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Climbing The Mountain: My Search For Meaning
With the simple power and astonishing candor that made his 1988 autobiography, The Ragman's Son, a number one international bestseller, Kirk Douglas now shares his quest for spirituality and Jewish identity -- and his heroic fight to overcome crippling injuries and a devastating stroke.
On February 13, 1991, at the age of seventy-four, Kirk Douglas, star of such major motion-picture classics as Champion, Spartacus, and Paths of Glory, was in a helicopter crash, in which two people died and he himself sustained severe back injuries. As he lay in the hospital recovering, he kept wondering: Why had two younger men died while he, who had already lived his life fully, survived?
The question drove this son of a Russian-Jewish ragman to a search for his roots and on a long journey of self-discovery -- a quest not only for the meaning of life and his own relationship with God, but for his own identity as a Jew. Through the study of the Bible, Kirk Douglas found a new spirituality and purpose. His newfound faith deeply enriched his relationship with his own children and taught him -- a man who had always been famously demanding and impatient -- to listen to others and, above all, to hear his own inner voice.
Told with warmth, wit, much humor, and deep passion, Climbing the Mountain is inspirational in the very best sense of the word.
On February 13, 1991, at the age of seventy-four, Kirk Douglas, star of such major motion-picture classics as Champion, Spartacus, and Paths of Glory, was in a helicopter crash, in which two people died and he himself sustained severe back injuries. As he lay in the hospital recovering, he kept wondering: Why had two younger men died while he, who had already lived his life fully, survived?
The question drove this son of a Russian-Jewish ragman to a search for his roots and on a long journey of self-discovery -- a quest not only for the meaning of life and his own relationship with God, but for his own identity as a Jew. Through the study of the Bible, Kirk Douglas found a new spirituality and purpose. His newfound faith deeply enriched his relationship with his own children and taught him -- a man who had always been famously demanding and impatient -- to listen to others and, above all, to hear his own inner voice.
Told with warmth, wit, much humor, and deep passion, Climbing the Mountain is inspirational in the very best sense of the word.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Kirk Douglas
37 books55 followersKirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch, ) was an American stage and film actor, film producer and author. His popular films include Out of the Past (1947), Champion (1949), Ace in the Hole (1951), The Bad and the Beautiful (1952), 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954), Lust for Life (1956), Paths of Glory (1957), Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957), The Vikings (1958), Spartacus (1960), Lonely Are the Brave (1962),The Fury (1978) and Tough Guys (1986)
He is No.17 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time. In 1996, he received the Academy Honorary Award "for 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community."
He was one of the last surviving actors from Hollywood's "golden age". He passed away on February 05, 2020 at the age of 103.
He is No.17 on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest male American screen legends of all time. In 1996, he received the Academy Honorary Award "for 50 years as a creative and moral force in the motion picture community."
He was one of the last surviving actors from Hollywood's "golden age". He passed away on February 05, 2020 at the age of 103.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 24, 2021
I chose this book because my Mom, my very best pal, just passed away. I am looking for comfort from a familiar face, and I found it in Kirk Douglas', lol. I am a secular Jew and also have family who emigrated the U.S. from Russia about the time that his parents did. He has a way with a sentence, truly. I am hearing his voice as I read the book and it is the voice of an expert story teller. There is some beautifully descriptive language in this very frank and revealing writing. So far this has really helped cushion the soul-crushing blow of losing my mom-the woman who helped to make reading one of the great loves of my life.
August 9, 2020
The book consists mainly of anecdotes from Kirk's life. Most of which concern the awards he received, the famous people he has met and all the charity work he does. He recites these in a self deprecating manner but it comes across as bragging nonetheless. There is very little about spirituality or the meaning of life.
Apparently, Kirk spent his first 70 years of life never giving these topics a moment of thought and after finally having done so, now feels compelled to share his new "insights". These insights consist of banalities such as "Did you know Jesus was a Jew?, Did you know the Old Testament is actually the Jewish Bible?
The spiritual knowledge he now claims to profess is about the same as anyone would gain from a few years in Sunday School as a child. A worthless book.
Apparently, Kirk spent his first 70 years of life never giving these topics a moment of thought and after finally having done so, now feels compelled to share his new "insights". These insights consist of banalities such as "Did you know Jesus was a Jew?, Did you know the Old Testament is actually the Jewish Bible?
The spiritual knowledge he now claims to profess is about the same as anyone would gain from a few years in Sunday School as a child. A worthless book.
October 11, 2015
Kirk Douglas has written a number of autobiographies, at slightly different stages of his life; this one is the best. An incredible story of how he became a man. Not an adult - he was an adult for several decades before, it seems he learned to be a man.
March 31, 2013
I wasn't sure what to expect from this, since celebrities don't always make the best writers, so I went into it with a fairly open mind. Actually, I was probably more biased towards liking it, since Douglas is from the era of Hollywood that I love.
The book is largely about Douglas rediscovering his Jewish roots and reconnecting with that heritage. I sympathized with his "search for meaning," but sometimes felt that he was struggling to appear more insightful than perhaps he actually is.
This is likely because of his impressive ego, which manifests itself throughout the book and can be a little off-putting. Perhaps a man with Douglas's accomplishments has earned the right to be proud of himself. In any case, I can see how this common thread could be obnoxious, especially to those who aren't already fans.
Based on the concept of the book itself, I'd have struggled more with the rating of this book, as it hovered around two stars. But Douglas puts in enough interesting anecdotes to make it entertaining, therefore the solid three star rating.
The book is largely about Douglas rediscovering his Jewish roots and reconnecting with that heritage. I sympathized with his "search for meaning," but sometimes felt that he was struggling to appear more insightful than perhaps he actually is.
This is likely because of his impressive ego, which manifests itself throughout the book and can be a little off-putting. Perhaps a man with Douglas's accomplishments has earned the right to be proud of himself. In any case, I can see how this common thread could be obnoxious, especially to those who aren't already fans.
Based on the concept of the book itself, I'd have struggled more with the rating of this book, as it hovered around two stars. But Douglas puts in enough interesting anecdotes to make it entertaining, therefore the solid three star rating.
August 18, 2017
This is a very interesting and light reading. I enjoyed learning more about Jewish tradition. The autobiography has very personal, warm, and positive feeling to it. I am impressed with courage and fortitude of Mr. Douglas, not only in the face of persisting pain, but in revealing his spiritual life.
I was also thinking about climbing Mount Sinai, but I was sorely disappointed finding out that elevation gain would be about 700 m. On weekly basis I climb Grouse Mountain, which has elevation gain of about 853 m. The views would be different, though :-)
I was also thinking about climbing Mount Sinai, but I was sorely disappointed finding out that elevation gain would be about 700 m. On weekly basis I climb Grouse Mountain, which has elevation gain of about 853 m. The views would be different, though :-)
July 26, 2022
Kira is as talented a writer as he is an actor. He weaves his story with the humor he is known for. He isn't afraid to let people see his soft and scared side, just as much as his rough and tough side as well. Humbling and wonderful.
November 15, 2024
This book really surprised me, I was given it as a charity shop cast off and put it on a shelf and forgot it. Then the other day I had nothing to read I thought I'd have a look.
The man's a legend of course but all I knew about him was that lived to a great age, was a driven and ambitious guy.
The book isn't an autobiography but in part it is because it's about what he learned in his life but found he still had no answers. It documents his journey rediscovering his Jewish roots and learning many lessons from the Tora that had passed him by his whole life. It's a fascinating and inspiring read, yes there's lots of religious references but it doesn't force religion on you. He admits that he's still had no idea if there is a god or that any of the stories he revisits are true but that isn't the point. It's about what he could and did learn about life and its meaning from his studies.
It's full of personal stories and naturally many famous names.
I learned from it for sure but was left puzzled how modern Israel appears to have forgotten so much about humanity considering its history and the foundations of Judaism.
The man's a legend of course but all I knew about him was that lived to a great age, was a driven and ambitious guy.
The book isn't an autobiography but in part it is because it's about what he learned in his life but found he still had no answers. It documents his journey rediscovering his Jewish roots and learning many lessons from the Tora that had passed him by his whole life. It's a fascinating and inspiring read, yes there's lots of religious references but it doesn't force religion on you. He admits that he's still had no idea if there is a god or that any of the stories he revisits are true but that isn't the point. It's about what he could and did learn about life and its meaning from his studies.
It's full of personal stories and naturally many famous names.
I learned from it for sure but was left puzzled how modern Israel appears to have forgotten so much about humanity considering its history and the foundations of Judaism.
January 26, 2026
Naast het acteren in en produceren van filmklassiekers als Paths of glory en Spartacus manifesteerde Kirk Douglas zich vanaf eind jaren tachtig als schrijver. Ging het daarbij in eerste instantie om een autobiografie, The ragman's son getiteld, later volgden romans en boeken voor kinderen.
Het in 1997 verschenen Climbing the mountain schreef de Hollywoodlegende na een helikopterongeluk waarbij twee mensen om het leven kwamen en hijzelf redelijk ongedeerd bleef, én na een hersenbloeding die zijn spraakvermogen ernstig aantastte.
Het boek heeft als ondertitel My search for meaning en gaat voor een belangrijk deel over Douglas' zoektocht naar de zin van het bestaan. Zo kijkt hij onder meer terug op zijn jeugdjaren in het in de staat New York gelegen plaatsje Amsterdam. Daar groeide de in 1916 als Issur Danielovitch geboren zoon van Russisch-joodse immigranten op temidden van zes zussen, een liefdevolle moeder en een vaak afwezige, drankzuchtige vader.
Daarbij kwam nog dat de later zo gevierde acteur vanwege zijn afkomst op verschillende manieren zwaar gepest werd: al snel leerde hij dat het niet tot je voordeel strekt om joods te zijn. Het duurde meer dan zestig jaar voordat Douglas van houding veranderde en zijn zelfbeeld wat dat betreft bijstelde. Zo begon hij zich te interesseren voor het joodse geloof en wierp zich op het bestuderen van de heilige geschriften van dat geloof.
In Climbing the mountain doet Kirk daar uitgebreid verslag van. Hij hanteert daarbij een simpele stijl met korte zinnen waarbij ook veel van de hak op de tak wordt gesprongen en er geregeld goedbedoelde maar weinig tot de verbeelding sprekende tegeltjeswijsheden langskomen. Een en ander afgewisseld met herinneringen aan zijn jaren in de filmwereld waarbij soms veren in achtersten worden gestoken (Burt Lancaster) maar ook hier en daar oude openstaande rekeningen (Stanley Kubrick) vereffend worden.
Dat laatste maakt dat het boek niet alleen voor geïnteresseerden in de joodse religie aardige lectuur oplevert, maar ook voor hen die iets hebben met het Gouden Tijdperk van Hollywood.
Het in 1997 verschenen Climbing the mountain schreef de Hollywoodlegende na een helikopterongeluk waarbij twee mensen om het leven kwamen en hijzelf redelijk ongedeerd bleef, én na een hersenbloeding die zijn spraakvermogen ernstig aantastte.
Het boek heeft als ondertitel My search for meaning en gaat voor een belangrijk deel over Douglas' zoektocht naar de zin van het bestaan. Zo kijkt hij onder meer terug op zijn jeugdjaren in het in de staat New York gelegen plaatsje Amsterdam. Daar groeide de in 1916 als Issur Danielovitch geboren zoon van Russisch-joodse immigranten op temidden van zes zussen, een liefdevolle moeder en een vaak afwezige, drankzuchtige vader.
Daarbij kwam nog dat de later zo gevierde acteur vanwege zijn afkomst op verschillende manieren zwaar gepest werd: al snel leerde hij dat het niet tot je voordeel strekt om joods te zijn. Het duurde meer dan zestig jaar voordat Douglas van houding veranderde en zijn zelfbeeld wat dat betreft bijstelde. Zo begon hij zich te interesseren voor het joodse geloof en wierp zich op het bestuderen van de heilige geschriften van dat geloof.
In Climbing the mountain doet Kirk daar uitgebreid verslag van. Hij hanteert daarbij een simpele stijl met korte zinnen waarbij ook veel van de hak op de tak wordt gesprongen en er geregeld goedbedoelde maar weinig tot de verbeelding sprekende tegeltjeswijsheden langskomen. Een en ander afgewisseld met herinneringen aan zijn jaren in de filmwereld waarbij soms veren in achtersten worden gestoken (Burt Lancaster) maar ook hier en daar oude openstaande rekeningen (Stanley Kubrick) vereffend worden.
Dat laatste maakt dat het boek niet alleen voor geïnteresseerden in de joodse religie aardige lectuur oplevert, maar ook voor hen die iets hebben met het Gouden Tijdperk van Hollywood.
Read
January 15, 2020Kirk Douglas wrote "the Ragman's son" in the mid 1980s. It was a memoir of his life. this book continues to write of his life. He starts this book in the early 1990s when he was in a very serious helicopter crash. He had a bad back injury that took years to get better. In this part of his memoir, he takes a closer look at his life as a Jewish man. He wants to study his religion and the torah and what it is to grow up Jewish and to get in touch with his religion. He also talks about his stroke and trying to recover.
August 24, 2025
This isn't your ordinary Hollywood memoir. This is Kirk Douglas's quest to return to his Jewish roots when he was 74, after a life-changing event (the dramatic beginning of the book). Yes, there are anecdotes about the stars, and yes, some bragging about his own achievements, plus several major health issues, but the focus is his study of the Torah and his commitment to bring its meaning into his life. An admirable goal for an admirable man, who lived to the admirable age of 103!
May 23, 2024
As a Jew, it was nice to have some validation of the experiences I also had, especially as a child. However, the book has a lot of misogynistic and unrelated stories, name dropping, and "poor me" feelings.
August 1, 2017
I like the depth, humorous, and conversational style that Kirk Douglas writes in. This was a good book, but I liked The Ragman's Son, his autobiography, better.
August 3, 2017
Great story about life and living as long as you're alive. We all have something to give to others, but we change in the way we do it depending on health and mental abilities.
December 19, 2024
I enjoyed his book about filming Spartacus, but lost interest here in a hurry. It just read more like he wanted to write a book than that he had something to say.
November 14, 2016
Focusing on his faith and his re-acquaintance with it, I knew what to expect when I started the book. Some of his insights and his questions about his beliefs were well thought out and thought provoking, some of the rest of the book were rehashing of anecdotes from his previous book. Still, the man, while very egocentric, is a great storyteller, and the book was very interesting and entertaining.
July 14, 2012
At least I only paid a dollar for this book. Kirk finds his Jewish self and tells Torah stories but finds no great insight other than he is preachy and has a giant ego. I really hoped for a little more.
October 21, 2015
I learned things about Kirk Douglas that I never knew before. It's also given me ideas for researching my own family history. I've got a Jewish grandmother on my father's side. I need to start researching this part of my family history.
November 30, 2007
Kirk Douglas has a lot to say. There are some interesting views on his beliefs...in ghosts, in wives, in horses. He has lived longer than any man alive.
July 2, 2009
Kirk searches for meaning in his life after a helicopter crash which he survives but two young men die.
August 27, 2013
Non-fiction. He is in a helicopter accident where 2 young men die. He wonders why he lived. Delves deep into his past and his Jewish roots. Becomes a much more patient man.
April 18, 2014
More religious and talk about family than expected. I suspect The Ragman's Son is more the Kirk Douglas autobiography I'm looking for.
July 20, 2015
Pretty good. Kind of a continuation of the Ragman's Son.
February 26, 2016
Autobiography written when Douglas was eighty, focuses mainly on his recognition of his Jewish heritage and the meaning of his religious beliefs in his life.
January 6, 2017
The best book about Theology I have ever read.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews