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The Only Road North | 
 enlarge | Author: Erik Mirandette
Publisher: Zondervan
Category: Book
List Price: $12.99
Buy Used: $1.10
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Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 34095
Media: Paperback
Pages: 304
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6.8 x 4.9 x 1
ISBN: 0310274354
Dewey Decimal Number: 916.0433092
EAN: 9780310274353
ASIN: 0310274354
Publication Date: March 9, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Very good condition,clean pages
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Product Description
The Only Road North is the true-life adventure of a 9,000-mile journey across Africa taken by author Erik Mirandette, his brother, and two friends. When the travelers fall victim to a terrorist attack, Erik must struggle through grief and darkness to find his way back to a life lived for God.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 a glorified 300 page blog June 9, 2008
S. Mcwilliams (Indianapolis, IN)
2 out of 7 found this review helpful
First, I applaud the author for his earlier humanitarian efforts. However, I can't help but get the feeling the entire time he was really only seeking adventure. I know there are thousands of people who volunteer for humanitarian efforts for all of the right reasons, it just doesn't mean everyone does. For example, there are plenty of poor/underprviledged/needy (whatever you wish to call them) right under the author's nose in Grand Rapids, MI. But then again, that wouldn't give him "stories to keep the grandkids busy for hours".
Also, there really isn't anything wrong with volunteering for Foreign Humanitarian Aid efforts partially for the experience. Just don't write a book afterward unless you have a point to make.
To be frank, the author seemed to be quite self important in the "blog" and many paragraphs and "stories" were dedicated to the glorification of his deceased brother. I can't tell you how many times he mentions that he was made for this life. What life? The life of a Young thrill seeking American needlessly risking his life in unstable countries while treating the Dark Continent as his own private off-road course?
I'm also surprised that this book was published by a "christian" publishing company. What exactly was the "message" that was intended to be sent/received? That if God doesn't act as your own private "genie" granting all of your prayers as if they were wishes you will abandon the little faith you profess to have?
I stuck with this book continually hoping the next chapter would offer something of value. It never delivered. Save yourself the time.
A Worthless book June 5, 2008
rob gunn
1 out of 8 found this review helpful
I recently read The ONly Road North by Erik Mirandette. I read it because I know one the the guys in the story, as he was a part of our college campus ministry group for several years.
I will get to the point-this is possibly one of the worst Christian books I have ever read. It is deceptive, has terrible theology, and could really mislead others to follow the author and his friends' example
To be brief:It is deceptive because the ending implies that all the guys are doing fine spiritually. Not so. The one I know has lost interest in pursuing God and does not even claim to be a Christian, as far as I know. Secondly, there are way too many crude expressions and outright swearing in a supposedly christian work. The NT teaches in several places to avoid crude language-apparantly not important to the author or Zondervan
As he mentions several times while having a beer, there is no conclusion or really anything to be learned about God or the Christian life. His brother is dead, they spend tons of money on themselves, treated Africa like their personal motorcycle course and threw rocks at hippos. Yet he is convinced "God made him for this". Based on what? His feelings? And for what? To sight -see? Yet real missionaries, who daily risk their lives to lead people to Christ, are barely mentioned, and then only when they save these guys from danger. Incredible.
What nonsense. They did little for others or for the gospel, and suffered terribly. (In fairness, at the beginning Eric is helping the poor in Morrocco, but it has no spiritual component nor is there any hint that it made much of an impact in the long run)
How is this inspiring? Yes, the survivors bravely healed from their wounds and tragedy. But what does this really teach us? If you take stupid risks you probably will get hurt. God may give you the strength to deal with it. But hey, just go have a beer.
Hardly what I expect from a respected publisher like Zondervan
 fantastic read for boys of all ages May 27, 2008
Mark Oestreicher (El Cajon, CA USA)
when i was a junior higher, i read a book many christian boys read at the time: bruchko, by bruce olsen. it was (and still is) the true, autobiographical story of a teenage boy who wanted to change the world, and took off as a missionary to some unreached tribe. it's full of peril and adventure and gripped me like no book had done before.
erik mirandette's book is that kind of book -- for boys of all ages (including my age: 45).
the only road north is erik's autobiographical story of leaving the airforce academy to find himself in africa, on a three-pronged adventure that would change everything. everything. his first year was in northwest africa, near spain. during this period, he has a come-to-jesus spiritual awakening of sorts and is thrust into a world of "if i don't do this, no one will" terror, humanitarianism and salvation. sensing he needed to understand africa more, the second part is erik, his younger brother, and his best friend's motorcycle trip from cape town, south africa, to ethiopia, through 9000 miles of fear, adventure, wild animals, life-threatening experiences, personal connections, spiritual reflections, motorcycle maintenance, love and friendship.
erik's slightly unpolished "not a professional author" writing style totally works, as it brings an urgent sense of realism to the already true story.
then all hell breaks loose. after their trip is over (this isn't a spoiler, as this was all over the news when it happened, and is revealed in the first chapter of the book), erik and his brother and their friends (a 4th guy has joined them at this point) are sightseeing and walking around on one of their last days prior to heading home to the states when a suicide bomber explodes a bomb right in the middle of their foursome. eriks' brother dies. erik almost dies. the ensuing months are filled with pain of every kind, questions and doubts, and the shocking kind of spiritual and emotional honesty one almost never finds in a christian book. the end isn't pretty and tidy. there's only the slightest upturn toward hope -- just enough to keep the readers from wishing we hadn't read the book.
no, it's not only for manly men. but it is a rare sweet-spot book for guys of all ages -- about 14 on up, with the perfection-point at about 16 - 26.
This Restores My Faith in Young People April 3, 2008
D. Harrington (NYC)
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
As a crim trial atty inner-city Boston courts, and 61 years old now, I do not meet up with the cream of the crop re America's youth, as you can imagine. In fact, I have grown rather cynical over the many years of this kind of work, like working in the ER your whole life. This book was delivered last night and I am halfway thru it already. It is without a doubt one of the two or three best books I have EVER read. I recommend it to anyone, whether you are interested in pure adventure, unusual travel stories, human nature stories, etc. Whatever your particular interests in life, this book is for you. I wish I could give it ten stars instead of five!
Please Read NOW! January 9, 2008
Ted Flickinger
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
If you have ever had an unanswered calling that keeps nudging you, please read this honest story/JOURNEY from some very brave young people! The story does leave you shocked, but it won't let you stop reading until you finish.
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