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Joan M Griffin
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Force of Nature: Three Women Tackle The John Muir Trail Paperback – Sept. 27 2023

by Joan M. Griffin (Author)
4.5 on Goodreads
1,137 ratings
#1 Best Seller in Adventurer & Explorer Biographies
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"Lace up your hiking boots! Let Griffin guide you over granite mountains, through thunderstorms, and wildflower-studded meadows." –Barbara Olson Lawrence, author of the forthcoming Drawing Water

Three friends, women in their fifties, set out to hike "the most beautiful long-distance trail in the world," the John Muir Trail. From the outset, their adventure is complicated by self-inflicted accidents and ferocious weather, then enriched when they "adopt" a young hiker abandoned by her partner along the trail.

The women experience the terror of lightning at eleven-thousand feet, the thrill of walking through a towering waterfall, and the joy of dancing among midnight moonshadows. For a month, they live immersed in vast natural beauty, tackle the trail's physical demands, and find camaraderie among an ensemble cast of eccentric trail characters. Together, they are pulled forward toward the trail's end atop the highest peak in the High Sierra, Mt. Whitney, and the culmination of their transformative journey.

Force of Nature is equal parts gripping adventure tale, personal memoir, and vivid nature writing.

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  1. Print length
    395 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    Sept. 27 2023
  4. Dimensions
    15.24 x 2.51 x 22.86 cm
  5. ISBN-10
    1685132812
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1685132811
  7. See all details
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Product description

Review

"Three women set out to conquer the John Muir Trail in Griffin's debut memoir. An inspiring, empowering memoir by a talented new author." -Kirkus Reviews

"Griffin matches every gripping moment on the trail with an ode to the spectacular landscape of the Sierra, her life-long love for the mountains beaming through her storytelling." -Trail Magazine

"Author Joan M Griffin's storytelling brings this remarkable journey to life, making it a must-read for both adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers that really delves deep into the importance of the journey rather than just the trek itself." -Readers' Favorite

"See the beauty, feel the pain, experience the magic." -Arnold Marsden, author of Muir Trail Magic and veteran of the JMT

"Come along on the adventure of your life!" -Dierdre Wolownick, author of The Sharp End of Life and the oldest woman to climb El Capitan

"Force of Nature made me ache to get back on the trail." -Patricia Dove Miller, author of Bamboo Secrets

"Lace up your hiking boots! Let Griffin guide you over granite mountains, through thunderstorms, and wildflower-studded meadows." -Barbara Olson Lawrence, author of the forthcoming Drawing Water

About the Author

Joan lives under the spell of wanderlust. She takes wing, whenever possible, for actual destinations near and far and for literary locales in the pages of books. A third-generation Californian and proud UCLA Bruin, Joan lives in the Northern California foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada, a world she loves exploring. Joan navigated her way through two careers-marketing computers, then sailboats-before applying her love of storytelling to her dual passions for teaching and writing.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Black Rose Writing (Sept. 27 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 395 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1685132812
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685132811
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 581 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.24 x 2.51 x 22.86 cm
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Joan M Griffin

Joan M Griffin

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Joan lives under the spell of wanderlust. She takes wing, whenever possible, for actual destinations near and far and for literary locales in the pages of books. A third-generation Californian and proud UCLA Bruin, Joan lives in the Northern California foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada, a world she loves exploring. Joan navigated her way through two careers—marketing computers, then sailboats—before applying her love of storytelling to her dual passions for teaching and writing.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
1,431 global ratings

Top reviews from Canada

Pam
5.0 out of 5 stars Book I wanted to read.
Reviewed in Canada on July 2, 2024
Verified Purchase
It is a wonderful tale about three women who embark on a journey together.
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Kristie Toombs
5.0 out of 5 stars Paints a picture
Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2024
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This book is 378 pages but i blew right through it. The author can really set the scene. Her descriptions of all that surrounds them in nature & conversations between the hikers, keeps you turning pages for more. A good reminder that nature is so good for the soul.
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Ssimpson
3.0 out of 5 stars It was ok.
Reviewed in Canada on June 25, 2024
Verified Purchase
Kind of like a journal. One person's account of sometimes 3 on the trail. all pretty predictable.
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Top reviews from other countries

Doug Worthen
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent tale of a physical journey along the JMT and of the self.
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
It was inspiring to read the travelogue of the John Muir Trail and, having hiked in the areas mentioned, it was a great escape to the wilderness and beauty of the Sierras. It was also a very personal tale of the obstacles, inner struggles, and fears that Joan overcame to complete both her physical and spiritual journey. I looked forward to reading and enjoyed the story. I was sad and wanted more once I finished the book. Highly recommended.
4 people found this helpful
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Bonnie
5.0 out of 5 stars Total immersion
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2023
Verified Purchase
Having been to the Sierra and climbed whitney I had some idea of what the 3 women undertook. This book brought out the experience so vividly -the joy, wonder, and the pain and struggle- that I felt was doing it too. This book is a welcome change from many other recent walking and nature writing where the person's mental and personal issues outside the walk dominate the writing. The author puts the reader firmly in the place and the experience.
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LachLannae
5.0 out of 5 stars Thought I would hate it. But no! Wonderful book! Highly recommended!!
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
I didn't choose to read this book. It was assigned as part of a book club. A book about someone's hiking trip sounded terribly dull. VERY VERY WRONG! THIS BOOK IS FANTASTIC!!!!

Completely converted me! Kept me interested the WHOLE time, which is really rare for me. The book has excellent pacing, moving from one thing to the next with just the right amount of details for each day of her journey, it doesn't repeat itself. If something is explained in detail in one place, it's only mentioned again in passing, as it should be.

It'a an engrossing read which walks thru a lot of self-reflection and growth. Somehow, much like our every day lives, shifts that eventually culminate into big change in your life have happened. And that goal is reached!
Very well written with lots of detailed and a bit flowery of descriptions, which I very much enjoyed the creativity of.
Buy this book!
5 people found this helpful
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Barbara R
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable, entertaining, engrossing
Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2024
Verified Purchase
The Three Women, their JMT trail name, is a delightful read. You experience the beauty of nature and the wonders seen in the trail. You also experience the fear and anxiety that come with making such a trek. The bonds of friendship and support between the three and also all the other through hikers. An amazing read, the perfect balance of nature, friendship, compassion, struggle, and determination. Immerse yourself in this well written book.
5 people found this helpful
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Jean Cross
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
Verified Purchase
Unbelievable strength, courage, and perseverance. Enjoyed every step. Like I was there. Four strong women, beautiful as the surrounds. Wow.
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