J. R. Harris
Reading books had a direct and specific impact in my becoming an explorer. As a young black kid growing up in a working class family in a New York city housing project, I loved to read and was fortunate to have a library nearby. I spent my time reading books about the 19th century’s "age of discovery," and dreamed that one day I too might get "out there" and become an explorer. These books had a powerful influence on me, ultimately leading my dreams of exploration to come true.
After many years of travel to the far corners of the world, I wrote my own book about my adventures, Way Out There: Adventures of a Wilderness Trekker.. As a proud Mountaineers Books author and member of the outdoor community, I want to extend a tremendous THANK YOU for supporting books that inspire all people to get outside.
Because of you, Mountaineers Books continues to serve as an independent nonprofit publisher, passionate about sharing stories of community, adventure, and advocacy. You make it possible for The Mountaineers to remain in the business of making a difference, by bringing my story, and many others, to millions of people around the world. Maybe somewhere there is a kid from humble beginnings like mine who will read my book and be inspired to dream big, and then go out and make it happen. Books have the power to do that. I'm living proof.
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P.S. The Mountaineers is excited to announce that 129 donors contributed over $23,000 to directly support The Mountaineers publishing efforts. Thank you again to Rich and Martha Draves for matching all $100 donations up to $10,000. If you were one of those donors, thank you for making a difference for millions of readers young and old. If you missed your chance to give, it is never too late to make an impact.
