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.

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.

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.

Geraldo is off-putting to many Americans to put it mildly. But that is because, like many extremely intelligent people (I'd say geniuses, but that might be a little strong) he is misunderstood. He wants to help people and is strong-willed. He knows what he wants and is vocal about it. That scares some people, but is these people would read his autobiography, thye would see the real Geraldo. The one that puts family ahead of his career; the one that spent two months in the Mediteranian with his wife and children and almost died (a harrowing and inspiring chapter). This novel paints Geraldo in an entirely different light than his public persona. And when he "exposes" that light you can read how good a person he really is and what Geraldo is really about. Hope for the future!

Even those of us who decry the tabloid twist of network news have got to love the brash, brassy, bold and bullish auto-biography of this true pioneer of the news and talk TV era. "Geraldo" is quite "up front' about his flaws. His book is worth seeking out.

The reader of this book has to slog through such Emme "hardships" as her being an athlete, living abroad, dating, going to college, getting married, and becoming a top plus size model (she was signed to an agency the minute she walked in the door). If you can identify with all of that, you probably don't read or need a self-help book in the first place.

Bottom line: She's overweight and happy, but she is paid very well to stay that way. Unless you too are greatly rewarded for your "difference" (whatever that may be), it's nearly impossible to identify with her advice, her life, or her story.

UPDATE: I think the point of rating/reviewing books here is to help other readers make buying decisions. We all have different opinions. I don't understand why some readers get upset with other readers simply because they didn't feel the same way about a book. I didn't "miss the point" of this particular book as another reader suggested. I have been through more than Emme EVER will and I was looking for inspiration, not fluff.

The last reviewer clearly missed the point, and somehow lives in the fantasy that growing up with a difficult step-father, living abroad, going to college and coping with ultra-competitive modeling world is easy as pie. That such life experiences might affect issues of self esteem and size acceptance is entirely reasonable, and that Emme is willing to open up and share them is to be applauded. If you want to wallow in self pity and are convinced that those who are famous, wealthy or somehow seem more priveleged than yourself lead perfect lives and are not confronted with these issues, than I doubt any self-help book is meant for you. Emme generously draws on her personal experiences and shows us that it is possible to rise above such negative issues and learn to both love yourself and thrive in this world. Oh and yes - you certainly CAN be fit and healthy in a larger body. A size 2 who eats junk food and sits around watching television is a good deal less healthy than a size 16 who is athletic and eats lots of fruits and veggies. Health is not in the weight. It is in the lifestyle choices! But if you don't like yourself very much this is a very hard thing to accomplish. Emme's message is right on the money.

Well, I actually got the book in a second hand bookstore for 5 dollars. I guess what surprised me is how it was in such good condition, my guess is maybe the previous owner didn't get the message. But I sure did, this book rocked! I loved everything about it. I can't relate to emme's childhood, my weight didn't become an issue until my teens. But I did relate to the fact she struggled in love and in her work. I have been inspired also to look into plus size modelling. Emme proves that women should be true to themselves, and not fit to anyone else's standards.