Between the rock and the hard place book

With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an pound boulder feet down in the bottom of a canyon.

As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that.

What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.

The knowledge of their love kept Aron Ralston alive, until a divine inspiration on Thursday morning solved the riddle of the boulder. Aron then committed the most extreme act imaginable to save himself. Between a Rock and a Hard Place -- a brilliantly written, funny, honest, inspiring, and downright astonishing report from the line where death meets life -- will surely take its place in the annals of classic adventure stories.

Plus, receive recommendations for your next Book Club read. By clicking 'Sign me up' I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the privacy policy and terms of use. Must redeem within 90 days. See full terms and conditions and this month's choices. This reading group guide for Hours includes discussion questions and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion.

We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. Environmentalist and writer Edward Abbey is something of a hero to Aron Ralston, as Ralston states right near the beginning of his book. The only true act of an environmentalist would be to shoot himself in the head. Do you agree with Abbey that we ruin the natural environment by our mere presence within it?

How do the two girls, Megan and Kristi, respond to meeting Aron Ralston? What are their initial reactions to him? Why does he refuse their invitation to attend their gathering? What must he do first? I imagined he was sitting there grinning as I struggled to escape him. Betty Darr, a family friend, suffered from polio, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. How does this event alter his future? Just how far would you go to experience the natural world and all of its wonders?

Are there some places and events you are content to witness via a television or movie screen, or do you feel a strong desire to immerse yourself and have all your senses engaged? What memories from his past occur to him as the days grow longer and his water runs out?

How does he cope with facing his own mortality? He'd earned this weekend vacation, and though he met two charming women along the way, by early afternoon he finally found himself in his element: alone, with just the beauty of the natural world all around him. It was P. Eight miles from his truck, in a deep and narrow slot canyon, Aron was climbing down off a wedged boulder when the rock suddenly, and terrifyingly, came loose. Before he could get out of the way, the falling stone pinned his right hand and wrist against the canyon wall.

And so began six days of hell for Aron Ralston. With scant water and little food, no jacket for the painfully cold nights, and the terrible knowledge that he'd told no one where he was headed, he found himself facing a lingering death -- trapped by an pound boulder feet down in the bottom of a canyon. As he eliminated his escape options one by one through the days, Aron faced the full horror of his predicament: By the time any possible search and rescue effort would begin, he'd most probably have died of dehydration, if a flash flood didn't drown him before that.

What does one do in the face of almost certain death? Using the video camera from his pack, Aron began recording his grateful good-byes to his family and friends all over the country, thinking back over a life filled with adventure, and documenting a last will and testament with the hope that someone would find it. For their part, his family and friends had instigated a major search for Aron, the amazing details of which are also documented here for the first time.

Are abetting a concealment definition in insurance pity

He is just unbelievably lucky at surviving. But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, WARNING: This is a SUPER long review; it's kind of a very long account of what my thoughts were during the entire book. But rather than be bound and defeated by our insignificance, we are bold because we exercise our will anyway, despite the ephemeral and delicate presence we have in this desert, on this planet, in this universe.

It's surprisingly well written for a non-writer and I am immediately immersed in his surroundings and thoughts, nothing is left out and I can almost feel what Aron is feeling. It's sensational. By the third page I've already come across a quote that I like and I immediately write it down. I enjoy photographing the otherworldly colors and shapes presented in the convoluted depths of slot canyons and the prehistoric artwork preserved in their alcoves.

Within moments, my nervous system's pain response overcomes the initial shock. Good Christ, my hand. The flaring agony throws me into a panic, I grimace and growl a sharp "Fuck! But I'm stuck. I settle into the book at this point, completely entranced by Aron's retelling of the horrific event. It's not all bad though, there are some really good stories he tells about his climbing adventures before Blue John Canyon, I actually find myself laughing at some of the things he does.

I remember reading a few reviews that said Aron had a "big ego" and was "talking himself up" that he was "proud of cheating death so many times" and that "karma had caught up to him in that canyon", I didn't agree with any of the comments except the karma one.

Sure enough this wasn't the first time Aron was put in a life and death situation but I don't think he was ego-tistical about it, he was a climber, canyoner and skiier. Hundreds if not thousands and millions of people do the same thing and relish in the adrenaline rush that these life and death situations bring; Aron to me is just one of those people.

It happens. The bear-stalking incident, however, was described as a terrifying experience as he was being stalked by the bear, but there was one quote that made me laugh a little at Aron's panicking. Splash, a fish jumped in the lake, and instantly my mind responded, "OhmyGodthebearisbackhe'sgonnaeatmeI'mgonnadie! He contemplates cutting his arm off a few times but thinks it an act of suicide knowing he won't survive the trek back to his truck.

I read this part and bookmark it, knowing it should be included in my review: "That boulder did what it was there to do. Boulders fall. That's their nature. It did the only natural thing it could do. It was set up, but it was waiting for you. Without you coming along and pulling it, it would still be stuck where it had been for who knows how long.

You did this, Aron. You created it. You chose to come here today; you chose to do this descent into the slot canyon by yourself. You chose not to tell anyone where you were going. You chose to turn away from the women who were there to keep you from getting in this trouble. You created this accident. You wanted it to be like this. Do you agree with Abbey that we ruin the natural environment by our mere presence within it?

How do the two girls, Megan and Kristi, respond to meeting Aron Ralston? What are their initial reactions to him? Why does he refuse their invitation to attend their gathering? What must he do first? I imagined he was sitting there grinning as I struggled to escape him.

Betty Darr, a family friend, suffered from polio, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down. How does this event alter his future? Just how far would you go to experience the natural world and all of its wonders? Are there some places and events you are content to witness via a television or movie screen, or do you feel a strong desire to immerse yourself and have all your senses engaged?

What memories from his past occur to him as the days grow longer and his water runs out? How does he cope with facing his own mortality? Can you imagine how you would react in such circumstances? Finding himself in precarious situations is nothing new for Aron Ralston. During the winter of while on a solo expedition to the Kit Carson Mountain and Blanca Peak, a rock shifted under the snow and pinned his leg. If so, how? Is such a sentiment the mark of a brave adventurer or a sign of something more ambiguous?

Do you think most people feel this way? Is he at the point of giving up? For whom is he making this video? Or is it in some ways for himself? As the hours pass and he considers his choices, Aron concludes that he has only four options left. What are they? What is the option he ultimately chooses?

Could you make a choice like this or would you continue trying to find another alternative? What are some of the things Aron begins to confess into his video camera? If you were to make a recording in similarly dire circumstances, what kinds of things would you choose to talk about? I fear I might explode from the exhilarating shock and ecstasy that paralyze my body for a long moment as I lean against the wall.

He discusses, among many other topics, the dangers of hiking alone.