Memoirs From the Edge: Exploring the Line Between Life and Death - Hardcover

Corliss, Jeb

 
9781955690232: Memoirs From the Edge: Exploring the Line Between Life and Death

Inhaltsangabe

"Memoirs From The Edge" by Jeb Corliss is a gripping autobiography that takes readers on a thrilling journey into the heart of extreme sports and the mind of one of its most iconic figures.

Jeb Corliss, renowned as one of the top BASE jumpers and wingsuit pilots, delves into the madness and darkness that define his extraordinary life. This odyssey unfolds as Corliss repeatedly breaks and rebuilds himself through the crucible of pain and daring, sharing tales that offer profound insights into the human psyche. The tales he brings back offer insight into the darkness that exists within the mind as well as his own unique way of coping. Many grapple with mental illness in one way or another, and Corliss gives a glaringly honest view of his struggle while traversing the world's most dangerous sports.

The autobiography delves into Corliss's early years, from childhood to adolescence, exploring his entry into the world of extreme sports through skydiving, which served as a gateway to his true passion, BASE jumping. The narrative unfolds with vivid descriptions of some of his most prolific jumps, each chapter marked by a unique location or structure that becomes a canvas for Corliss's fearless exploration.

As the memoir progresses, Corliss reflects on the profound impact of his encounters, including meeting the legendary Shane McConkey, the magical experiences with Iiro the Magician, and the awe-inspiring jumps in locations like South Africa, the Cave of Swallows, and even the iconic Eiffel Tower. Amid the breathtaking tales of adventure, the author also addresses the challenging aspects of his personal journey, providing an honest portrayal of his struggle with mental illness.

"Memoirs From The Edge" is more than a recounting of death-defying stunts; it's a raw and introspective narrative that invites readers into the mind of a thrill-seeker who pushes the boundaries of human capability. Corliss's memoir serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit, the pursuit of passion, and the complex relationship between risk and reward in the world of extreme sports.

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Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

JEB CORLISS has dedicated his life to human flight. He is a professional skydiver and BASE jumper, also known for his wingsuit piloting and shark diving. Corliss has made more than 2,000 jumps from locations such as the Eiffel Tower, Golden Gate Bridge, Angel Falls in Venezuela, the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and a half-mile deep cave in China. He also hosted the first season of Stunt Junkies on The Discovery Channel and was a technical advisor on the remake of Point Break. When he is not traveling the world, Corliss lives in Vista, California with his fiance and dog.

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To put this into perspective for you, imagine someone was pointing a gun at you and told you they were going to kill you. You had two choices. They could shoot you in the head, ending it quickly, or they could shoot you in the gut and watch you die slowly. Either way, you’re going to die. 

This was not an easy decision to make.

In that moment, the part of my mind that had been doing all the important calculations in the background started screaming at me. It shouted, “This is the time to decide! You open now or you die—NOW!” I decided the only thing that mattered was time. If I could get ten more seconds out of this life, I wanted it…even if those moments were nothing but suffering. You see, time (and therefore life) equals infinite possibilities. Death equals the end of all possibilities.

My decision was made.

I deployed my parachute and it opened with heavy line twists. I had a 1.5-second canopy ride before impacting the side of the mountain at high speed right next to a hiking trail. I was able to get my legs out in front of me to take the brunt of the impact, protecting my spine, but they had already suffered so much damage that this only shattered them further.

I quickly regretted my decision to pull. Pain was all I could feel; not regular, everyday pain, but mind-crushing agony. There was no room for anything else. I lay there with my eyes closed, just trying to take my next breath. That was all I could do. With each breath, a new shudder of suffering pulsed through my body. Distantly, I felt the sun beating down on me and realized it felt like I was being cooked alive. My mind was shrieking in torment, but I remained silent. I couldn’t even build the strength to cry; I was completely broken, cracked to my core. 

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