Jacketflap: In Deep Survival Laurence Gonzales combines hard science and powerful storytelling to illuminate the mysteries of survival, whether in the wilderness or in meeting any of life's great challenges. This gripping narrative, the first book to describe the art and science of survival will change the way you see your world. Everyone has a mountain to climb. Everyone has a wilderness inside.
My Thoughts: I didn't go into this book looking for inspiration, but I certainly came away transformed and ready to take on the world, or at least my own little piece of it. Part adventure story, part neurological study, part survival guide, part Zen living, the topics Gonzales delves into with this book can be applied not only to the daredevil adventurer who climbs mountains and sails across oceans, but also to the average person who just wants to live the best life she can.
I devoured this book. Nom, nom, nom. And it's non-fiction. So, given my history with non-fiction (think small child going to the doctor to be vaccinated) I think that's as good of a recommendation as anything else I could say.
Take Away Quotes:
"'...doing bold things isn't about engineering risk to zero. Shit happens, and if we just want to restrict ourselves to things where shit can't happen...we're not going to do anything very interesting.'"
"We must plan. But we must be able to let go of the plan, too."
"Be here now. And plan for everything to take eight times as long as you expect it to take."
"To live life is to risk it."