While trying to access other material, i ran across a most fascinating and candid book, All dressed up and no place to go, by Pat Darnell. For some reason her account didn't make it into the Missionary hall of fame series that they showed us kids at church on the old Ducane projectors.

More seriously, her book conveys many horribly painful years married to an Adventist preacher. It leaves one with a lot to chew on: about religion (and religion based on Ellen White and Seventh Day Adventism), but also about life in general. While the story she tells may be an extreme example, it is never-the-less not atypical of what i've seen and the little that i've been privy too.

While the book is very matter of fact, almost journalish in nature (and also contains a number of minor typos), i had a most difficult time putting it down. It is a highly suggested read.

This book started out with a lot of similarities to The Long Walk: man is sent to a Siberian labor camp and after a spell decides to make his way back to his home country, in this case Germany, on foot.

That's where the similarities end, and contrasts appear: rather then traveling in a small group, this guy does it alone; rather then avoid other people, this guy interacts with people all the way; rather then going south to India, this guy heads East; and contrary to the title, he ends up traveling by train, hitching truck rides, etc. He also takes his time about getting out of the country, and ends up running around with some sketchy characters; a few times i had to check that i was still reading this book and not ``Adventures of Huckleberry Fin.''

Overall a decent read, but not one that tops The Long Walk.

I ran across High Adventure at a local book store, and couldn't resist. This was the first book i've read about ascents of Everest, or mountain ascents in general; it was quite gripping.

The book starts by very briefly discussing how Hillary got into mountain climbing, and then jumping right into him being invited into a party ready to try an ascent of Everest from the south side. It then follows the exhibitions he takes over the three year period leading up to the final successful ascent of Everest.

This is a good book, worth a read, but not something that just has to be read. I would have also preferred some more details--very little is said about financing, which must have been pretty significant.

If you've never read about such excursions, be sure to take note of the glossary at the end of the book; i found it when i had finished the book, and was then able to confirm my assumptions on the meanings of various terms used throughout the book.

The Long Walk is an incredible true story of escape from a Soviet Siberian concentration camp, and walk to freedom across mountains and deserts. It is very touching to hear just to what extent and what risk man we go to obtain their freedom; it is equally sad that those of us with freedom regard it so little, and are so slow to defend it.

I ran across this book, ``Why I Escaped from Soviet Russia'', in the Walla Walla College library and found it quite a delightful read. Unfortunately it was getting quite old, and was about ready to fall apart. Deciding that it was a unique book, and somewhat rare, i took steps to preserve it: i typed it out.