Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"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.

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

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.

This is an excellent book that causes one to respond with wonder and action.

This book was not only exciting, it was also toucning and deeply moving. It also wasn't too "Christiany". It was an honest look at one man's faith and it didn't end like you want it to, but that's how life is. This was one of the best books I've read in a while.

Once you read the first few pages, this is a very hard book to put down! The author and his brother and their other friends have an adventurous side to them that most of us only dream (or read)about. The book was very well written, especially for a young first time author. These guys certainly have a heart for ministry and for service and for adventure. The honesty of the author's doubts and questions were very honest and forces the reader to do some thinking of their own. If you are looking for a book that is a happy, feel good book about following Christ and the wonderful things He can do in your life...read this book! It is none of those things, but it will stretch you in ways that makes you uncomfortable...and as Christians we all need to feel uncomfortable sometimes!

This is an extraordinary book by a young man who has lived and seen what the worst of mankind can do and managed to survive and become a better man in spite of all the crap this life has thrown at him. I can see this book on Oprah's book club very soon. It is not only that good, it is that important. The writing is honest and straight forward. It made me feel that it was ok to question what I believed and realize that if you never question or doubt what you that than how do you know if it is really true? This was truly an amazing story and an inspiration to me to get off my couch and out of my comfort zone and do something with my life to make a difference in this world that we all share.

This is a well written recounting of a great adventure, an adventure that ends in tradjedy. While the majority of the book is the story preceeding the horrific events, it is the story that portrays life, adventure, and faith that doesn't look like typical cookie-cutter Christianity. It is filled with questions and real struggles...and this is how the story concludes with the terrorist events in Cairo. A gripping story, one that will challenge and comfort all at the same time. A very worthwhile read.

This book is a must read. After picking it up for the first time, you will not be able to put it down. Eric's vivid journey grips your heart and lifts you up the entire way through the book.

An outstanding piece of work. It's a shame this book is limited by the "Christian" classification. Considering how few honest, balanced books there are about surviving such a thing as a suicide bombing, living after loved ones have died next to you...well, Erik's is a one-of-a-kind. The general rhetoric isn't Blake or Stegner, but the story is still told in a voice that is authentic. Questions are asked and not answered in all the ways that are good. Read this book. And then Share it.