Between a Rock and a Hard Place Paperback – August 30, 2005

Gives much more detail than the movie, solid read.

I read the book cover to cover in 4 days (just finished a couple hours ago), not unheard of but there are only a handful of books that have engaged me as much. In the words of Mark Twain, "Why shouldn't truth be stranger than fiction? Fiction, after all, has to make sense." Indeed if you read a fiction book that was 1/2 as unlikely as Ralston's accounts of himself, you'd declare it ridiculously unlikely and throw it against a wall. However, you realize that Ralston isn't making this stuff up. I can't remember reading a book that impressed me more with its author. He has also taught me a lot about myself and inspired me to discover a lot more! What more could you want from a book? Well there's plenty, but this book does deliver.I noticed 3 things he seems to have done wrong. One maybe my misunderstanding (what else could it be?). Another, a mistake he admits (and rues). Another that it seems to me he should have known. They are, in order:1. He says it was 6 days. Well, he was pinned by the boulder at 2:45 PM on a Saturday and he freed himself at 11:32 AM on Thursday, was transported to a hospital around 3 PM, so that's 5 days. He says it was 6 days and I wonder why. Yes, he got up early on Saturday morning for his adventure, so maybe he's counting that extra time, basically chronicling how long he went without what ordinary people would consider sleep. Even so, it seems to me that calling the ordeal 6 days is a stretch.2. It took him almost 5 days to hit on the idea that led to his freedom, i.e. intentionally breaking the bones in his forearm. He admits to feeling quite stupid later for not having thought of it earlier.3. His knife blades were dull, in particular the longer blade. Well, he was surrounded by stone and you can sharpen any blade against stone. Indeed, sharpening stones are just abrasive stones, and I'm sure the stone all around him had some measure of abrasiveness. People generally use oil or water with sharpening stones, but it is certainly not necessary, it just makes the process easier and faster (I seldom bother to apply oil or water when I use my sharpening stones). He could have given his blades near razor sharpness with a small application of the patience he exhibited on various other projects while trapped. Even if the stone around him was slick as glass, he could have at least set the edge of his blades on them (making them far sharper), however, I'm sure that wasn't the case.

After watching the movie, I just had to read the book. It was a very interesting read, though it did take me a bit to get into it. The ending is obvious if you've seen the movie, but the journey is well worth it. The book provides more depth and detail, enriching the overall story. I would definitely recommend the book to anyone who enjoyed the movie or loves a great story.

This book has a brilliant design. There was no better way to write it. The chapters are alternating. It starts with current time (Blue John Canyon). The next chapter deals with the past - profiling Aron's life and what led to the current. The next chapter is back in Blue John Canyon. And so it goes, alternating back and forth.We get to know Aron from these alternating chapters about his past. Without them, the book would be hollow. They build the background for understanding Aron. They tell the story of how he got in such topnotch physical condition, which was paramount to surviving the ordeal. His years of climbing and love of adventure explain why he was in Utah.As the book progresses, the time-periods get closer together, until finally they catch-up when Aron arrives on Friday night in the Canyonlands parking lot. Similarly, with Aron being trapped in Blue John Canyon, this allowed his past to catch-up with the present - - just like what happened with the book. He used the time to "internally monologue" about his life and philosophies. He thought about what brought him to the point of being trapped in the canyon. He realized the importance of family and friends.In summary, one of the themes in this book is "past meets the present." And it is something many of us can identify with. We need to understand who we are, by reconnecting with who we were. For Aron, the past and present combined to give him the strength, smarts, and stamina to survive an ordeal of epic proportions.The reader is given a chance to be at-hand with Aron in Blue John Canyon. His lucid and lyrical prose is outstanding. You will be in tears as Aron writes about the deliverance from his tomb. This book will inspire you. Aron's desire to live will motivate you to also live your life to the fullest. All of this from one book! Amazing!

One of the best books I've ever read. I really enjoyed it. Amazing. It stays with you long after you've read it. Highly recommend!

Had a lot of information on Aron’s life and his interests so gave you insight on what sort of person he was.

Apasionante historia.

Truly a book about endurance. Completely absorbing and thrilling.

tout ces produits que j'achete chez vous, mon toujours donnes satisfaction,,bravo a tous.Je recommande vivement votre site à tout mes amis.

This is a brilliantly written book, i first heard about Aron Ralston's horiffic accident when i saw the film '127 hours' and i was so intersted in it that i wanted to find out the facts about it and so thought i would buy the book, ive just read it and thought it was incredible. At first he comes accross as a quite self-absorbed person but he seems to learn his lesson through the horrific accident. Most of the book is very emotional and personal, he goes through some deep emotions throughout and he beautifully shows the love he has for his family and friends (especially his mother).This book really defines human strength and the power of the mind and reminds us how important the people we love really are and that we shouldnt take them for granted.I think this book is very interesting and inspiring.Ralston gripps the reader right from the start and thats what i love about it.Take note that the film is not 100% accurate with the events and that the book is deeper in the events and is written by the man himself.And it's good value as other booksellers sell it at £8.99 and here i got it for £5.11. Great Buy, Gripping, interesting and it also includes some pictures. :)