“In the predawn hours of July 10, 2014, the son of legendary Alaskan explorer Roman Dial walked alone into the untracked rainforest of Costa Rica’s remote Pacific Coast. ‘I’m planning on doing 4 days in the jungle,’ he wrote his father before leaving, ‘it should be difficult to get lost forever.’

Then he vanished . . .”

This would be the last communication from Roman Dial’s son.

Prior to the news of Roman Dial’s son, Cody, I knew of Roman Dial. His adventure races such as the Alaskan Wilderness Classic, an unsupported Arctic 1000km backpacking trip, pack-rafting trips, mountain climbing, epic skiing trips and more. Dial’s outdoor resume is quite impressive.

But he isn’t an “adrenaline junkie.”

Dial spends the majority of each year as a professor of biology and mathematics at Alaska Pacific University. He has four degrees — two in mathematics (B.S., M.S.) and two in biology (B.S., Ph.D). He has published many peer-reviewed scientific papers. I discovered this part of Roman Dial’s life when I read his book.

I also knew nothing about his personal life. His wife Peggy, daughter Jazz, and son Cody Roman Dial. The Adventurer’s Son, introduces the reader to this close-knit family.

What hit me, when the news of Cody’s disappearance was reported, is that Cody and my son were both born in 1987 less than a month apart. I just couldn’t wrap my head around what the Dial family must have been going through when they found out that Cody had disappeared.

When Roman realized his 27 year old son’s return date had passed, Roman set off for Costa Rica. Over a two year period he would make many trips to the jungle eventually covering hundreds of square miles of remote trail-less wilderness. As one can image, it would be difficult indeed for a college professor to fund these searches.

Disclosure

I have never met or communicated with Dial. When he set up a GoFundMe page to help finance the search, I donated. As a thank you, in 2020, Dial sent me a copy of his book; about four years after Cody’s disappearance and two years after his body was finally recovered. I mention this only because I did not buy the book. I am under no obligation to review it.

First Read

A good book needs to be read two or even three times to dig into the subject matter. The Adventurer’s Son is such a book. The first read reveals the facts of the story. A second reading allows the reader to delve between the lines, to find the soul of the book; the deeper meanings; universals; wisdom. I quickly saw that this book would require a second reading.

I knew that I would need to spend time digesting the narrative, to reflect on parenting, and then let all of this simmer. That simmering ended up taking four years to contemplate all that Dial shares and struggles with.

Dial is a master story teller. Although both autobiographical and biographical, he paints a picture of places he and the family descend into. Descending is not visiting, but is immersing oneself into nature.

Alaska is their home base. The “world is their oyster.” Summers were often spent in remote wilderness areas all over the planet as Roman engages in scientific research and the family is there with him, participating. Cody and his sister Jazz do things at a young age that most folks, as adults who spend considerable time in wilderness, only dream of doing.

The book is an engaging memoir that takes the reader on an emotional and thrilling journey into the heart of the Alaskan wilderness where the author, his wife, and their children live. It is also a moving exploration of Dial’s quest to find his son.

Dial skillfully weaves together personal anecdotes, reflections, and an absorbing narrative of the search for his son. The writing is moving, immersing readers in the beauty and danger of the wild landscapes the Dials explored together. Roman Dial’s love for adventure and the outdoors is touching throughout the book, creating a moving setting for the search that unfolds.

As a master story teller, throughout the book one can visualize the wild areas as Dial paints a picture of colors, sounds, smells, and the experience. Even when trudging through the dangerous jungles of Costa Rica searching for his son, he communicates the beauty and majesty of the environments he is trekking through.

The book also delves into the complexities of the father-son relationship and the conflicting emotions that arise when a parent is faced with the possibility of losing a child.

It also touches the mental anguish of losing a loved one, child rearing and parental responsibility. It addresses consequences of actions. There was more to comprehend. I decided that not only would I read it a second time, but I would wait. Let some time pass. Reflect upon many things.

Second Read

When we read a book, we often dissect the characters in the story, whether they be fictional or actual. We judge them. A great book should cause us to think about our own character. To dissect who we are, and to judge ourselves. The Adventurer’s Son is such a book.

It is obvious that Dial struggles with guilt for introducing his son to wilderness and adventure. He directly tells us the primary job of parenting is to protect your children; not put them at risk. This is his struggle, and writing the book is part of coming to grips with what he has done as a parent — that is — has he been a good parent? Is he responsible for Cody’s death?

The book is a portrayal of the impact of adventure, and an examination of the bonds that hold a family together. Both Roman and Cody don’t avoid challenges and risks that accompany a life of exploration and adventure, which makes this memoir a worthwhile examination of the choices we make as we pursue our passions.

This hit home with me, as I had also introduced and encouraged my own son to taste and participate in the outdoor activities I have enjoyed for most of my life. To be clear: the adventures of Roman and his son far surpass anything I have done. But parenting is parenting. Same principles. What should a good parent do as they raise their children?

To me, child rearing is about teaching them to understand the world they live in. To explore the world. To learn of the world. In contrast, today child rearing seems to be about protecting them from the world; supervised activities; “play dates;” and even to imprison them inside the house and classroom to avoid any possible danger that lurks outside. Roman and his wife took the former path; explore, learn, understand.

Did Roman fail as a parent and not protect his son? This is the question that is a thread woven into the fabric of the book. Roman tells us he had to face these questions as he searched the jungles of Costa Rica looking for his son:

Was I responsible?

Would I have raised him differently?

Had I paid enough attention?

Had I been too selfish?

As Dial contemplates his son’s fate, his own actions and influences as a parent, his own self doubts, and reflections of his son’s life, he shares that the words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson always came to mind:

I hold it true, whate’er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
‘Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.

This book is highly recommended.

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