Sunday 15 September 2019

Kenya, A Mountain to Climb - Book Review

As many of you who read this blog regularly will know, I suffer with mental illness. I have a diagnosis of depression and anxiety, which was first made almost ten years ago. Unlike some people, I know my diagnosis is a 'forever' condition. My father suffers and so does my youngest daughter. For some of us, there is an hereditary element. In some ways, I'd rather that, it makes it easier for me to manage. I'm able to identify my triggers and let those close to me know my triggers, enabling myself, and others, to rein me in when necessary and practise some self care. I'm lucky, to have a fabulous next door neighbour, an amazing fiance and two wonderful daughters, who tell me to take a break when they can see I'm taking on too much.

I also have some awesome friends on Twitter, people who got me through my darkest days and to the place I am now in; which is a place where I work my wee butt off to raise awareness of mental illness and try to help people living with a diagnosis, or caring for someone, to cope and seek help. Hence, when I saw that Rod Wood was looking for people to review his latest book, I jumped at the chance.


Review Disclaimer

Rod is a vet by profession. Some years ago, he was fighting his own battle with depression and was encouraged by a good friend to fulfil a lifetimes ambition to climb Kilimanjaro. In his latest book, 'Kenya, A Mountain to Climb,' we find Rod itching to get back to the African continent he has fallen in love with and setting himself a new challenge.

Kenya, A Mountain to Climb

Now it's worth saying here, that I too was a bit of a climber, back in the day, something my ballet teacher was not at all happy with, but it is a fabulous sport. It's a discipline that forces you to trust yourself and others around you, and they, you. This can be a major hurdle for anyone suffering with depression, because trust is not something the illness allows you to do, and it certainly doesn't want anyone putting their trust in you. So Rod really was challenging himself on that first climb and congratulations to him for overcoming his obstacles and for taking on this latest journey.

This time round, Rod returns, not only to climb Mount Kenya, but also to go on safari and see the wildlife up close and personal. Maybe that's not the best description, no one really wants to get up close and personal with a wild animal, particularly if it happens to have sharp teeth, or a horn, or tusks, or just happens to be a very grumpy hippo, but you get the idea, I hope. Anyway, having digressed, let's return to Rod. We join him on his journey at the planning stage, then follow him through some gruelling training walks in preparation for his imminent climb, and through to the main story, travelling to Africa and living his latest adventure through his descriptions of the landscapes, people, wildlife and the challenges they all face in a country where global warming really is having a serious impact already. On his journey he meets some cheeky wildlife, learns about the locals, meets some interesting fellow tourists and reconnects with the mountain that changed his life.

I will admit, it did take me longer to read than I had anticipated, and I think this is largely due to myself not being accustomed to reading autobiographies. I have a number of them in my bookcase, all of which are partially read, but I was determined to finish Rod's story because we have so much in common and I'm so glad I did. Rod has rebuilt himself, his life and his outlook.

It's difficult to review Rod's story without giving away too much, but what I can say is this, Rod's passion for Kenya, her mountains and wildlife really come across strongly. I have never visited the African continent and am sure, as much as I would love to, that I ever will, but Rod's detailed descriptions paint pictures and atmosphere that make you feel as though you too are getting to know this fascinating land. Through his conversations with the local people, you will learn about the agriculture, politics and conservation concerns. You will also learn about it's rich wildlife and the threats they face from global warming and from man. Lastly, but most importantly, you can gain an insight into the life that can be led following recovery from mental illness. The strength and resilience one gains from winning the battle with ones own mind, and the determination to succeed.

If you have an interest in wildlife, Africa, mountains and mental health, this is definitely worth giving a go. I'm glad I persisted and I'm even more glad to see the person Rod has become. It is so easy to lose hope and feel that recovery will never come when you are lost in that dark lonely place that is depression, but stories like Rod's are proof that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It may take time, in fact it will, but like climbing a mountain, you have to prepare, train, research and take one small step at a time.


If you are suffering with mental illness and need help, please do contact any of the services detailed below:

Mind https://www.mind.org.uk

Samaritans https://www.samaritans.org/

Time to Change https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Young Minds https://youngminds.org.uk/


Keep Calm and Carry On Linking Sunday

Musings Of A Tired Mummy

Twin Mummy and Daddy

25 comments:

  1. I've always like biographies and this one sounds very appealing. I loved to hike as a girl but was never a mountain climber by any stretch of the imagination. Now I just enjoy climbing vicariously through others. Sounds like a good book! #MMBC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I find biographies and autobios so difficult to read, but I think you have to read them in a different way, which I've not yet mastered. I think I need to read more of them. Rod's story is certainly a brave one x

      Delete
  2. Sounds a real inspiring read X #kcacols

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is certainly a braver man than I. Not sure I would be up for climbing a mountain in a foreign country x

      Delete
  3. This sounds like a great book. I am more a fan of autobiographies than fiction. It sounds like a book which makes you want to visit Africa! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OMG Kim! You are so right. I really would love to go now, particularly on the safari's x

      Delete
  4. It sounds like an interesting book. It does seem like an unusual way of defeating depression, but I guess we all have our mountains to climb. (mine is the stairs at the end of the day and I'm not joking.) Africa is an amazing continent, one I'll never visit but I love watching documentaries. (and I have some good friends that live there.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Anne. Yes I agree. I think climbing a mountain would probably increase my anxiety, and yes the stairs are sometimes the biggest hurdle for me too x

    ReplyDelete
  6. Does sound like a great read, and bound to be some great pictures from such an amazing journey! #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are some lovely photos, sadly in black and white, which is a shame, but still lovely to see x

      Delete
  7. Sounds like an inspiring read. I hope to visit Africa someday - it's on my bucket list.

    Great review, BTW.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to go too, but not sure I'll get the opportunity, maybe when the girls have grown up we might go together x

      Delete
  8. I hope any of you that read my book can take as much out of the experience as it meant to me. Kenya is a wonderful country.
    Kilimanjaro was my solution to depression, achieving something I had wanted to do all my life and when I was down, that success and the confidence it gave me, especially in then writing "Kilimanjaro. My Story" was a real boost to me. I had always hated writing before then, but a new confidence means I can now enjoy putting my thoughts down as the printed word.
    A colour version is available but direct from myself if anyone is interested. My publisher advised black and white photos to keep the price down. (rodwoodauthor@gmail.com)
    I hope some of you read and enjoy my, Kenya's story.
    Rod Wood

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Rod and thank you so much for your lovely, lovely comment. I shall email you direct.

      Delete
  9. This sounds like a very inspiring book! #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
  10. Just returning back from #thatfridaylinky X

    ReplyDelete
  11. This sounds like a remarkable book! #GlobalBlogging

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's certainly made me want to visit myself one day x

      Delete
  12. This sounds like such an interesting read! #KCACOLS

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it was very interesting. I would love to read Rod's first book x

      Delete
  13. Wow he seems like a brave man! I would love to read this one day, I will add it to my must read list! Thank you so much for linking with us for #kcacols and we hope to see you next time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love linking up, it's been a bit crazy here, so I've not had a chance to read as many posts as I would have liked, but I do enjoy this linky so much :-) x

      Delete