I found this book at an AAUW booksale. I read a lot of memoirs and this one did not disappoint me. Stephen Alter's boyhood as the son of missionaries in northern India is an engrossing and gripping read. It was interesting to hear his views about growing up in the same mountain areas where the British officers of the Raj summered to escape the heat of the plains. Made me remember Paul Scott's wonderful novel, STAYING ON, which led me in turn to his marvelous Raj Quartet, which I still haven't finished reading, but hope to one day. Although it was difficult for me to relate to Alter's experiences around Mussoorie, he provided enough information, and in such an engaging way, that I almost felt I was there. And his interludes spent on leave in the U.S.A. with his family were also very well represented. I enjoyed this book enough that I am now reading another Alter book, Elephas Maximus. I will highly recommend All the Way to Heaven to anyone with an interest in India and in good writing. ( )