Six months ago Roberto Sanchez was climbing the world's highest mountain.

Now, he can't walk.

The tragic accident on Mount Everest changes everything for Roberto, a loving 48-year-old husband to Monique, and father to Jenny. As a professional mountain climber and motivational speaker, he had reached the summit of many mountains and helped others reach theirs.

Now facing the toughest climb of his life, Roberto is troubled by his own ideals and morals. As his family life tumbles through turbulent events, he is no longer the giver of service but the recipient—a shift that infuses anger and pushes away the people he loves most. 

When Jenny receives her father's private journal—the one he promised as her inheritance, once he was dead—it is a race against time for her to get to him before it's too late.

Inspired by real-life events, this is Roberto's story—a broken man's climb from the furthest depths of human grief to the heights of self awareness and discovery. It is a story that plumbs the very depths of the human psyche, showing the options for triumph or torment in choices and perspectives open to us all.

e-SCRIBES, UK - November 10, 2016

"We find this a skillful, thoughtful and deeply moving novel... and it's an inspiration to anyone who knows someone in this situation, or whose physical life as they knew it has been unexpectedly curtailed. This book is a life lesson from which we will all extract our own, differing, narratives."

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW - Small Press Bookwatch November 2015 Issue

"A deftly crafted novel and an absorbing read from beginning to end, "because" is a compelling and thoroughly entertaining novel that documents author Jack Langedijk's truly exceptional storytelling skills..." - Midwest Book Review

KIRKUS REVIEWS MAGAZINE - August 15, 2015 Issue

"...Langedijk has lots to say about courage, compassion, redemption, and self-worth...  

Meditations on some of life's biggest questions as told through some harrowing experiences."—Kirkus Reviews

"The book has left me with a great impression. It made me feel that everything happens for a reason." - Katarina

"Langedijk explores the depths of human suffering in a realistic, uplifting way. His characters deal with real and relatable issues that affect so many people today, especially the young..." - Michael Head

"I enjoyed reading this book, it had a truly inspirational ending." - Vicky Boackle