Friday, November 19, 2010

Book Review and Giveaway: The Summit

I am so excited to have the chance to read and review The Summit by Eric Alexander.  When I found out I'd be doing this, I was fortunate enough to catch Eric being interviewed by Ryan Dobson.  That got me even more interested in the book!

Eric Alexander has such an amazing story.  You can check out his blog, Higher Summits, for a bio.  This isn't normally the type of book I tend to go for, but knowing that Eric has done some work with Colorado School for the Blind made me more interested.  In fact, I nearly drove to town the day of the Dobson interview to see him at a local climbing store working with local students.  You can see a clip from that here.

Okay, so what is the book about?  From the publisher: 
It’s one of the greatest challenges one can face on Earth; an ascent to the top of the world on the slopes of Mount Everest. Eric Alexander experienced grace and a faith-empowering journey he will never forget as part of a record-setting team in May 2001, scaling the heights of Everest with his friend, blind climber Erik Weinhenmayer.
• Experience some of the most dangerous locations in the world, including abject terror on Amadablam, a blind ski descent of Russia’s Mount Elbrus, and up Kilimanjaro in Africa with four blind teens
• Gain wisdom in the application of trust, courage, innovation, teamwork, leadership, and integrity to overcome your own Everests
• Discover practical faith lessons learned on the highest peaks of six continents

Here is the powerful story of Eric Alexander and his unique life journey of guiding people with disabilities to the most perilous places of the world, including Mount Everest’s first blind ascent. In The Summit: Faith Beyond Everest’s Death Zone you will follow in their historic footsteps, and learn about faith, trust, prayer, depending on God, as well as the perseverance needed during these climbs and in your own life. Be inspired and motivated by Eric’s insight, not simply to survive but to thrive every day in God’s grace.

We have been using this book as a family read-aloud, and I have to say that I highly recommend this for boy-heavy families like mine!  One idea is that everyone has their own Everest -- what is yours, and what is your plan to conquer it?  I cannot begin to tell you what a wonderful message this is for my teen/tween boys right now.  And I am enjoying it far more than I expected to as well.  Because although this is a story about climbing mountains, it is way more than a story about mountain climbing.  It's a story of life, of faith, of conquering obstacles. 

Check out the video:

And if you repost this video (on your blog, on facebook, wherever) and fill out this form (please tell them I told you about it!), you could win a Kindle with The Summit preloaded... or you could win a copy of the book from me!  (Disclaimer -- crediting me on the giveaway form puts me into a separate contest for a Kindle!)

Yep, I get to give a book away!  Entering is pretty straightforward.
  1. Post the video, fill out the form, and leave me a comment each time you do that...
  2. You can also get an entry for telling me about your Everest in the comments here.
  3. And, okay, you can also leave me a comment if you follow my blog via Google Friend Connect or Networked Blogs (two comments if you follow both ways).
Enter early, enter often...  like the Kindle giveaway, I will end this giveaway on November 22, and announce the winner on the 23rd.


Disclaimer:   I received this book, and the giveaway copy, for free from New Leaf Publishing Group.  No other compensation was received.  The fact that I received a complimentary product does not guarantee a favorable review. 

10 comments:

SisterTipster said...

Hello Debra~
Enter me up~my son would like this one!

http://sistertipster.blogspot.com/2010/11/giveaway-summit-book-about-climb-of-mt.html

SisterTipster said...

Entry 2

My Summit: becoming healthy...

SisterTipster said...

I'm a follower!

Penny said...

Enter me, please! http://notnewtoautism.blogspot.com/2010/11/share-summit-giveaway.html

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

This definitely would be an amazing book to read and win.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

I follow by google reader.

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

I also follow by Networked Blogs.

cenya2 at hotmail dot com

Michelle Smith said...

I'll enter! :)

http://homeschoolblogger.com/alifebetterthanidese/783921/

Michelle Smith said...

My Everest? Doing the Fit Mommy Challenge right now is pretty big, while balancing all my other responsibilities. :)

Michelle Smith said...

I follow via Google Friend Connect.

Michelle Smith said...

I follow via Networked Blogs. :)