‘Between a Rock and a Hard Place’ by Aron Ralston is the author’s true life account of surviving the aftermath of a climbing accident. Aron was hiking alone through a remote and rocky Utah canyon when a falling boulder trapped his arm. After five days of alternating hope and despair Aron devised a solution as effective as it was shocking. Employing a cool logic reminiscent of the ‘cutting–the-rope’ incident in Joe Simpson’s ‘Touching the Void’, Aron severed his trapped arm using a penknife. He tells his extraordinary tale in present tense diary style, supplemented with verbatim transcripts from his video diary. The immediacy and intimacy generated by this writing technique make for a compelling read, drawing us in on a personal level until we are there, trapped with him. This is an inspiring account of how a young, active, outdoor loving man was forced, while in solitary desperation, to consider and take extreme measures to save his life. (paperback £7.99)
From the solitary climber to the team player – from physical mutilation for survival to self-destruction while enjoying the heights of fame and fortune; ‘Gazza: My Story’ by Paul Gascoigne is the updated paperback edition of Hunter Davies’ award winning collaboration with the flawed football genius. The book rightly won the ‘Sports Book of the Year’ at the British Book Awards as well as universal critical acclaim for its honesty. Gascoigne’s appeal broke out of the football world and into the national psyche at large when he was pictured giving his all for England, tears streaming down his face, kissing the three lions on his shirt. The footballer’s biography has raised its game in recent years with some excellent books that have faced up to the vulnerability of their male leads. ‘Gazza’ joins ‘Addicted’ by Tony Adams and ‘Full Time – the secret story of Tony Cascorino’ at the top table of must-read football books. (paperback £6.99)
The third book examines the exploits of another team of professionals; but these guys don’t play games. ‘Operation Certain Death’ by Damien Lewis is billed as ‘The Inside Story of the SAS’s Greatest Battle’ and details the 1999 mission to rescue captured British soldiers held deep in the African jungle. Out numbered 5 to 1 the SAS, SBS and 1 Para attacked the stronghold of the rebel group ‘The West Side Boys’ and with daring, ingenuity and courage pulled off the most spectacular special forces operation since 1945. Lewis conducted extensive interviews with the men involved, both hostages and special forces, to construct this 650 page blow by blow account that takes the reader on a nightmare journey into the heart of darkness. Lewis writes with real journalistic skill, simultaneously chronicling events and pacing the unfolding story like a Freddy Forsyth thriller. (paperback £6.99)
This article first appeared in 'The Times & Star' June 2005. Copyright is owned by The Derwent Bookshop.
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