Title: Reflections on Mountaineering: A Second Revised and Expanded Edition: A Journey Through Life as Experienced in the Mountains
Author: Alan V. Goldman
Publisher: Outskirts Press
ISBN: 978-1977224651
Pages: 166
Genre: Mountain Ecology / Mountain Climbing / Poetry
Reviewed by: Anthony Avina

Read Book Review

Something which not everyone has been fortunate enough to learn for themselves is that while scholastic achievements and learning at a college level can be great for some people, there are many lessons which can be learned from nature and the world itself; lessons not even textbooks and highly educated teachers can teach. As John Lubbock once said, “Earth and sky, woods and fields, lakes and rivers, the mountain and the sea, are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn from books.”

In author and poet Alan V. Goldman’s Reflections on Mountaineering: A Second Revised and Expanded Edition: A Journey Through Life as Experienced in the Mountains, the author explores the adventure and the true nature of mountaineering and exploration in the mountains through narrative poetry. Hoping to convey a sense of history and respect for the environment, as well as a healthy comparison between regular life and the life of a mountaineer, the author uses a blend of rhyming and blank verse poetry to bring the mountaineer life to readers everywhere.

A truly thoughtful and beautifully written collection of poetry which captures both the author’s vivid imagery and the beauty of nature all at once, the narrative aspect of the poems really bring readers into the mountaineer experience. From the face-value approach of the poetry that showcases the journey to and into the mountains which mountaineers often face, to the layered way the author equates this journey with life’s greatest venture, the author applies human meaning on nature’s blank canvas. The artistry and creativity these poems infuse into that very narrative makes this a memorable experience.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy narrative poetry, especially poems which also infuse philosophy and belief into the story – and blend this with a very real-world look at nature and ecology as a whole where it pertains to mountains. As a fan of poetry, I was moved and engaged in this author’s narrative into such an often overlooked or missed aspect of nature, and as someone interested in the mystery and visuals of mountains, this was a truly one of a kind read.

Artful, impactful and stunningly written, author Alan V. Goldman’s Reflections on Mountaineering is a must-read book of poetry. A perfect blend of imagery and engaging poetry, the author’s book does a remarkable job of capturing the reader’s attention and crafting a narrative that is thought-provoking and memorable.