All Elevations Unknown: An Adventure in the Heart of Borneo

by Sam Lightner Jr.

Book Overview

"In 1999, when mankind had successfully mapped the surface of the Moon, Venus, and Mars, there were still sections of Borneo that man had nothing to say about other than 'all elevations unknown.'" In... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767907752
• ISBN13: 9780767907750
• Release Date: July 2002
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

History and Modern adventure unite!

Sam Lightner's tale of his 1999 climb up Borneo's Batu Lawi is a wonderful mix of modern adventure and historical retelling of Major Tom Harrison's 1958 book World Within. His story is a classic first-climb adventure in which he and his friends attempt to be the first (as far as they knew) to climb a mystical spire deep in the heart of Borneo. Lightner learned of the peak from an obscure referrence in Tom Harrison's World Within and uses this text as both his guide to the land and the people. In reading about his adventure, you gain insight into not only the heart of a true adventurist trying to step foot where few have ever been and the hardships involved in such undertakings. You'll certainly think twice about sponsorship of your next adventure, especially any video documentation after hearing of his conflicts with his camera crew. At the same time, you'll gain a love of the people and land of Borneo. This tale is perfect for those who love adventure as well as learning the history of a people and their land.

The quality of the writing equals the book's adventure

This book is smartly and excitingly written. I could feel the pounding rain, smell the dampness of the jungle, and the stinging and sucking of the leaches. By combining two stories, Lightner displays the hardships encountered by any outsider trying to achieve goals in harsh, inaccesable Borneo. Lightner's inclusion of Major Tom Harrison during WWII adds depth to the story and his admiration of the major comes through as well as his conflict with the photographers who urge Lightner to take more climbing risks than he knows are prudent. I hope to see more books by the talented rock climber who is also an excellent writer.

Adventure plus painless history

This is a great little book. I knew very little about climbing and found it facinating, but it was the history and research that this author shared with me that kept my attention. The book keeps shifting from the present expedition of climbing a long sought after peak in Borneo, to the expereinces of some Australian special forces that were dropped into the region in WWII to organize resistance of the natives against the Japanese. You will gain the feel of hiking through the jungle, and all the hazards and elements that must be endured. You will also gain a deep respect for the "backward" natives who thrive in the region. Their intelligence and values were quite impressive. Read this book!

Documenting a dream followed

Sam Lightner, Jr., read about Major Tom Harrison's daring exploits in Borneo during the war, and of his feelings for the local people. Being a climber, he was fascinated by descriptions of a peak in the middle of the inpenetrable rainforest, so of course he had to find it and climb it.But this is not a book about climbing, it is a book about following a dream even though very challenging. Lightner weaves a great story with history of Borneo's "White Rajah's" and of the work of Major Harrison. It is a good story rich with the culture and natural environment of Borneo. It is a book for anyone who has ever seen a picture of an exotic far-off place and dreamed of traveling there.

An Adventure worth Taking

In the echo of the fast-paced twentieth century, a time where the world seems to have decreased in size and cultural barriers, Sam Lighner Jr. poignantly reminds us of the enxcitement, frustration, and pride one experiences while exploring one of the planet's remaining treasures, Boreno, and all the cultural riches it harbors. By craftly interweaving the stories of Harrison's struggles during the War with his own obstacles of leading an expedition, Lightner creates a strong anchor of knowledge and historical context for readers to absorb and build upon as they let their imaginations reanact the two tales.