The Only Road North: 9,000 Miles of Dirt and Dreams [Paperback]

Eric Mirandette (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 9, 2007

dangerous trek across Africa ... a life-and-death struggle ... and a call to live a life with no holds barred. Deserts and jungles, rebels and missionaries, bullets and acts of bravery, heaven and hell on earth---these are all part of a young man's remarkable, true journey through thirteen African countries with his brother and two best friends. Erik Mirandette was completing a two-year stint with a humanitarian organization in Morocco when, continuing his quest to live the life he was created to live, he set off on an unforgettable pilgrimage. Beginning in Cape Town, Erik, his brother, and his two best friends covered 9,000 miles north by dirt bike, experiencing the poverty, beauty, and dangers of the African continent. Then in Cairo, having safely reached the end of their perilous journey, a terrorist's bomb ripped Erik's world and faith apart. The four travelers were now desperately wounded and on the brink of death. Erik's struggle along his journey of faith is as gripping as his trek across Africa. The Only Road North takes readers to corners of the world and depths of the human heart they will never forget.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mirandette made headlines when he and two friends were severely injured by a terrorist bomb in Cairo, Egypt, in April of 2005. His brother, Alex, who was weeks away from his 19th birthday, died in the attack. It was a tragic end to a journey that began in Cape Town, South Africa, months earlier when three young men (a fourth joined them later) set out on the journey that would change their lives. Mirandette had felt God's insistent call while studying at the U.S. Air Force Academy; he left the U.S. to help a relief organization in Melilla, Spain, then to assist earthquake victims in Morocco. But he felt he needed to see and experience the rest of Africa, so the young men took off together. His account of their 9,000-mile motorcycle journey is riveting. They faced wild animals, hostile people, civil wars, a lack of food and several crashes along the way, but this intrepid group never wavered in their resolve to finish the trip—until a bomb ripped their worlds apart. Mirandette reveals his own religious searching, questions and qualms, yet urges readers to make the choice to "follow and believe." This is a tale of spiritual quest and huge adventure that ends in tragedy but not regret. (Apr.)
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Review

'A story of purpose and adventure, struggles and victories, gains and losses....An action-packed testimony of God's grace that leaves you questioning the lengths you would go to follow destiny when it calls. Erik's struggles with finding God in the midst of terror, tests, and trials become your struggles as you embark on this journey that gives you a sense of encouragement that can be applied to your everyday struggles with life and God.' -- YouthWorker Journal

(YouthWorker Journal )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 9, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310274354
• ISBN-13: 978-0310274353
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #545,305 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #97 in Books > Travel > Africa > Egypt

More About the Author

Erik Mirandette, a state pole-vaulting champion in high school, attended the U.S. Air Force Academy for two years before going overseas to serve with a humanitarian mission in Morocco. He has since returned to the Academy and is currently finishing his degree in political science/international relations.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars truly an experience, April 15, 2007

By 

Alex Clift - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Only Road North: 9,000 Miles of Dirt and Dreams (Paperback)

"I invite you to share my experiences, to join me on this journey, but warn that after a long and trepidant road we will finally arrive before we started, with more questions than answers, completely and totally unsettled, but ever searching, ever hopeful."

This introduction accurately describes Eirk Mirandette's amazing journey. This book asks questions that many people do not want to ask about themselves, and leaves it up to us to find the answers. It is not a self-help book, but it has made more of a difference in my life than almost any other book I have ever read.

I highly recommend it to anyone who has ever wondered what their purpose in life is, or thought that there might be more to life than how we are living now.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unsettled, June 5, 2007

By 

B. Gensic "B. Gensic" (Fort Wayne, Indiana) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Only Road North: 9,000 Miles of Dirt and Dreams (Paperback)

Many "Christian" books today offer too much of a formulaic approach while addressing popular topics such as "3 keys to become a better Christian"..."creating a more effective prayer life"...or even..."7 steps to realizing God's plan for your life". I am not pointing this out to say these types of books are wrong or bad. Rather, my intention is to contrast these with "The Only Road North". I recommend this book to anyone, like me, that has an easier time relating to real life examples. Erik's story will challenge you to seek Truth, and help you grow in ways only possible by asking the hard questions associated with tragic experiences. As a reader, I am left unsettled. Unsettled and asking questions that can only lead toward a greater understanding of God's Truth.

But, if you absolutely must follow a formula to seek truth in your own life, than try this...
1)read this book
2)imagine yourself in Erik's situation
3)allow yourself to become unsettled
4)ask tough questions

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story..., April 27, 2007

By 

D. Anderson "library worker" (Arkansas) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Only Road North: 9,000 Miles of Dirt and Dreams (Paperback)

I started this book and did not want to stop reading. The adventure these guys went on and the friendship they shared was amazing and something I can't imagine, but it was great thinking about it as I read. The end broke my heart, but I am still so glad I read this book.