Brendan Leonard’s book, Sixty Meters to Anywhere, tells a universal story of drunkenness and the recovery process. The non-fiction anecdote begins with an unlucky police encounter and young Leonard ending up in jail (3). It was definitely an event “to mark the end of his youth” (1) as he says. Brendan becomes an alcoholic at a young age, and struggles with family (5). He acknowledges that his grandfather was an alcoholic, that he got drunk for the first time at the age of 15 (6), and that he has drove drunk multiple times. Brendan being allowed to try and control his drinking was not possible, so he was sentenced to rehab and 6 months in jail. Later on when his brother presents him with a climbing rope for christmas (90), Brendan has no clue what his use would be with it.
After rehab and jail time, Brendan begins a new life in Montana. Being single, broke, and unable to drive made for a dreadful start (37). He began taking his journalism classes, only to find out how much more interesting people’s lives were. He explained the struggle of not being able to drink yet still having a social life; seeing and hearing people go out made his stay in Montana and sobriety even harder (45). His solution to help relied in cigarettes, he smoked multiple cigarettes a day. However, he made a friend, Tim, who he hiked with many times. He then got into hiking Borah peak with Tim (70-72) ; finding a distraction in the thrill and seeing the breath-taking views only seen on National Geographic magazines.
He began working at REI, an outdoor store, in Phoenix. Although he did not know much about outdoor equipment, he learned pretty quickly and soon acquired some (88). Many who worked with him were into climbing, Brendan decided to give it a go, finally putting to use that climbing rope he received at Christmas. After the discovery of how much he enjoyed it and many climbing trips, Leonard got his mom into going with him. Through this they bonded and healed the wounds of disappointment in their relationship. Through climbing and being sober, Leonard learns many lessons about life and finds himself and who he really is.
A main theme in Sixty Meters to Anywhere is valuing family. Brendan’s family never gave up on him; his mother stuck by his side throughout his journey (4). When Brendan’s grandmother ends up in the hospital, he is quick to be there by her side and pay back for all the times he was cared by her (163). Another lesson would have to be about finding one’s true self in nature and taking the risk of trying new things. Brendan tried something completely new, climbing, in hope to busy himself from the desire to drink. Through climbing and being outdoors, he found inspiration for his writing and being himself (160).
After rehab and jail time, Brendan begins a new life in Montana. Being single, broke, and unable to drive made for a dreadful start (37). He began taking his journalism classes, only to find out how much more interesting people’s lives were. He explained the struggle of not being able to drink yet still having a social life; seeing and hearing people go out made his stay in Montana and sobriety even harder (45). His solution to help relied in cigarettes, he smoked multiple cigarettes a day. However, he made a friend, Tim, who he hiked with many times. He then got into hiking Borah peak with Tim (70-72) ; finding a distraction in the thrill and seeing the breath-taking views only seen on National Geographic magazines.
He began working at REI, an outdoor store, in Phoenix. Although he did not know much about outdoor equipment, he learned pretty quickly and soon acquired some (88). Many who worked with him were into climbing, Brendan decided to give it a go, finally putting to use that climbing rope he received at Christmas. After the discovery of how much he enjoyed it and many climbing trips, Leonard got his mom into going with him. Through this they bonded and healed the wounds of disappointment in their relationship. Through climbing and being sober, Leonard learns many lessons about life and finds himself and who he really is.
A main theme in Sixty Meters to Anywhere is valuing family. Brendan’s family never gave up on him; his mother stuck by his side throughout his journey (4). When Brendan’s grandmother ends up in the hospital, he is quick to be there by her side and pay back for all the times he was cared by her (163). Another lesson would have to be about finding one’s true self in nature and taking the risk of trying new things. Brendan tried something completely new, climbing, in hope to busy himself from the desire to drink. Through climbing and being outdoors, he found inspiration for his writing and being himself (160).