Sometimes a Great Notion... Isn't, so much.

In this fascinating and humorous memoir, paper-mill worker Jim Andersen enlists three buddies to join him on an adventure of a lifetime in 1974.

To make a name for themselves in the Guinness Book of World Records, the four men hike 143 miles from the highest point in the contiguous United States to the lowest. This means they must trek through treacherous terrain starting at Mt. Whitney in California and ending in Death Valley.

In preparing for the trip, which takes the better part of a year, they make one huge mistake. They do not train for the grueling seven-day expedition. Instead, they focus on gathering supplies and even creating a few contraptions to help make their journey easier.

Jim and the others learn as they go, making plenty of mistakes along the way. Find out if they succeed in the end or fall short of their goal. Ultimately, they gain important life lessons that only a once-in-a-lifetime trip can teach.

Outdoor enthusiasts-and novices-will appreciate this candid account of an incredible journey.