
• Publisher: Lyons Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1585740500
• ISBN-13: 978-1585740505
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,540,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humorous Adventures on Many Continents, February 7, 2002

By 

K. Johnson (US/Asia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Mountains of Heaven: True Tales of Adventure on Six Continents (Hardcover)

This is a very enjoyable read because all of the chapters
focus on a different experience in a different part of the world. Tidwell can write in a way that is short, sweet, and humorous, for he has a sense of fun. He starts out with a visit to his Uncle. He then writes about things that most others wouldn't concern themselves to put on paper, like the
missing man-hole covers in Kyrgyzstan. He leads us on his curious adventure as to why. Why are they missing? Who
takes them? What's the logic behind this phenomenon. And
it's interesting and fun to find out. He also organizes a group
of folks to save someone's life from half the world away.

The fishing expedition in the District of Columbia was fun
and he knows more about D.C. than most life-long residents
ever will know. That's he writes for a lot of rags about his experiences. He wrote about riding on the Metro with his tackle-box and poles with the drained, weary eyed commuters. This is comedy at its best, and it's non-fiction. So was his ride with John T. Love on the roller coaster ride through the thunder storm. And yes, one can learn and gain wisdom from barbers and hair dressers abroad. We can learn more from chatting with them than most of the other people we come across on our treks. Check this book out.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heavenly, January 25, 2001

By 

MTB (Guatemala) - See all my reviews

This review is from: In the Mountains of Heaven: True Tales of Adventure on Six Continents (Hardcover)

At times gripping, at times funny, this is a wonderful collection of essays about the author's adventures in the United States and abroad. Didn't know you could fish in Washington, D.C. -- even within sight of the Washington Monument? (Tidwell shows why the nation's capital is a fishermen's paradise.) Ever had a "flight from hell"? (It probably wasn't as hellish as the flight Tidwell describes.) Ever had a haircut in another country? (Tidwell gets his hair cut in Vietnam by a former member of the Viet Cong who...uh oh...admits to having killed Americans during the war.)

Tidwell's writing is lively, engaging, and personal. Thanks to his energetic prose, you feel as if you're right beside him, whether he's flying halfway around the world or driving through Maryland.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars He somehow gets lots out of a seemingly simple experience, July 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Mountains of Heaven: True Tales of Adventure on Six Continents (Hardcover)

Was very skeptical at first - (not another US Peace Corps' back-to-ethnicity tales) - (I was a VSO [English equivalent in E. Africa]) - but I have to admit, these stories are really captivating. A pity Paul Theroux has to get his old oar in (via some words of appreciation). No need - Mike has his own style. Was especially fascinated by the stories of downtown DC where nature and interesting characters still exist!! Being a Brit who's not yet had the chance to travel Stateside, I'm happy to be reassured that adventure awaits. A good read and time to book a flight!