In the Mountains of Heaven: True Tales of Adventure on Six Continents

This is a very enjoyable read because all of the chapters focus on a different experience in a different part of the world. Tidwell can write in a way that is short, sweet, and humorous, for he has a sense of fun. He starts out with a visit to his Uncle. He then writes about things that most others wouldn't concern themselves to put on paper, like the missing man-hole covers in Kyrgyzstan. He leads us on his curious adventure as to why. Why are they missing? Who takes them? What's the logic behind this phenomenon. And it's interesting and fun to find out. He also organizes a group of folks to save someone's life from half the world away.The fishing expedition in the District of Columbia was fun and he knows more about D.C. than most life-long residents ever will know. That's he writes for a lot of rags about his experiences. He wrote about riding on the Metro with his tackle-box and poles with the drained, weary eyed commuters. This is comedy at its best, and it's non-fiction. So was his ride with John T. Love on the roller coaster ride through the thunder storm. And yes, one can learn and gain wisdom from barbers and hair dressers abroad. We can learn more from chatting with them than most of the other people we come across on our treks. Check this book out.

Was very skeptical at first - (not another US Peace Corps' back-to-ethnicity tales) - (I was a VSO [English equivalent in E. Africa]) - but I have to admit, these stories are really captivating. A pity Paul Theroux has to get his old oar in (via some words of appreciation). No need - Mike has his own style. Was especially fascinated by the stories of downtown DC where nature and interesting characters still exist!! Being a Brit who's not yet had the chance to travel Stateside, I'm happy to be reassured that adventure awaits. A good read and time to book a flight!

At times gripping, at times funny, this is a wonderful collection of essays about the author's adventures in the United States and abroad. Didn't know you could fish in Washington, D.C. -- even within sight of the Washington Monument? (Tidwell shows why the nation's capital is a fishermen's paradise.) Ever had a "flight from hell"? (It probably wasn't as hellish as the flight Tidwell describes.) Ever had a haircut in another country? (Tidwell gets his hair cut in Vietnam by a former member of the Viet Cong who...uh oh...admits to having killed Americans during the war.)Tidwell's writing is lively, engaging, and personal. Thanks to his energetic prose, you feel as if you're right beside him, whether he's flying halfway around the world or driving through Maryland.