Alan Goldman’s “Reflections on Mountaineering,” Third Edition (2021) Explores Similar Moral Issues That People Face Both in the Wild and in Everyday Life

Alan Goldman’s third edition of “Reflections on Mountaineering” (Outskirts Press; 2021) draws upon his experiences as an avid mountaineer for more than thirty years. The story begins with Alan’s life, and proceeds to observe that the social dilemmas people face in their daily lives also exist in the high mountains, but to a more intense extent. The emotions of awe and wonder, fear (and how to overcome it), the allure of the vast mountains, as well as the roles of luck, fate, and chance are among the topics addressed. Alan endeavors to reveal the “hidden truths” about human nature that mountaineers often recognize, and relate them to situations in everyday life.

The book addresses many issues arising from the act of creating something where there had otherwise been nothing. Three topics of concern emerge from this endeavor. The first is the so-called “existentialist” struggle to create meaningfulness and the process of investing human significance or meaning into inanimate objects. The second is the notion of “flow” -- a psychological condition in which a person is in a highly focused state of mind, giving that person self-confidence and a feeling of competent mastery over his environment. Last, is the idea of the “quest,” which refers to the physical and psychological freedom to engage in the unalienable right to the “pursuit of happiness” as invoked by the Declaration of Independence.

The book dispels the misconception that mountaineering is no more than a frivolous risk-adventure sport played by “adrenaline junkies.” As Alan asserts, mountaineering “is a bold endeavor requiring the most determined and committed individuals who have a sense of history and a respect for the context in which one follows their ambition.” As a mountaineer, he’s gained a variety of insights into human nature under duress, about the nature of reality, and even about the meaning of life itself.

“Reflections on Mountaineering” is highly recommended by others, including several well-established book reviews such as the US Review of Books (2020), by Donna Ford (of a prior edition of the book); the US Review of Books (2021), by Mari Carlson; the Seattle Book Review (2021), by Maileen Hamto; the Portland Book Review (2021), by Theresa Kadair; the San Francisco Book Review (2021), by Alex Telander, the Pacific Book Review (2021), by Anthony Avina, and the IndieReader Review (2021), by Joan Kirschner.

An inspiring and thought-provoking book that received “5-Star Reviews” from Amazon Readers, including Verified Purchasers, Alan’s book has clearly moved many readers. Please see the book’s website: https://www.mountainreflections.art/. Available also on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Reflections-Mountaineering-Expanded-Experienced-Mountains/dp/1977224652/

Reflections on Mountaineering, Third Edition
Author: Alan V. Goldman
Genre: Adventure, and Philosophical - Introspective
Publisher: Outskirts Press, Inc.
Published Date: August 31, 2021

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