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The Friendship of a Mountain
A Brief Treatise on Elevation
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The Friendship of a Mountain
$4099
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
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Description
Why are we fascinated by mountains? These outcrops of rock were once considered unsightly, something to be avoided at all costs, but, since Rousseau, they have been contrasted with our corrupt cities and viewed as serene enclaves of beauty and relaxation.
But why climb to the summit only to come back down again? Why does the toil of climbing convert into joy? What metaphysics of the absolute is playing out here – what challenge does climbing pose to time and ageing, to fearful panic, to the brush with danger which leads to conquest? It’s not faith that elevates mountains – it’s mountains that elevate our faith in challenging us to overcome them. These hooded majesties crush some people while exalting others. For the latter, climbing means being born again, reaching a state of exhilaration. Being seized by exhaustion upon arriving at the summit is akin to casting your eyes upon paradise. Is it the stinging cold, the wind so strong that it almost knocks you down, or is it higher powers that speak to us in this mixture of terror and beauty?
A child of the mountains who spent his youth in Austria and Switzerland, Pascal Bruckner has special ties to the subject of this book: the further he climbs, the more he reconnects to his past. In sparkling and sensual prose, Bruckner’s paean to the majesty of mountains weaves together things seen and things read, childhood memories, literature and philosophy, interlaced with reflections on life, ageing and the unrivalled beauty of an ecosystem that we are in danger of destroying.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Friendship of a Mountain by Pascal Bruckner is praised for its introspective exploration of the relationship between humans and mountains throughout history. It has been described as a beautiful meditation that delves into themes of awe, risk, and personal growth, and is noted for its intellectual depth and appeal to a broad audience. The work's insightful and lyrical examination of nature's transformative impact on the human spirit suggests it offers both profound philosophical reflection and an entertaining read.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781509555536
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 19 May 2023
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Polity Press
Contributors:
- Translated by Cory Stockwell
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 20.0mm
Width: 137.0mm
Height: 218.0mm
Weight: 340g
Pages: 160
About the Author
Pascal Bruckner is the bestselling author of many books including The Tyranny of Guilt, Perpetual Euphoria and The Fanaticism of the Apocalypse.
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