Customer Reviews

Second Ascent: The Story of Hugh Herr

5 star:		(3)
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It seems like a simple story: Boy meets climbing, boy loses legs, boy learns to climb again and rediscovers the joys of life. But nothing about the story is really that simple - its just like real life, complicated, sometimes perplexing. Alison's vivid and intimate depiction of this true-life heroic tale is masterful, and the hero of the tale is Hugh's terrible and terrific struggle back from losing his legs to again being the filled-with-the-joy-of-life person (and incidentally, a pretty darn good climber) at a more mature level than previously possible. A hidden classic.

I don't leave great reviews, but let me say I love this book. It's a thrilling read and Hugh's intelligence, intensity and focus are inspirational. His ability to own his choices that lead to life altering consequences for himself and others is also inspirational. He's had to overcome a lot of controversy as well as his own disability, and I think he's done more than his share for society in his chosen post-accident career (he designs prosthetics and leads disabled people on climbs, etc.) I could not put this book down!

this was a very good book and i would recommend it to anyone that likes to read about a good struggle and that thinks they have it hard.