So beautiful to look at, the photography is stunning. I also found this very calming to read especially durung these times. It took me to a very peaceful place and enabled me to calm my very stressed mind.

I'm a big fan of Eric Stensland's photography and follow his work on Facebook. This is a gorgeous book. All the photography contained is beautiful and alone worth it to purchase the book.
I liked the format of having pictures and then a reflective essay of sorts. Hiking and being in nature naturally gives rise to philosophical thinking. I only give it 4 stars because I couldn't connect with all of the messages.

Breathtaking, beautiful photographs which have a calming feel. With some beautiful words to read alongside. It’s a Book that you can return to time after time, and dip in and out of. Whether you have a spare 5 minutes or an hour to sit and indulge looking at the photographs. It’s a beautiful book. Thank you to net galley and the publisher for a copy.

This book is breathtaking! The pictures are awe-inspiring and you just need to sit and view them. Reading this book is a very mindful exercise. The book has been created by a master craftsman at the top of their profession. Thank you.

Beautiful photography with short writings meant to uplift, inspire or provide other meaning to readers.

Erik Stensland has given readers a book filled with his amazing photographs of nature around the globe combined with his introspective contemplation of the divisiveness of our times. The pictures stress the beauty of our world even as his gentle words urge us to remember that we as people are indeed more alike than different, and that we must each be ready to take action to heal our hurting yet beautiful world.

Well done!!!

My sincere thanks NetGalley and Rocky Trail Press for permitting me to read a review copy of this book. All opinions express in this review are my own and and freely given.

This was a most interesting and fascinating book. And the fabulous photographs add even more to it. Mr. Stensland's essays on life were most interesting and contemplative. Some I read more than once. What makes them even more interesting is they are given from a first hand account as the author sees it and has experienced it. In doing so you can most relate to it as you think that it is the way I see it and have experienced it. He also gives his views on life itself and the world, the current situation and how other people see it. But we have a choice as to how we perceive and accept it. By making the right choices and perceptions we can not only help ourselves but those around us in making the world an even better place. I highly recommend this book.

This book had some absolutely stunning nature photography. I would love to have some of these as prints hanging on my walls at home because they were captivating.

This book also takes the reader through a journey of self-reflection and encourages you to think deeper about your views of society and nature. I felt the reflections were paired beautifully with the photographs. I really enjoyed the few reflective poems that were in this book and wish there had been more.

The Journey Beyond is a very soft, soft book.

I’m not gonna lie, I asked for it because the Art & Photography category on Netgalley is my Happy Place™ and the cover looked amazing. The excerpt clarified it was an introspective, self-help kind of book, and that sealed the deal.

You see, these days I’m trying to read out of my comfort zone – new experiences, new stories, new abstract places to travel to with my mind – and I have to say that this experiment is sparking joy.

…Yes, I’m a walking meme. Move along.

Cover: wow. I mean, look at it. What’s your first reaction? Yeah, same.

Yay!

- Photos, photos everywhere (semicit.) and they are so crisp they feel alive on my Kindle. I’m waxing poetic here, but they are stunning, landscapes and details alike. Erik, I’m in awe of your skills.

- The main theme is nature, the backdrop is (for the most part) the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, but there are various pictures taken elsewhere in the world. Iceland, Italian Dolomites, Scotland, Croatia – they all merge in a beautiful way. I checked the actual locations after I was done reading, that’s how I know; without it, I could have sworn they all came from the same park. The word ‘seamless’ was invented for TJB.

- I’m not big on inspirational quotes or stories. Most of the time they leave me with an ‘…and?’ feeling, which is counterproductive and not what the author meant to inspire while writing them, I’m sure. The same thing happened with many TJB’s quotes (sorry!), but some of them did 1) give me pause and 2) stay with me.

Special mention (it’s description time, since the app doesn’t let me see the pages):

- A montain/lake combo, paired with a stormy sky, snow of top ❤
- Aspen trees. Such a graceful tree, the aspen, I love it.
- The red and white lighthouse, all its windows open.
- A ponderosa pine!
- A small church sitting on a green field, guarded by mountains (the Dolomites, if I’m not mistaken)
- A blue bicycle chained next to a blue door.
- Baby blue flowers growing on a rock.

Nay!

- One flaw – the only flaw I found, to be honest – is the fact that sometimes it feels too Americacentric to really be understood by people who aren’t up to date with American news. My mom loves photography, say, but if I were to gift her TJB, some of the written parts would be lost to her without someone giving her context. All in all though, it’s a minor thing.

TL;DR

5 stars on GR, 9,5 here. Great job, Erik!

The nature photography is beautiful. The text isn't something you read through in a one sitting. It's best as a book to read just an entry or two to reflect upon.

I’m not into soul searching, self growth, or whatever it’s called these days so I’m going to refrain from commenting on the text in this book. Suffice to say it doesn’t resonate with me. The photography is excellent, however. There are some truly beautiful images in this book and I’m glad I requested a review copy for that reason alone.

This book is beautifully presented with stunning photographs of our world l. There’s almost 200 pages to feast your eyes on and quench your thirst for beautifully written pieces to accompany the photographs. A definite coffee table book which I enjoyed browsing through.

The Journey Beyond is a book showcasing breath taking photograph captured by the author paired with inspirational poems and short paragraphs. The topics covered within the boom perfectly match the corresponding photographs and engage the reader to consider various topics that they could be facing or struggling with at that particular moment. The saying “food for thought” is highly appropriate for this novel. This book is perfectly timed given the current climate and I recommend it to everyone, but in particular those interested in helping their mental health or those interested in the natural world.

Sit. Take a deep breath in, then out and just be. Allow the stunning photography and poignant reflections to help usher you into a mindful, peaceful place. Take them one day at a time and allow the beauty to captivate and restore your frenetic soul. When I first picked up this book, I was drawn to the photography, then I realized I had been to many of the places captured. I poured over the sheer beauty of my home being captured so aptly, then I allowed myself a reread to absorb the simple call to peace. I highly recommend this beautiful work of art. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.

An absolutely stunning photography book filled with insightful musings & poetry from the author. The Journey Beyond takes its readers on a journey of self-reflection & encourages a deeper way of viewing society & nature. The photography is breathtaking & provides stunning views of various locations across the United States & Europe.

"The path to wholeness always begins with an honest look within" ~Erik Stensland

I received an Advanced Readers Copy of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions included herein are my own.

A wonderful book that deserves a place on your coffee table.

Beautiful pictures and thoughtful prose work together to inspire and bring contentment,acceptance and feelings of joy and awe.

Would make a fantastic gift - but why not treat yourself to one as well?

A gorgeous book on enjoying the natural world during turmoil. This is a perfect boom to escape to currently. Photography is beautiful along with the sentiments. I highly recommend this book.