Between A Rock and A Hard Place by Aron Ralston
by Jenners • 01/27/2012 • 4 Stars, Adventure, B Titles, Memoir, Non-Fiction, R Authors • 35 Comments
Between A Rock and A Hard Place by Aron RalstonPublisher: Atria Books, 2005
Pages: 354
Genre: Non-Fiction, Memoir, Adventure/Survival
Where I Got It: Bought It
Why I Read It: After seeing the mind-blowing film 127 Hours, I wanted to get all the details of Aron Ralston’s story
My Rating: 4 stars
Book Description
In April 2003, 28-year-old Aron Ralston took a day trip in Blue John Canyon in Utah’s Canyonlands National Park. Shortly after beginning his solo excursion into the canyon, a boulder came loose and pinned Ralston’s right arm between it and the canyon wall. Unable to free his arm, Ralston was trapped for 127 hours (more than 5 days) with limited water and food. Because Ralston had broken one of the cardinal rules of outdoor pursuits (always let someone know where you are going), no one knew where he was (or even to come looking for him) until he didn’t show up for work on Monday. His account of the ordeal and his eventual decision to save himself by amputating his right arm is documented in this well-written (and surprisingly funny) memoir.
My Thoughts
When watching 127 Hours, I was absolutely mesmerized by Ralston’s predicament. (It didn’t hurt that Ralston was portrayed by James Franco and the movie directed by Danny Boyle.) After watching the film, I wanted to get the full story about what Ralston had experienced. Did he really have a vision of his future son that bolstered his courage? Did he really talk into his video camera during his entrapment? Why had he made such a fundamentally stupid mistake by not telling anyone about his whereabouts? The book answered all these questions and provided much more detail into Ralston’s personality and background.
In fact, after reading the book, I’m not completely surprised that Ralston found himself in his predicament. In the book, he recounts several near-death experiences he faced during various other outdoor pursuits (from almost drowning in the Grand Canyon to being buried under an avalanche). Ralston’s whole life was (and is) about pushing himself in the outdoors—often in ways that others might consider foolish or overly risky. In addition, solo adventuring was nothing new to Ralston. At the time of his entrapment, he was pursuing his quest to make the first solo ascents of all “fourteeners” (mountains over 14,000 feet) in Colorado. The one line in the movie that stuck with me—”This rock had been waiting for me all my life”—really sums up Ralston’s life. (I may be misremembering the exact line but it is something fairly close to this.)
Did he leave the canyon a changed man—aside from the obvious loss of his right arm? Spiritually, Ralston matured—coming to a new appreciation for life and his loved ones. What the experience didn’t do was dampen his enthusiasm for outdoor pursuits. Working with prosthetics and climbing companies, Ralston designed a prosthetic arm for himself so he could continue rock climbing and mountain climbing.
The book is surprisingly well written. After all, just because you have the guts to amputate your own arm and survive for five days in a canyon with limited food and water doesn’t mean you’ll be able to tell your story eloquently. But Ralston (who was an engineer before quitting corporate life to pursue the outdoor life in Colorado) seems to be a true Renaissance man—crafting a well-rounded, eloquent and often amusing account of his life, philosophy and the accident that changed him forever.
Finally, I must mention that the book includes a collection of full-color photographs of Ralston before, during and after the accident. I had a rather morbid fascination with these photos (including the one of the severed arm immediately after the amputation), but they really did add to the story. It was amazing to see the exact place where this took place and what Ralston looked like during his entrapment. I also need to give a shout-out to the filmmakers for seeming to recreate Ralston’s predicament, clothing, and equipment down to the smallest detail.
One of the photos of the actual Ralston about 48 hours into his entrapment.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy gripping and well-told adventure/survival stories, fans of the movie 127 Hours, and anyone looking for real-life survival story that demonstrates what people will do to survive.
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I’ve been wanting to read this one. I am fascinated by his story. I can’t imagine amputating my own arm but I guess I could and would if my survival were at stake. It amazes me how some people almost seem born to push limits with everything they do. I wonder what he will do next?
Wow! Not sure I’m up for the full story WITH PHOTOS! But it does sound fascinating. My daughter saw and loved the movie. Is it graphic in the amputation sections? Maybe I could at least make it through the movie. Good review.
I now carry a very sharp knife when I go to the hills. I’m not sure I could do what he did, but I’d at least like to speed up the process if it came right down to it..
I had never even heard of either the movie or the event before. I guess I missed something! I am not interested in this book.
That should say ‘now’ not ‘not’. I didn’t notice my typo!
I’ve been really wanting to read the book and see the movie. I need to read the book first though because I am very obsessive about always reading the book first. *sigh* It puts a real damper on my movie outings.. always turning down friends offers of seeing the latest Nicholas Sparks movies… anyways… this story seems amazing and I think I’d be pretty fascinated with the photos too.
Wow! great review. I remember following this story on the news and on the talk shows after his recovery. I’ll have to bookmark this post as a must read.
Another book and movie to add to my list!!!!
Oh sounds awesome– though I think I would have to skip over the picture of the arm- just even reader that makes me shutter!
Wow – I want it all – the book, the audio, the movie! I don’t know if I would have picked this up on my own, but how can I not, with your enthusiastic endorsement!?
I can’t believe I still haven’t read the book or seen the film yet! I think I’m going to have to get the book…
I haven’t seen the film, but it sounds like a great book!
Yikes, I don’t know if I could read this. I am also unsure about the flick even if it does star Mr. Franco.
I heard about this guy last year, but promtly forgot about him. This does sound like the sort of thing I’d enjoy. Do you think you did the right thing in watching the film first? Or do you think I should try the book?
My husband saw the movie and said thet it wasn’t for me. I’m guessing that he is right. Just thinking about it makes me squirm.
I can’t bring myself to read the book or even watch the movie, just because of that one part (yes, THAT part). Normally I have a fascination with stories like this but that kind of thing makes me squirmy. So much in fact that I almost didn’t read your review!
Ralston is a very courageous adventurer. I enjoyed your review, Jenners.
I didn’t realize that it had actual photos. I’m sure I would have a morbid fascination with them too. I haven’t seen the movie, but I saw a documentary (some sort of 60 minutes thing) where he recounted the accident and retraced his steps with a news anchor. It was riveting.
Oh my gosh Jenners, I just watched 127 Hours last weekend. You are right, when he said “This rock had been waiting for me all my life” I got chills. I do believe everything happens for a reason.
I’ll have to see if I can get a copy of this one, the movie fascinated me and had me cringing. I did wonder why he was so reckless, where did that come from?
When he kept telling himself “don’t lose it” I felt so bad for him. How can a person not go insane in that predicament? Franco was amazing in the film. I thought that was him in the picture for a second.
Great review.
wow, when I think of his story…wow…
I remember when this happened. It’s not really my preferred genre, but you make it sound very appealing. I have to admit there’s a gross fascination at the idea of photos, too.
I watched this movie as well and was fascinated by his will to live. I don’t think I would have in his situation but then again he sounds like a man who doesn’t give up too easily in any situation. I wouldn’t mimd reading this one of these days.
That movie was so intense! My husband read this a few years ago and really liked it, but I haven’t picked it up yet. It’s amazing how much James Franco (in the movie) looks like Aaron does in that picture!
I’m glad to know that’s well written but I’m not sure I have the stomach for it.
I watched the movie a few months ago with my husband, and was really intrigued with it. Ralston had such a will to survive, and I kept wondering what I would have done had I been in the same situation. I don’t think I would have been able to amputate my own arm. I just can’t imagine doing that. I need to read this book and check it out for myself. I am curious about a lot of the background info on this story, and it seems like it’s all addressed in the book. Fantastic review today, Jenners!
Not one for me I’m afraid, even the thought of this makes the hairs on my arms stand on edge.
I can’t even bring myself to watch the movie!
For some reason I was never really interested in the book or movie.. I guess I thought it might be boring. But reading about it here I am totally interested and fascinated!! I don’t know how people can be so brave!!
I read this last year and thought it was interesting. I liked the chapters about the actual experience much more than the chapters about his past hikes/adventures. I haven’t seen the movie, maybe I should!
I haven’t read the book or seen the film yet. But his story fascinates me. Would I have the guts to cut off my arm? Yikes.
Can I just tell you that listening to the audio book read in his own voice is even more disturbing, especially as he recounts the actual amputation! This was a phenomenal audiobook and read for me. I really “enjoyed” it and it was one of the best nonfiction/memoir titles I’ve read in a long time. I liked that this experience taught him about the connections he has and took for granted…and that while adventurous and experienced, life can still happen and bring about the unthinkable…He did take on the obstacle of being stuck really well…Renaissance Man is right! Thanks for the awesome review.
It surprises me how much I think I want to read this
I’m feeling a book/movie project coming on…
Hi. I watched the film the other night, having previously assumed it would be very dull, and was as you say mesmerised. He was such an engaging character, I was very taken with how resourceful he was, I always admire people who can survive in such a situation where most of us would just give up and die. Book sounds really interesting, will add it to the wish list.
thanks for sharing
martine