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Title: The Hill by Ed Hommer, Daniel Paisner ISBN: 1-57954-449-5 Publisher: Rodale Press Pub. Date: October, 2001 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (7 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Against All Odds
Comment: I'm glad Ed Hommer got the chance to write his inspirational story before his untimely death on Mt. Rainier September 23rd of this year. In spite of the fact that Ed had a co-writer, his own voice rings very clear in this book. There is something very appealing in his modesty, sometimes almost a childlike idealism, and his wrenching appraisals/reappraisals of himself.
Ed grew up in modest circumstances, somewhat of an outsider with not much enthusiasm for school. Early on, he developed a fascination for all things Alaska, seeing it as a Last Frontier and he hung on to his dream. His next goal was to become a pilot, and I was impressed with the adversity he overcame to reach his goal. He had no money, only a high school education and ended up being a pilot for American Airlines.
He finally made it to Alaska, a land he loved forever, and thought he had the world by the tail with a part time job as a bush pilot, his hippie chick girlfriend--the beauteous Sandy, and a baby on the way when disaster struck. He took three passengers (one being his brother-in-law) on a sight seeing jaunt and crashed high up on Mt. McKinley. Two (including the brother-in-law) were injured fatally, but Ed and another passenger were not hurt too badly initially. Then a storm front set in, and would-be rescuers could not reach them for five days. Ed's recounting of these hellish five days is harrowing. The weather was fierce, and by the time the rescuers got there, the two living victims were frostbitten badly. Ed lost both feet above the ankle.
He very honestly admits he was in a tailspin for a long time. He was besieged by legalities he didn't understand, he had a terrible time with the Veteran's Administration who was underwriting most of his massive medical bills including a 3-1/2 month stay in the hospital, physical therapy, and prosthetic devices. He withdrew from life, became apathetic, drank his breakfast, lunch and then some. His marriage suffered irreparable harm. Part of his problem was the miserable time he had with his prosthesis.
Once he attached himself to a goal, he was seemingly unstoppable. He made up his mind he would fly again; he not only achieved the goal, he went back to work. Then he decided he wouldn't get closure until he had successfully summitted Mt. McKinley despite his artificial feet and lower legs. He did it in two tries. Though Ed Hommer didn't care about material goals, he set his sights high and was a miracle of achievement.
Rating: 4
Summary: Minnesota
Comment: I feel that the review by Wisconsin was inaccurate, and only looked at one side of the story. It is true and sad that Ed lost his marriage and his relationship suffered with his children due to his climbing accident. However, I knew Ed and know his children personally. I saw many wonderful, loved filled encounters with his children. Although Ed loved the mountains, his children were the number one thing in his life.
The book did pretty good job of portraying the events of Ed's life. However, what did not come through in the book was Ed's complete love of life, family and friendships. When you spoke with Ed, you were captivated. When he left you, he left you feeling you could climb Mount Everest. It is this type of enthusiasm that touched millions of people around the globe. It is this type of enthusiasm that has fitted other amputees with prosthetic devices, allowing them to live a productive, preamputation state. It is this type of enthusiasm that keeps his foundation, High Exposure, alive...when he is not. It is this type of enthusiasm that makes me extremely proud to call him a friend.
The Hill is a book, nothing more. A short reference of a much larger story. The book captures only a snipit of the man Ed Hommer was, and still is in many hearts. I encourage all readers to take what they can from this book, and not be jaded by personal disparagements.
Rating: 1
Summary: The Hill
Comment: What Ed Hommer accomplished was monumental, until you put in perspective that he was putting himself first... sacrificing his relationship with his children to climb. I met Ed only one time. I did not know him personally. I do know his children and ex-wife. It is a shame that he didn't "fix" himself sooner. While he was off climbing mountains, his children endured months at a time of only support (financially and emotionally) from one parent, their mother. It is sad that Ed died before he could fix those relationships! His children are wonderful people. It is sad that they will not have the opportunity to develop that relationship with their dad. I get angry at him (Ed) for what he put them through. I feel that he was selfish in his endeavors. He is viewed as a great man by many people. I don't see him that way. What he put his family through, specifically his children, overshadows his personal accomplishments.
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Title: Deep Survival: Who Lives, Who Dies, and Why by Laurence Gonzales ISBN: 0393052761 Publisher: W.W. Norton & Company Pub. Date: October, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow : The Dark Side of Extreme Adventure by Maria Coffey ISBN: 0312290659 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 11 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
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Title: Surviving the Extremes: A Doctor's Journey to the Limits of Human Endurance by Kenneth Kamler ISBN: 0312280777 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 20 January, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Four Against the Arctic: Shipwrecked for Six Years at the Top of the World by David Roberts ISBN: 0743224310 Publisher: Simon & Schuster Pub. Date: 01 November, 2003 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson ISBN: 0060730552 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: January, 2004 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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