On Saturday, 26 April 2003, Aron Ralston, a 27-year-old outdoorsman and adventurer, set off for a day's hike in the Utah canyons. Eight miles from his truck, he found himself in the middle of a deep and remote canyon. Then the unthinkable happened: a boulder shifted and snared his right arm against the canyon wall. He was trapped, facing dehydration, starvation, hallucinations and hypothermia as night-time temperatures plummeted. Five and a half days later, Aron Ralston finally came to the agonising conclusion that his only hope was to amputate his own arm and get himself to safety. Miraculously, he survived. BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE is more than just an adventure story. It is a brave, honest and above all inspiring account of one man's valiant effort to survive, and is destined to take its place among adventure classics such as TOUCHING THE VOID.
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Review
Ralston manages to keep the tension flowing throughout . . . with an exactness that gives his book the emotional pull of a psychological thriller’ -- Mail on Sunday
‘An amazing feat of superhuman endurance . . . Gripping’ -- Daily Express
‘Heroic, searing and compelling’ -- BENEDICT ALLEN
‘Riveting . . . If you read only one adventure book this year, this is it’ -- The Great Outdoors
‘Superb . . . think Touching the Void directed by Tarantino’ -- New Statesman
‘An amazing feat of superhuman endurance . . . Gripping’ -- Daily Express
‘Heroic, searing and compelling’ -- BENEDICT ALLEN
‘Riveting . . . If you read only one adventure book this year, this is it’ -- The Great Outdoors
‘Superb . . . think Touching the Void directed by Tarantino’ -- New Statesman
From the Back Cover
‘Here is one man’s heroic struggle with the infinite, a searing and compelling read. Aron Ralston tells his agonizing, inspiring tale of survival with all the verve and honesty you’d expect of someone who somehow found inspiration even in the face of a lonely death.’
BENEDICT ALLEN --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
BENEDICT ALLEN --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Ashley
Format:Paperback
This is a truly inspiring book!
It is not just a book about "the man that cut his arm off", it's a book about life, friends, family, the wilderness, adventure, climbing, snow sports, biology, disability, spirituality, and the media's reaction to one man's experience.
Aaron's reflections on his life as he experienced them over his time in the canyon works very well as a narrative device to keep the tension whilst exploring his thoughts. His exit from the boulder, despite being built-up for so long, is not a disappointment and will have you crying out-loud in anguish!
Like many adventure disaster stories, Aaron's experience can be seen as bad planning - he went out on his own in the middle of nowhere an left no useful record of his intentions. Unlike many such works, he accepts this fact from the beginning and explores the implications throughout the book. He has an endearing ability to simply recount events, thoughts and emotions, inspiring the reader to ponder the implications.
Throughout the book the way aaron's brain works is quite amazing. His ability to reason through his predicament and tirelessly work through problems is truly fascinating.
What was unexpected for me (and, I think, for Aaron) are the spiritual experiences that add so much to the tale.
Everyone should read this book!
It is not just a book about "the man that cut his arm off", it's a book about life, friends, family, the wilderness, adventure, climbing, snow sports, biology, disability, spirituality, and the media's reaction to one man's experience.
Aaron's reflections on his life as he experienced them over his time in the canyon works very well as a narrative device to keep the tension whilst exploring his thoughts. His exit from the boulder, despite being built-up for so long, is not a disappointment and will have you crying out-loud in anguish!
Like many adventure disaster stories, Aaron's experience can be seen as bad planning - he went out on his own in the middle of nowhere an left no useful record of his intentions. Unlike many such works, he accepts this fact from the beginning and explores the implications throughout the book. He has an endearing ability to simply recount events, thoughts and emotions, inspiring the reader to ponder the implications.
Throughout the book the way aaron's brain works is quite amazing. His ability to reason through his predicament and tirelessly work through problems is truly fascinating.
What was unexpected for me (and, I think, for Aaron) are the spiritual experiences that add so much to the tale.
Everyone should read this book!
24 of 26 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is a pretty mind-blowing story. The chapters about his ordeal are intersperced with stories about previous death-defying adventures including avalanches and blinding snowstorms. This was a very honest and unvarnished account of what Aron Ralston went through, and as such it is very powerful. I had to keep looking at his photo on the cover to reassure myself that he lived!! It helps put life into perspective, a little, and I highly recommend it.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
At first I was a little put off reading the book as I thought that Aron came over as arrogant and really full of himself.
However when you get to the nub of his dilemma and start thinking about what would you do in that situation you soon realise what a brave guy he was. Stranded miles for anywhere with no one knowing his whereabouts he had to summon real fortitude to cut off his own arm plus have the unnerring faith that he would get out alive.
Hats off to him. A stonking good read. If you like Joe Simpson's touching the void you'll like this.
However when you get to the nub of his dilemma and start thinking about what would you do in that situation you soon realise what a brave guy he was. Stranded miles for anywhere with no one knowing his whereabouts he had to summon real fortitude to cut off his own arm plus have the unnerring faith that he would get out alive.
Hats off to him. A stonking good read. If you like Joe Simpson's touching the void you'll like this.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Keri
Format:Paperback
If this book was cut down to a third of it's size I would give it 5 but in it's current state it would scrape a 3. I enjoyed the actual account of his entrapment and how he managed to keep alert and solve his problem.I think he is a very strong person mentally and this shines through in the book,giving an important message of we do what we believe we can do.However the other bits of the book with long descriptions of previous foolhardy trips and detailed technical facts for how he climbed,used ropes etc I found almost sent me to sleep.If these bits,well 2 thirds of the book were cut out I would recommend that you buy it to read. As it is it would be best to borrow it from a library so you don't waste your money.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I am not a fan of climbing at all, but heard a brief amount about this story and decided to get it - I was not disappointed. Unlike some of the more negative reviews I found the explanations of climbing terminology and processes easy to understand and quite straight to the point.
The book avoids filling spaces with waffle and useless snippets just to fill pages and had me gripped from start to finish. A really brave man, who had to use all of his skill and then all of his courage.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
The book avoids filling spaces with waffle and useless snippets just to fill pages and had me gripped from start to finish. A really brave man, who had to use all of his skill and then all of his courage.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By C. Weeks
Format:Hardcover
I received this book as a Christmas present and wasn't sure about how I would find the read. It didn't take long before I was fully engaged in the story.
It was really interesting to discover just how much climbing experience Aron Ralston has. This experience clearly saved his life when it really counted. The main theme is broken up well with stories of his climbing past. Readers are easily able to live side-by-side with Aron as he describes the accident and the days that followed. The text is supplemented with a good photo section.
This was a very well written book that evoked many different emotions. It comes highly recommended to all.
It was really interesting to discover just how much climbing experience Aron Ralston has. This experience clearly saved his life when it really counted. The main theme is broken up well with stories of his climbing past. Readers are easily able to live side-by-side with Aron as he describes the accident and the days that followed. The text is supplemented with a good photo section.
This was a very well written book that evoked many different emotions. It comes highly recommended to all.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By D. Lock
Format:Hardcover
Had trouble at the start of this book reading all the accompanying chapters. He wanders around with his life experiences quite a bit, using these to put the ordeal in perspective, and I am certain, to bolster the book out a bit, after all how much can You say about having your hand stuck and staring at a sandstone wall for 10 days. BUT, when he started with the point of the book, e.g. the hand cutting incident, I found myself looking away and wincing. Definitely worth the read, exceptional courage and ensure you have a strong stomach.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I read this book in three days. After seeing the film I really wanted to get a better insight into the authors life and understand what type of man it would take to cut of his own arm. I understand why the previous reviewer has given this book three stars as I agree that some of the climbing lingo and his descriptions are difficult to follow especially for those of us who are not enthusiastic as the author is. I didn't always understand what he was describing and found it difficult to picture what he was doing, phrases like cornice, couloir, crampons, DPS, ECSO, ICS, Lexan and many others kept popping up and I had no idea what they meant. However, when I reached the end of the book and saw there was a glossary, I wish I would've known this before GODDAMIT!
Still, the best parts of the book are his accounts of being stuck in Blue John Canyon and his sharing of his thoughts and worries which reach a maximum level of intensity. He had to drink his own urine too and watch his right hand decompose in front of him. I found the most interesting part his hullucinations, his near death experience and preminitions which I wished he could've expounded on. I found it somewhat different to the film and some of the biographical stories tend to break up the tension in which the film had displayed and demonstrated. Some of the other stories are interesting, such as the one when he gets chased by bear, which I found rather amusing. however, the other biographical details were no where as intense as the 127 hours in which he was stuck in that canyon.
I liked the fact that he had been reborn had found a sense of spiritualality and had reflected on his whole life to realize the selfishness and pain he had inflicted on others.... Read more ›
Still, the best parts of the book are his accounts of being stuck in Blue John Canyon and his sharing of his thoughts and worries which reach a maximum level of intensity. He had to drink his own urine too and watch his right hand decompose in front of him. I found the most interesting part his hullucinations, his near death experience and preminitions which I wished he could've expounded on. I found it somewhat different to the film and some of the biographical stories tend to break up the tension in which the film had displayed and demonstrated. Some of the other stories are interesting, such as the one when he gets chased by bear, which I found rather amusing. however, the other biographical details were no where as intense as the 127 hours in which he was stuck in that canyon.
I liked the fact that he had been reborn had found a sense of spiritualality and had reflected on his whole life to realize the selfishness and pain he had inflicted on others.... Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
fantastic
really pleased a very good read once started ready could not leave it alone more than a minute very adictive book
Published 10 days ago by wolfie
5.0 out of 5 stars
an awe-inspiring story!
This book is like no other you have ever read - brave and unbeatable Aron did the unthinkable and survived against all the odds. A terrific tale! Read more
Published 13 days ago by anastasia
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thrilling
This is a great book-really well written. Its a total thriller and hard going to read but a truly amazing story.
Published 1 month ago by miss r aughton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Inspiring
Saw the film ,LOVED the book . I enjoyed the heart felt honesty Aron shows and description of his story .
Amazing and inspiring .
Amazing and inspiring .
Published 1 month ago by mike redfern
4.0 out of 5 stars
127 Hours
This book keeps one in suspense the whole way through. I found the book better than the movie...recommend it for sure!!
Published 1 month ago by Des
5.0 out of 5 stars
127 hours
I found this book utterly amazing I have never read anything like it. I thought it was full of intensity if that's the right word I mean like,it constantly had you turning the page... Read more
Published 3 months ago by jordan graham
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not as good as the movie
The recent movie was based on this book but I found the movie much more better.
It has suspence but the book kept going off into different stories or on about climbing... Read more
It has suspence but the book kept going off into different stories or on about climbing... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kayrose
1.0 out of 5 stars
pointless
this is a harsh review i know but i felt this book was really padded out,its ok as a read but lost on me as i just kept thinking it was all made redundant by the fact he should... Read more
Published 8 months ago by m. dosa
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not a hard choice
My husband bought this book because he had met Aron Ralston and found him to be a very down-to-earth person. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jackie Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than the film
Saw the film then read the book and I am glad I did. Truly inspirational what an amazing story and an amazing man. Read more
Published 12 months ago by bzarajic
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