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Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Between a Rock and a Hard Place
Author: Aron Ralston
One of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told -- Aron Ralston's searing account of his six days trapped in one of the most remote spots in America, and how one inspired act of bravery brought him home. It started out as a simple hike in the Utah canyonlands on a warm Saturday afternoon. For Aron Ralston, a twenty-seven-year-old mount...  more »
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ISBN-13: 9780743492829
ISBN-10: 074349282X
Publication Date: 8/30/2005
Pages: 368
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 53

3.6 stars, based on 53 ratings
Publisher: Atria
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

L avatar reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on
Helpful Score: 5
Excellent story of how Aron survived being stranded in the wilderness. It's an amazing story, and an easy read. There is one graphic photograph, however, so one should be aware of that before they order this book.
RonW avatar reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 35 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
one of the most extraordinary survival stories ever told!
reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on
Helpful Score: 4
Foolish though he was to go hiking all alone in a potentially dangerous place, Ralston's courage and resourcefulness saved his life. This is an amazing and unforgettable story.

In spite of its being highly unlikely that I would ever be in a situation to need it, my mind has filed away a vivid recollection of the ingenious method Ralston finally hit upon to free his hand. I am only grateful that it doesn't replay in my dreams!
reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on
Helpful Score: 4
An amazing story of survival and very well written. I loved the way it jumps between present and past. I enjoy reading stories of survival but this one is by far my favorite.
reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This book is a very good survival story. As I read through the book I got the idea that Aron wasn't exactly reckless but he did barge ahead into situations without thinking sometimes. His sheer determination is what got him out of trouble more than a few times. Maybe it was this reckless determination that got him into the situation he found himself but it was probably also what got him out of it. The book was written by him and is written very well. It doesn't read like the typical autobiography of an untrained writer. Personally, I'd like to know when the guy slept.
Read All 22 Book Reviews of "Between a Rock and a Hard Place"

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battlesgirl avatar reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 3 more book reviews
I thought this was an excellent read and a truly inspiring story. I'm not sure I could have been as brave as this young man.
Chocoholic avatar reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 291 more book reviews
This is the rare nonfiction book with an unlikeable protagonist. This is the story of Aron Ralson and his life of adventures, running marathons, climbing mountains, climbing canyons, etc. and how he ended up pinned beneath a stone. Aron was forced to amputate his own arm to escape from the canyon he was pinned in. The problem I had with this book, as mentioned previously, is that Aron is unlikeable, at least as the protagonist of this book. He recounts a number of adventurous events in which he or someone close to him was very nearly killed (this is well before the rock) because of silly mistakes. He seems to have little regard for the people in his life who care about him in taking off on a moment's notice and leaving no one with information on how to find him. After he succeeds in cutting off his arm, he becomes very bossy and arrogant to other people who are just trying to help him. He whined about having an IV drip of antibiotics for several weeks instead of just being grateful he was alive. He also littered the canyon with a number of articles that he didn't feel like carrying back out of the canyon once he was freed; these items included a CD player and some climbing rope which could have easily been stuffed back into the bag he was carrying. I hope the real Aron is more responsible than he comes across in this book.
reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on
This was a gripping book, but also a harrowing one. As another reviewer said, don't read it if you are squeamish--or, I might add, prone to having nightmares about vivid things that you read.

It might have been less painful to read if the ordeal part of the story were not so long drawn out; but on the other hand, that is part of the "harrowing" aspect of it that makes it so memorable.

While I have to admire the author's courage and will to live, I can't say as much about his judgement and common sense. He comes off as foolish. exceedingly reckless, and self-centered.
reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 31 more book reviews
an interesting read if you want a little more detail to the story.
jdyinva avatar reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 408 more book reviews
What a story! Ralston reads his own book which makes it even more touching. An adventure gone bad keeps the reader listening until the resolution. Great audio book!
reviewed Between a Rock and a Hard Place on + 5 more book reviews
LOVE THIS BOOK! Love this story, loved the movie. It took years for me to be able to watch/read it after the initial news stories, but wow, what an amazing man with an amazing thought process. Based on the movie 127 Hours (or vice versa) the book will give you everything that the movie left out. What happened after?? What happened before leading up to this accident? How did he cope? Who is this guy?? I couldn't put this book down. Don't miss out on this story because you think you could never do what he did. You're right! But he's amazing and I'm so glad he shared his experience with the world. Very talented writer too.


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