The Hill

Rating:
Summary: Learn about a life
Review: Disclaimer: I know Ed. I have flown with Ed. I've been out drinking with Ed. I like Ed. So the book gets five stars. But I could have just not written a review. Instead I want to share with you that this book is like getting to listen in on the story of a life, told first-hand by a real straight-forward all-American mountain-climbing airliner-flying legless man. Ed lost his legs in a harrowing five days spent on the side of Mount McKinley following a crash in a small plane he was piloting. Ed hit lows of VA hospitals and cheap beer. Ed now is a pilot for American Airlines, and still climbs big mountains. I learnt a lot about his life that I didn't know after flying with him for a month. It's not platitudes, or deep thoughts, but it is real. And it sounds just like Ed talking, not some fancy tarted-up bookish words. It was well worth my time to read it, and if you've never flown with Ed, it should be worth your time and money to see what you have missed.

Rating:
Summary: More than mountaineeering book...
Review: Ed Hommer's The Hill is more than a "this is how I got to the summit" mountaineering book-it's an inspiring story of transcending personal tragedy and pushing limits.

Stuck on a pass on Mt. McKinley after a plane crash, then bush-pilot Ed Hommer and three others endured days of bitter cold as a storm delayed their rescue. Hommer lost both of his lower legs to the cold; two of his companions lost their lives. The heart of the story has to do with how he adapted to life as a double-amputee, both physically and emotionally, and ultimately made an uneasy peace with the mountain as he returned to summit it.

The tone of Hommer's book is fast paced and folksy. He avoids philosophizing about his situation, instead he tells his story in a straightforward and honest manner. I recommend the book to anyone looking for an exciting and inspiring read.

Rating:
Summary: Minnesota
Review: I feel that the review by Wisconsin was inaccurate, and only looked at one side of the story. It is true and sad that Ed lost his marriage and his relationship suffered with his children due to his climbing accident. However, I knew Ed and know his children personally. I saw many wonderful, loved filled encounters with his children. Although Ed loved the mountains, his children were the number one thing in his life.

The book did pretty good job of portraying the events of Ed's life. However, what did not come through in the book was Ed's complete love of life, family and friendships. When you spoke with Ed, you were captivated. When he left you, he left you feeling you could climb Mount Everest. It is this type of enthusiasm that touched millions of people around the globe. It is this type of enthusiasm that has fitted other amputees with prosthetic devices, allowing them to live a productive, preamputation state. It is this type of enthusiasm that keeps his foundation, High Exposure, alive...when he is not. It is this type of enthusiasm that makes me extremely proud to call him a friend.

The Hill is a book, nothing more. A short reference of a much larger story. The book captures only a snipit of the man Ed Hommer was, and still is in many hearts. I encourage all readers to take what they can from this book, and not be jaded by personal disparagements.

Rating:
Summary: Never Give Up.
Review: I hope that anyone who knows a person who is struggling with depression, illness or seemingly overwhelming difficulties will give them this book. Just as a book helped to inspire Ed to move on from the tragedies in his life, I believe this book will encourage and inspire. I knew Ed at a time in his life when I feared for him, feared for the darkness that I thought might overtake him, and how thrilled I was and thankful when I heard about how he had conquered the darkness. How proud we all have been of his accomplishments, and what he has given to others despite his challenges. Ed is victorious, because he died doing what he loved; the darkness, the tragedy, failed to do him in. His story will keep him alive, as it inspires others.

Rating:
Summary: Never Give Up.
Review: I hope that anyone who knows a person who is struggling with depression, illness or seemingly overwhelming difficulties will give them this book. Just as a book helped to inspire Ed to move on from the tragedies in his life, I believe this book will encourage and inspire. I knew Ed at a time in his life when I feared for him, feared for the darkness that I thought might overtake him, and how thrilled I was and thankful when I heard about how he had conquered the darkness. How proud we all have been of his accomplishments, and what he has given to others despite his challenges. Ed is victorious, because he died doing what he loved; the darkness, the tragedy, failed to do him in. His story will keep him alive, as it inspires others.

Rating:
Summary: Against All Odds
Review: I'm glad Ed Hommer got the chance to write his inspirational story before his untimely death on Mt. Rainier September 23rd of this year. In spite of the fact that Ed had a co-writer, his own voice rings very clear in this book. There is something very appealing in his modesty, sometimes almost a childlike idealism, and his wrenching appraisals/reappraisals of himself.

Ed grew up in modest circumstances, somewhat of an outsider with not much enthusiasm for school. Early on, he developed a fascination for all things Alaska, seeing it as a Last Frontier and he hung on to his dream. His next goal was to become a pilot, and I was impressed with the adversity he overcame to reach his goal. He had no money, only a high school education and ended up being a pilot for American Airlines.

He finally made it to Alaska, a land he loved forever, and thought he had the world by the tail with a part time job as a bush pilot, his hippie chick girlfriend--the beauteous Sandy, and a baby on the way when disaster struck. He took three passengers (one being his brother-in-law) on a sight seeing jaunt and crashed high up on Mt. McKinley. Two (including the brother-in-law) were injured fatally, but Ed and another passenger were not hurt too badly initially. Then a storm front set in, and would-be rescuers could not reach them for five days. Ed's recounting of these hellish five days is harrowing. The weather was fierce, and by the time the rescuers got there, the two living victims were frostbitten badly. Ed lost both feet above the ankle.

He very honestly admits he was in a tailspin for a long time. He was besieged by legalities he didn't understand, he had a terrible time with the Veteran's Administration who was underwriting most of his massive medical bills including a 3-1/2 month stay in the hospital, physical therapy, and prosthetic devices. He withdrew from life, became apathetic, drank his breakfast, lunch and then some. His marriage suffered irreparable harm. Part of his problem was the miserable time he had with his prosthesis.

Once he attached himself to a goal, he was seemingly unstoppable. He made up his mind he would fly again; he not only achieved the goal, he went back to work. Then he decided he wouldn't get closure until he had successfully summitted Mt. McKinley despite his artificial feet and lower legs. He did it in two tries. Though Ed Hommer didn't care about material goals, he set his sights high and was a miracle of achievement.

Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING!!
Review: This book not only gives inspiration to amputees, but also to anyone who has had a setback in their life from which they feel they will never recover. I had a hard time putting the book down because I was literally transported to the various locations of this book, i.e. Talkeetna, AK, Mt. McKinley, etc.
This book takes you deep into the human spirit and shows us how resiliant it can be in the face of hopelessness.

Rating:
Summary: INSPIRING!!
Review: This book not only gives inspiration to amputees, but also to anyone who has had a setback in their life from which they feel they will never recover. I had a hard time putting the book down because I was literally transported to the various locations of this book, i.e. Talkeetna, AK, Mt. McKinley, etc.
This book takes you deep into the human spirit and shows us how resiliant it can be in the face of hopelessness.

Rating:
Summary: Minnesota
Review: What Ed Hommer accomplished was monumental, until you put in perspective that he was putting himself first... sacrificing his relationship with his children to climb. I met Ed only one time. I did not know him personally. I do know his children and ex-wife. It is a shame that he didn't "fix" himself sooner. While he was off climbing mountains, his children endured months at a time of only support (financially and emotionally) from one parent, their mother. It is sad that Ed died before he could fix those relationships! His children are wonderful people. It is sad that they will not have the opportunity to develop that relationship with their dad. I get angry at him (Ed) for what he put them through. I feel that he was selfish in his endeavors. He is viewed as a great man by many people. I don't see him that way. What he put his family through, specifically his children, overshadows his personal accomplishments.

Rating:
Summary: The Hill
Review: What Ed Hommer accomplished was monumental, until you put in perspective that he was putting himself first... sacrificing his relationship with his children to climb. I met Ed only one time. I did not know him personally. I do know his children and ex-wife. It is a shame that he didn't "fix" himself sooner. While he was off climbing mountains, his children endured months at a time of only support (financially and emotionally) from one parent, their mother. It is sad that Ed died before he could fix those relationships! His children are wonderful people. It is sad that they will not have the opportunity to develop that relationship with their dad. I get angry at him (Ed) for what he put them through. I feel that he was selfish in his endeavors. He is viewed as a great man by many people. I don't see him that way. What he put his family through, specifically his children, overshadows his personal accomplishments.