May
08

A Review of Back to the Summit by Ruth Hill of the Blog My Devotional Thoughts

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I am humbled by a blog about “Back to the Summit” that has recently come to my attention. Written by a lady named Ruth Hill, it does me great honor, especially coming from a somewhat unexpected source. Ms. Hill writes “as I read all of the wrongs [Rains} suffered quietly throughout his life, I was stunned,” …and I marveled at the fact that he did not let bitterness and hatred … consume him as I have seen…do to those who are closet to me. The way he responded in word and deed tended to put me to shame….He has acted more Christlike than a lot of people who call themselves evangelical Christians-myself unfortunately included….Yes, Senator Rains has indeed won me over. I have decided that the book deserves a 5-star rating, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to my readers.”

http://www.mydevotionalthoughts.com/2012/01/well-spoken-wednesday-back-to-summit-by.html

Her entire review is posted below:

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was not sure what to make of this book once I began reading it.  I was impressed that the senator chose to tell his own story without relying on”ghost writers,” but this was indeed a long, detailed account of a man who lived most of his life during a time with which I was not familiar. It was quite a daunting task.
I was initially drawn to his story because of the brain injury he had incurred and survived.  I was not drawn into his early life that much. And even his political career failed to capture my interest. I could have done without much of the detail, profanity (which proved to be much milder than I first thought), and stories of his exploits. I had planned on giving this book a three- or four-star rating.  I felt this book was written for a generation previous to mine.
However, I began to find myself talking more and more about this book with others.  I got past the halfway point, and I suddenly found myself drawn into the storey.  The stories of his travels, ex-wife troubles, and physical ailments began to engross me.  I had never heard of some of the places he visited.And as I read of all the wrongs he had suffered quietly throughout his life, I was stunned.  I found myself saying that he was a better man than I would have been. And I marveled at the fact that he did not let bitterness and hatred eat him up and consume him as I have seen those horrid
feelings do to those who are closest to me. The way he responded in word and deed tended to put me to shame.  Here he is a religious man who acted more Christlike than a lot of people who call themselves evangelical Christians-myself unfortunately included.
Yes, Senator Rains has indeed won me over. The very fact that he is living, breathing, and living a more active life than the majority of people half his age is a miracle and a tribute to him. i have decided that the book deserves a 5-star rating, and I would whole-heartedly recommend it to the majority of my readers.  There are some “colorful” words in the pages, but I found that any of the language used really was not too offensive in light of the story being told.  It is a true saying that no matter how bad your lot in life may be, there is always someone worse off than you!  If you do not believe me, I challenge you to read this book and see for yourself.

 

 

 

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“Back to the Summit” records the amazing story of Omer Rains, a person who in spite of having to overcome one challenge after another during his lifetime, has left us with a legacy of legislative and humanitarian achievements that few of his generation can match. I got to know Omer particularly well during the 2000 Presidential Campaign when I was the nominee of the Natural Law Party, the Reform Party and, in New York, of the Independence Party. Little did I know then that he would face his greatest challenge of all less than two years later when death stared him in the face. But fighter that he is, once again he rose to the occasion and today continues to leave his mark helping others both here at home and throughout the developing world. We can all learn profound lessons from this book.

Dr. John Hagelin
Internationally Renowned Particle Physicist 3-Time
Candidate for President of the U.S. National Director, Transcendental Meditation Program President,
Global Union of Scientists for Peace Author,
“Manual for a Perfect Government”

I first met Omer Rains on Mount Everest in 1995. At age 55, he was remarkably fit. Seven years later, while seemingly still active and fit, Omer was unexpectedly struck down by a ruptured brain aneurysm and stroke. Only through a series of miracles and intense personal willpower was he able to survive and later recover. I am Nepalese—a Sherpa—and Omer’s inspirational and heroic story of recovery is a moving one both in my native land of Nepal and in other countries where he does untold humanitarian work. Today, Omer retains his ties to Nepal through frequent visitations as Chairman of READ which built the library in which I received my own education, including my ability to read and write in English. He is one of my heroes. This book is a must read for anyone with a loved one who has ever suffered a near death experience.

Kaji Sherpa
Former Holder of World Record Fastest Ascent of Mount Everest

 
Reading “Back to the Summit” causes me to feel good about my own life and my chosen profession of medicine. However, it also tells a story of powers beyond medicine. As the primary treating physician after Omer Rains initially survived a brain aneurysm and stroke, I can attest to the fact that there is no adequate medical explanation for him being alive today and for the remarkable recovery he made. This book should be an inspiration for anyone who has ever suffered, or may in the future suffer, a life threatening challenge.

Dr. David Dozier (ret.)
Chief Treating Neurologist of Omer Rains

 

Omer Rains, Chairman of READ Global, is dedicated to promoting literacy and creating jobs in rural and remote parts of the developing world. It is only because of Omer that in my own village of Ullon, West Bengal, India that we now have the “Oceanic Library.” Indeed, the Oceanic Library is a tribute to a person who survived a near-death experience and is now renown in the developing world for his work to help impoverished villages where few people know how to read or write. He is truly helping to change the world. “Back to the Summit” tells how Omer was inspired to commit his life to such humanitarian efforts. 

Kapilanda Mondal
CEO & Secretary, VSSU (Ullon, India)

 

“Back to the Summit” illustrates how in America one can still overcome great obstacles given enough will power, determination, and tenacity. The way in which Omer Rains overcame a paralyzing near death experience is as inspirational as any story can be.”

John C. Malone Chairman, Liberty Media Chairman, Liberty Global Inc. CEO, Discovery Holding Company Former Pres. & CEO, Tele-Communications Inc. (TCI)

Omer Rains was a law student of mine many, many years back. Little did I know then the life challenges he had already overcome in order to even attend – much less excel – in college. It was a bit ironic when later, as Chancellor of the University of California (Berkeley) and in a classic reversal of roles, I would annually visit Omer in his capacity as a California State Senator on behalf of the University. Omer’s story, told in “Back to the Summit,” is not just the inspirational story of how he survived a near fatal brain aneurysm, but of his humanitarian efforts to help others around the world to acquire literacy and, thus, education. This book truly speaks to a life well led.

Ira Michael Heyman Emeritus Professor of Law, University of California (Berkeley) Former Chancellor, University of California (Berkeley) Former Secretary, Smithsonian Institution (Washington, D.C.)

Omer Rains was one of my prized patients. My specialty is in working with people who have suffered a stroke and/or a brain injury, as was the case with Omer. His book “Back to the Summit” chronicles how someone with sufficient inner-strength, determination and resolve can recover from a paralytic state to the point that today he leads more than a full and complete life, primarily in the service of others. I’m pleased to have been able to play a role in his recovery process. But the person who deserves most of the credit is Omer himself. “Back to the Summit” is an inspiring book about an inspiring person. If you’ve ever been faced with a physical challenge, read this book. It may help you find your own pathway to recovery.

Waleed Al-Oboudi, MOT, OTR/L Internationally acclaimed in field of occupational therapy and rehabilitation Occupational Therapy Professional of the Year Originator of Neuro-Integrative Functional Rehabilitation and Habitation (NEURO-IFRAH)

 
“Back to the Summit” is a riveting read. How Omer Rains came back from a near death experience and dedicated his life to helping others undeniably has a powerful spiritual undertone. Raised in a spiritual setting in the 1940s, it is my belief that Omer’s early religious surroundings played a major role in his amazing recovery. As one of his doctors told him: “The only explanation for the recovery you’ve made is that The Creator is not finished with you yet.” That explanation resonates with me, and perhaps speaks in large measure to the way in which Omer today selflessly helps people in need here at home and in many other parts of the world.

Rev. Ernest Chu Director, The Soul Currency Institute Best Selling Author, “Soul Currency”

The recovery of Omer Rains from a near death experience, and the way in which it was accomplished by drawing on prior life experiences, is an amazing story. One of the very early environmental leaders in the U.S., today Omer takes his message throughout the world. I have had the pleasure of working with READ Global, of which Omer serves as Chairman of the International Board. That Omer can today do the work he does in multiple countries, often in challenging conditions, is a testament to his drive to help those less advantaged than those of us in the developed world. To read “Back to the Summit” is to be truly inspired.

Gunter Pauli Founder, Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives (ZERI) Author of 16 books, including “The Blue Economy”

Omer Rains met my brother, Bill, in the Amazon over 25 years ago, and I have known him almost as long. Every step of Omer’s life has been a testament to his fortitude and to his determination to make a difference. We can all learn much from “Back to the Summit,” a book that tells the story of a man who thinks, breathes and lives life to the fullest. As an actor, writer and producer, I can attest that even here in Hollywood, the entertainment capital of the world, it would be difficult to write a more inspiring script.

Deborah Raffin Actress; Director; Publicist