Book Review: Survival of the Sickest by Dr. Sharon Moalem

By Kristy McCaffrey

Survival of the Sickest:

A Medical Maverick Discovers Why We Need Disease

By

Dr. Sharon Moalem with Jonathan Prince

This fascinating read delves into how certain conditions such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and high cholesterol may have benefited humans at one time. Evolution favors survival, and in the face of environmental pressures our genes have, at times, given humans the ability to conquer an immediate biological foe only to have that solution work against us in the long term. The book begins with hereditary disorders, and normally such conditions should die out somewhere along the evolutionary line, but many haven’t. Why? Evolution likes genetic traits that help us to survive and reproduce. Anything that doesn’t contribute to this won’t last long in the genetic pool.

Dr. Moalem first examines a condition called hemochromatosis, a hereditary disease that disrupts how the body metabolizes iron. Normally, the body can detect if there is too much iron and will thereby reduce the amount that is absorbed into your intestines, and the excess will pass out of the body. But with hemochromatosis, the body thinks that it never has enough iron, so continues to absorb it. Over time, this can damage joints, major organs, and affect overall body chemistry. Ultimately, it can lead to liver and/or heart failure, diabetes, arthritis, infertility, psychiatric disorders, and even cancer. If nothing is done, death is inevitable.

Surprisingly, however, the gene for hemochromatosis is the most common genetic variant in people of Western European descent. Humans need iron for nearly every function of our metabolism, but so do parasites and cancer cells. In order to keep it away from deadly invaders, our body has iron-related defense mechanisms, such as proteins in our mouth, eyes, noses, ears and genitals that lock up iron molecules and prevent them from being used.

In 1347, the bubonic plague swept through Europe, killing upwards of 25 million people. Not everyone infected died, however. Research has indicated that the more iron in a given population, the more vulnerable they were to the plague. Generally speaking, adult men were at greater risk than malnourished children and the elderly, who were often iron deficient, as well as adult women, who were iron-depleted from menstruation, pregnancy and breast-feeding.

So, what does this have to do with hemochromatosis? People with this condition, while they have too much iron in much of their body, actually have too little inside their white blood cells—the police of our immune systems and the vector that many infectious agents use to feed off iron and multiply. The plague could never get a foothold in these people.

Hemochromatosis is thought to have originated among the Vikings and was spread throughout Europe as they colonized the coastline, and its purpose may have been altogether different initially. But although the condition would have eventually killed them in the long term, it offered short-term protection against the plague. Those who survived reproduced and passed the mutation on to their children. With successive waves of plague breaking out as recently as the nineteenth century, this condition has survived into today’s population. This might also explain why there was never an epidemic as bad as the Black Death of 1347 to 1350, because people with hemochromatosis made up a majority of the survivors, thereby giving subsequent generations protection.

Dr. Moalem analyzed diabetes, specifically Type 1, which is common in people of Northern European descent and appears to have risen during a rapid cool-down of the earth about 13,000 years ago. It turns out that sugar is a natural antifreeze, and the body’s ability to pump a high amount of glucose into the blood may have helped those caught in a sudden ice age to survive. Moalem also touches on cystic fibrosis (carriers of this gene are protected from tuberculosis), childbirth (and why it has evolved to be so dangerous for human females), as well as HIV and aging.

The bottom line is that while evolution is amazing, it’s not perfect, and every adaptation comes with a compromise. This riveting read will change your perspective on disease and the role genetics plays in our lives.

Read Survival of the Sickest at Amazon

Reading Recommendations

Reviews by Kristy McCaffrey

As 2015 comes to a close, here's a few great reads you might want to check out.

Eyes of the Wild

by

Eleanor O’Hanlon

I picked up this book because of the section pertaining to the gray whales of Baja, a place near to my heart. And Ms. O’Hanlon’s recollections of this are spot on. But I also enjoyed the sections about wolves, bears and horses. She relates myth alongside science and observation, blending it all into a magical view of the richness of life on earth. Her eloquent prose will calm and enchant. A beautiful read for those desiring a deeper connection to wildlife.

* * * *

Capture The Night

by

Cheryl Pierson

Alexa Bailey is on a vacation in a Dallas hotel when a mad faction of the Irish Republican Army takes over, killing many and capturing hostages. She manages to elude them and stumbles across an injured police officer—Johnny Logan. He’s in bad shape, so she does her best to keep him alive. They’re soon aided by a Vietnam veteran named Daniel, who isn’t quite right in the head. The terrorist leader, Kieran McShane, is cold and crazy but intelligent enough to keep you guessing until the end. Amidst all of this, Johnny and Alexa fall for each other and you’ll be rooting for their happily ever after. This is a complex story that unfolds slowly but kept me riveted.

* * * *

Dance Of The Winnebagos

by

Ann Charles

In this engaging mystery, Claire Morgan has accompanied her grandfather to the Dancing Winnebagos RV Park in southern Arizona to keep an eye on him and his elderly pals as they carouse for women. But when Claire discovers a leg bone in the desert, her natural curiosity leads her into a whodunit concerning a mine. She must also contend with Mac Garner, a sexy geotechnician exploring the area for his Aunt Ruby, owner of the RV park. ‘Dance of the Winnebagos’ is a fun-filled ride starring a cast of colorful characters. With laugh-out-loud dialogue and a smoldering romance between Claire and Mac, this was a story I couldn’t put down. This is the first book in The Jackrabbit Junction Mystery series and I certainly look forward to reading the rest.

* * * *

Luck of the Draw

by

Julie Lence

Royce Weston first meets Paige at the poker tables when she tries to swindle him for her abusive father. When their encounter ends in a family tragedy—with Paige nearly dead—she appears at his doorstep thanks to Royce’s younger brother. Having lost her memory, she must rely on the Weston’s to care for her. In repayment, she stays on to tend house and cook for them, since there hasn’t been a woman in residence for some time. But Royce doesn’t trust her, believing her presence to be a ruse; at some point her true colors will show themselves.

‘Luck of the Draw’ is a wonderful read with well-drawn characters in a western setting. The romance between Royce and Paige unfolds slowly, with a satisfying arc. Royce is a bit of a hot-head, and Paige is the perfect foil to heal his past heartaches. I always enjoy a Julie Lence novel.

* * * *

On The Edge: The Art Of High-Impact Leadership

by

Alison Levine

Alison Levine is a mountaineer and polar explorer, and has completed the Adventure Grand Slam—skiing to both the North and South Poles, and summiting the highest peak on each continent. She was the captain for the first American Women’s Everest Expedition in 2002 and has worked on Wall Street as well as serving three years as an adjunct professor at West Point. A popular speaker and consultant in leadership development, her unorthodox advice includes: look for teammates with big egos, when making progress turn around and change direction, practice sleep deprivation, don’t try to overcome weakness, and success can be a problem.

Drawing heavily from her experiences in the mountains, she provides real-life examples of what it can mean to be under-prepared and not work together as a team. Both can lead to catastrophic circumstances, especially in extreme outdoor environments, but her insights are easily applicable to the business world. One chapter discusses ego and the need to be surrounded by people who have a big one. Not to be confused with arrogance, teams need members who are good at what they do and know it. When scaling Everest, no one wants to get caught behind a climber suddenly seized by a crisis of confidence.

She drives home the point that failure should be embraced. Not reaching a summit imparts valuable lessons to a mountain climber, knowledge that can make the difference on a subsequent attempt. Never underestimate the need for a strong network and always remain agile, both can be reasons that lead to being left behind. And, while it may seem obvious, be good to people. Trust and loyalty will follow.

On The Edge showcases leadership skills gleaned from extreme environments, but the principles are suitable for corporate cultures, running the local PTO, or raising a family. Ms. Levine’s writing style is engaging and humorous, and her expertise leaps confidently from the page. Like any good adventure writer, she seamlessly brings you into her world, making the experience personal and intimate. And, while she has your attention, she imparts wisdom that just may help you run a better business, coach your child’s soccer team, or perhaps climb a mountain.

* * * *

Wild

by

Cheryl Strayed

This book is a wrenching tale of a woman trying to find a way to love and mother herself, a journey many women must endure, whether they’ve had terrible childhoods or not. Ms. Strayed’s memoir is stark, shocking, and incredibly authentic. For that, I give her kudos. This is less a story of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail than it is about narrowing one’s life so that the truest self can be found. She was a lost soul, having endured an abusive father, the death of her beloved mother too young from cancer, and her own hand at destroying her marriage. She is also caught up in heroin and no boundaries when it comes to men. Hiking the trail doesn’t solve her problems, but it does help her see herself in ways she never did before. A well-written book I couldn’t put down.

* * * *

E-Squared

by

Pam Grout

A wonderful book to help rethink one’s view of the Universe. If you liked ‘The Secret’ then this book is a natural extension of that idea. We all have access to the field of potentiality, meaning that our thoughts create our reality. Ms. Grout does a fine job of putting it all into perspective, along with a dose of humor. This book is a fast read but it will take time to perform the 9 experiments she suggests. Some worked better than others for me. I fully acknowledge that my own inner restraints and fears likely affected the outcome at times. Some of the ideas, such as looking for the miraculous in everyday life, I’ve done for  so long that it was nothing new to me. Still, it was a pleasure to read this book and experiment with the ideas presented.

* * * *

Forget Me Not

by

Jennifer Lowe-Anker

This memoir by Jennifer Lowe-Anker is a tribute to her late husband, Alex Lowe, who was considered by many to be one of the best climbers in the world at the time of his death. This is a love story and Jennifer shares their blossoming relationship, marriage, and family life with three sons in great detail. I couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful gift this book is to her children. A climber herself, she understands her husband’s deep need to push himself in the outdoors; but while motherhood calmed those urges in her, Alex was forever caught between his passion for the mountains and his deep love and loyalty to his family. Those on the outside may never understand this lifestyle, but Jennifer shows what it means to love someone as they are, although she certainly wasn’t always happy that Alex frequently spent months away from home. When he’s lost in an avalanche on Shishapangma in 1999, she holds nothing back in sharing her grief but also the healing. Her involvement with Conrad Anker—Alex’s best friend and likewise a world-renowned climber—is also addressed. She and Conrad would marry, and he would help to raise Alex’s sons. Perhaps only together could the two of them heal their grief over losing a man they both loved so much. I’m indebted to Ms. Lowe-Anker for sharing the stories of her life with Alex. His was a unique spirit, gone too soon.

* * * *

Blood Curse

by

Kat Flannery

In the 1700's, Pril Peddler is a gypsy living in Virginia. She cares for her dead sister's daughter, a girl reputed to be gifted with the greatest of all clan powers, known as a Chuvani. To lift a blood curse placed by the girl's mother, the formidable Monroe family seeks to kill the child. Pril has powers of her own, but her fear and strong sense of protection of the girl keep her from fully exploring those abilities. Kade Walker also searches for the child, for reasons of his own. His vow to protect Pril and the girl are soon at odds with his original motives, and his growing love for the gypsy woman is an unwanted distraction. Ms. Flannery has crafted a taut story deeply embedded with gypsy lore, along with the fanatical fear of witches that permeated the time period. Pril and Kade's love grows slowly, and surprising betrayals and revelations will keep the pages turning.

* * * *

Dirty Little Secret

by

Jennifer Echols

Bailey Wright is an 18-year-old fiddle player living in Nashville and recently pushed aside by her family because younger sister Julie just got a recording contract. Forbidden to play by both her parents and the record executives, Bailey becomes the “dirty little secret” that could ruin her sister’s fledgling career. This has made Bailey understandably bitter. While her parents tour with Julie, she’s shipped across town to live with her grandfather, and she convinces him to let her play in makeshift bands that roam the local mall. Bailey is a bit of a prodigy, and it’s not long before cute Sam Hardiman recognizes it. He invites her to be a part of his band; she agrees, because not only is Sam the hottest boy she’s ever met, she also desperately misses performing.

When I started this book, I really didn’t think it would interest me. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The love story between Bailey and Sam is full of so much passion and angst, I couldn’t put it down. This is the Young Adult genre, so it’s not overly graphic, but underneath is a sweetness that surprised me, especially when they lose their virginity to one another. But the real soul of this story is the deep connection that Bailey has to her talent and to her music. It’s not just a part of her—it’s the only way she knows to navigate the world. And it takes losing it to make her realize how much she needs it.

End Of Summer Reading Recommendations

By Kristy McCaffrey

If you're like me, I look forward to spending my evenings reading as Fall approaches. Here are a few of my recommended reads. I've included both non-fiction and fiction.

Four Corners: A Journey into the Heart of Papua New Guinea by Kira Salak

This coming-of-age tale, told against the backdrop of a journey through Papua New Guinea (PNG), is at times engrossing and baffling. Ms. Salak is 24 years old at the time and sets out to cross PNG. She does so by several means. Along the way, she encounters locals and foreigners, and often puts her life at risk. Her descriptions and impressions are at times humorous and heartbreaking, especially her time spent at a  refugee camp. The journey encompasses her search for...something. Even she's not certain what. This is as much a psychological trek as a discovery of a place so different than what much of us know. Kudos to Salak for having the courage to share her tale.

**********

The Cruelest Journey: Six-Hundred Miles To Timbuktu by Kira Salak

Having read Ms. Salak's previous non-fiction book, Four Corners, I was so pleased to find a level of maturity and wisdom in this book that was lacking in the other. In Four Corners, she seemed both lost and driven in her pursuit to explore Papua New Guinea, and took unnecessary risks that not even she could understand. But in The Cruelest Journey, we have a woman who can articulate why she would undertake such a dangerous journey (traveling the Niger River by kayak, facing village after village of possibly hostile natives). Weaving in the story of an 18th century Scottish explorer named Mungo Park who also undertook this journey, we're given a glimpse into the wonder and madness that accompanies intrepid travelers that spans the ages. I really loved this book, and I appreciate Ms. Salak's candor in sharing herself and her experiences. We may not always agree with or understand her desire to explore remote parts of the world, but her courage (both on and off the page) lets us come along for the ride.

**********

Freefall by Robin Brande

Eliza Shepherd has recently lost her husband Jamey to a climbing accident. As an adventure writer and columnist, she must come to grips with not only losing the love of her life but a lifestyle as well. When her mother-in-law, Hildy, loses her own husband and decides to move from Nevada back to New York, Eliza makes an impulsive decision to accompany her. Moving to the town where Jamey grew up, she hopes to find closure in addition to material for a book she's trying to write about her deceased husband.

Eliza soon catches the eye of Ted Walsh, a handsome local man who'd been childhood friends with Jamey. Eliza isn't in the mood to date, despite two years having passed since Jamey's death, but Ted is persistent. She also comes in contact with Ted's older brother, David. Eliza doesn't like David initially--their dogs get into a scuffle and he's rude about it--but it's clear she's curious about him. When her dog suffers a bout of heat exhaustion, David comes to the rescue and they find themselves alone at his house. With it suddenly clear that David interests her far more than Ted, she begins a physical relationship without hesitation. That she could ever love anyone again after Jamey surprises her, but the connection with David is undeniable and intense.

The third act of the novel draws out a misunderstanding between the two far too long, but it keeps the pages turning. Ms. Brande creates a believable and likable character in Eliza and a dark, brooding hero in David, who suffers from a slight stutter. The grief of losing a loved one to an adventurous lifestyle is handled with sharp insight and understanding, while Eliza's romance with David gives hope that life does go on. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

**********

Solar Storms by Linda Hogan

This lyrical, haunting and ultimately uplifting novel is very hard to describe. I've tried several times to tell others about it and know I've failed to convey the magic that lies between the words. It's a story about five generations of women, it's a story about the building of dams north of Minnesota and the devastation to the animals and people, it's a story about the many facets of the human spirit, both good and evil. But the gem of the tale lies in the connection to Mother Earth. Read the book. Any synopsis doesn't do it justice. It must be experienced firsthand.

**********

Wish For The Moon by Celia Yeary

At first glance, this book isn’t what it seems. The story of a 16-year-old girl who lives on a farm in North Texas might seem too pedestrian to grab a reader’s attention. However, it’s anything but ordinary, and that’s due in large part to Ms. Yeary’s mastery of storytelling.

Annie McGinnis resides with her parents and two older brothers in the remote Texas countryside. She yearns to see the world, but has no practical outlet for such fanciful longings. One day, a young man appears on their doorstep, hungry and looking for work. Max Landry isn’t on the run exactly, but he does have a secret that will propel Annie out of her comfort zone to help him. And, along the way, she comes to love him.

With well-drawn secondary characters—Annie’s slow-witted brother Clifford will be a favorite—and an attention to detail of the early-twentieth century, the tale unfolds with a subtlety that soon grips you. It’s an endearing and memorable story of a girl finding her way in the world. I couldn’t put the book down.

**********

Girl Underwater by Claire Kells

Avery Delacorte is a college swimmer on a Thanksgiving flight home from San Francisco to Boston when the plane crashes in the Rocky Mountains. Only she, her teammate Colin, and three little boys survive. The story switches between her months of recovery and the immediate aftermath of the crash. This narrative style works extremely well in keeping you on the edge of your seat. Told entirely from Avery's point-of-view, we plummet into PTSD and her struggle to overcome it. Parallel to this challenge is a romantic subplot involving the stoic Colin and Avery's conflicted feelings for him, both before and after the crash. I have to admit, I couldn't put this book down. A very well-crafted story.

**********

Beggarman Thief by S.K. McClafferty

CIA agent London Llewellyn walks into a dark hotel room to find her brother murdered and two assailants fighting. Devastated, she escapes with her life, but the key to finding her brother’s killer lies in finding those antagonists, one of whom likely was an eyewitness. Adam De Wulf is ex-CIA, still acting like a spook as he tries to steal a very rare orchid. Stumbling into the murder of Llewellyn’s brother was an accident; when London locates him he refuses to help, wanting to stay as far from his old job as possible. But sparks fly and they’re soon deep in espionage that includes clues from Adam’s past. Beggarman Thief is a fast-paced thriller, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end. Ms. McClafferty knows her spy stuff, blending the action well with the growing attraction between Adam and London. The relationship is hot, with level-headed and driven Llewellyn matching wits with sexy De Wulf at every turn. An entertaining good time.

**********

Prodigal Gun by Kathleen Rice Adams

Following the Civil War, Jessie Caine has been raising her daughter alone at the Hard Eights, a ranch in Texas. She's both tough and heartbroken. When the reason for that despair appears on her doorstep--Mason Caine, the man she's always loved and her husband's brother--she's stunned. Believing Mason was dead, she must now come to terms with this new version of the man to which she once gave her heart. But Mason has secrets of his own, not the least of which is an alias known as Calhoun, a hired gun with a reputation that threatens his safety at every turn. Loving Jessie and staying with her are options he's hard-pressed to resolve. This is a novel with a  full western tilt, along with a steamy romance sure to please. This is Ms. Adams' first novel-length story and it doesn't disappoint. While the descriptions and historical detail are well-researched, it's the redemption of bad-boy Mason at which Adams excels. You'll be rooting for him at the end, and for the peace that he can only find with Jessie.

**********

Point of Direction by Rachel Weaver

Anna and Kyle decide to live at an isolated lighthouse north of Juneau, Alaska and it soon takes a toll on both of them, but in different ways. They've kept secrets from one another--painful wounds each is trying to heal on their own. Ms. Weaver's book perfectly captures the folly of youth and the ignorance that propels individuals into situations they're unprepared for. But it's in this messiness that the inward journey unfolds. You'll keep turning the pages to see how it all turns out. To give more of the plot would spoil it. And I couldn't keep the tears away at the end.

**********

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey

In her 30's, Ms. Bailey contracted an unknown virus after a trip to Europe. What seemed at first to be the flu eventually turned into a two-decade struggle with a debilitating illness, leaving her bedridden for months at a time. She acquires a snail from the woods near her house and spends hours each day observing the creature. Her insights are intriguing--how many know what a snail likes to eat, its favorite place to sleep, or how they reproduce? With simple, easy-to-read prose, Bailey shows us how the world becomes when we focus on small details. Forced to slow her life to a snail's pace, the creature becomes a kindred spirit in a most profound way. I found this book to be an unexpected treat; her illness is heartbreaking, making you feel gratitude for the good health most of us take for granted, but her observations into the snail's world show us that we move through life so quickly, invariably missing the magic of other creatures sharing the planet with us.

Reading Alley Grand Opening Celebration! #ReadingAlleyEvent

I wanted to share this wonderful new site with you all. If you're an avid reader and enjoy writing reviews, this is a great opportunity to receive free books. Enjoy! ~ Kristy

AN INVITATION

Calling all passionate book reviewers!

Reading Alley is officially launching and we are marking it in a big way with our Grand Opening event! Take part in a variety of site activities, such as our weekly contests, review challenge and referral program. The more active you are, the higher your chances of winning in our Grand Draw. Lots of irresistible prizes, including an Amazon Kindle and gift certificates, are up for grabs.

On June 19, Week 2 of our Weekly Contest goes live. Answer 3 questions and get a chance to win an Amazon Gift Card! Each week, we will have different winners, for a total of 12 winners by the time the party is over.

So don't wait! Click here to join now.


WHAT IS READING ALLEY?

Reading Alley is a site that caters to passionate book reviewers. Book reviewers get the chance to read the latest books in the market for FREE. In exchange, the only requirement is for them to submit their honest, unbiased review afterwards.

We feature a variety of books from different genres such as Romance, Mystery and Thriller, Erotica, LGBTQ, New Adult, Science Fiction and Fantasy, Young Adult, and more. These books are from both known and up-and-coming authors. Examples of books currently up for review at the site are:



Authors are welcome to set up their books for review at a reasonable price. By joining Reading Alley, authors gain instant access to this community of reviewers who can share their thoughts and recommendations, leading to greater awareness and exposure of their books.

If you wish to learn more, click here.

Otherwise, sign up for a free account now and join our Grand Opening celebration!

See you there!

Follow Reading Alley

Facebook
Twitter

A Day In The Life Of A Book Reviewer

By Kristy McCaffrey

For almost two years, I’ve been a book reviewer for Women’s Adventure magazine. Because movies and television have glorified this job to such a great degree, I thought I’d share my experience. (This is where you’re supposed to laugh.)

I’m a book nerd. I always have been. Today, I’m a writer. Becoming a book reviewer was a natural extension of my love of the written word, and my desire to comment on it. It certainly suits my need to work quietly by myself.

Read review 

I found my current position via Facebook. Being an introvert and yet wanting to join a book club for years, I found the perfect combination in the Women’s Adventure Magazine Book Club on Facebook. Each month an adventurous read is selected and participants discuss it online. I love it! And not only because I’m a closet adventurist. I found I had much to say about living in India or kayaking around the continent of Australia. And because I was so chatty, I was invited by the magazine to become a reviewer.

Read review

Women’s Adventure publishes four times a year, and while not at the level of Outside or National Geographic Traveler, it offers articles and gear recommendations suited for females. My book reviews are published on their website. I am not paid for these. However, I periodically get a goody box full of fun stuff and I receive free books all year long.

 Read review

How does it work? There are four of us handling the reviews, located in Alaska, South Dakota, Washington and Arizona. We do everything via email. The editor-in-chief forwards any notification she receives regarding a book, and we are free to pursue any that interest us. These requests come from authors, publicists, and publishers. Usually we write individual reviews, but occasionally we combine efforts and all read the same book.

Read review

How do I choose a book for review? While we’re given the latitude to choose stories that appeal, I attempt to adhere to the flavor of the magazine. So, adventurous memoirs written by women about a female journey are likely to get reviewed. We’ve also reviewed camping cookbooks, exercise manuals (such as yoga), travel logs, a film, and reflective memoirs about life in general. And because I’m a fiction writer, many of the adventurous fictional tales submitted often are directed my way. I have also, on one occasion, found a book on my own. I plucked Alison Levine’s hardback On The Edge off the new release rack at Barnes & Noble. I liked it so much, and thought it a perfect fit for the magazine, that I submitted a review. The magazine posted it.

Read review

Read review 

Do I reject books for review? Yes. The biggest reason is a poorly written one. This doesn’t happen often. The other reflects meeting the atmosphere of the magazine. Psychology books, of which I’ve reviewed a few already, straddle this line. While I have nothing against self-help manuals, my feeling is that women adventurers would rather get out there and experience overcoming their fears rather than reading about techniques to do so.

Read review 

Lastly, I will add that I’ve gotten far more out of this gig than I put into it. I’ve found books I never would have otherwise, become acquainted with wonderful authors (some with whom I’m still in contact), and these books have stretched my imagination and broadened my outlook on the world in general. Reviewing has also fine-tuned my critical thinking skills and improved my writing.

Read review 

A day in the life of a book reviewer, while on the outside appearing sedentary, is actually a wild ride through far-off oceans, high mountain passes, and bird rehabilitation centers. It’s traipsing through jungles or hanging from rocky cliffs. It’s delving into the past while making plans for the future. It’s a chance to interpret another’s work and pass on a recommendation. And it’s a privilege to do so.

Read review 

Check out more adventurous book reviews at Women's Adventure.