Alex Honnold's book

I got a copy of "Alone On The Wall" by Alex Honnold and David Roberts a few weeks ago and just finished it. Just wondering what others think about the book....

mountainproject.com/v/alex-…

I liked it. I like getting insight into the lives of people that are "outstanding", and hearing a lot of the little background information to some of his great climbs was cool too. It seems a lot of people bag on him for not being an eloquent writer but I actually really enjoyed his straightforward style. I sometimes struggle to work through articles and books that put so much metaphor, meaning, and philosophical importance into a climb. If you want to learn more about a great climber, read this book. If you want lofty, spiritual fluff try something else.

I thought it was a decent read, but certainly not a work of art. I think I finished it in 2 or 3 days. That said, I really enjoyed learning more about some of Alex's most famous ascents. There were many details that I was completely unaware of, and it was fun to get a little more context.

I also liked learning a little bit more about Alex as a person and sort of getting a window into his personality, which doesn't always come through in his interviews.

Finn the Human wrote:I thought it was a decent read, but certainly not a work of art. I think I finished it in 2 or 3 days. That said, I really enjoyed learning more about some of Alex's most famous ascents. There were many details that I was completely unaware of, and it was fun to get a little more context. I also liked learning a little bit more about Alex as a person and sort of getting a window into his personality, which doesn't always come through in his interviews.

Yeah, that was kind of how I felt about it. It was fairly interesting but overall, kind of uneventful (not sure what I expected).

The sections by David Roberts were much better written (for obvious reasons) but I found Alex's writing ok. He does sometimes seem a little too impressed with himself but I took that as honesty rather than arrogance, given his enormous talents.

Won't go down as one of my favorite climbing books but I still liked it and read the entire book in a weekend. There are some climbing books I found myself unable to muddle through and a few that I have read several times. Don't think I will read this one a 2nd time but still enjoyed it.

what are some climbing books that you would recommend?

Yeitti wrote:what are some climbing books that you would recommend?

Big fan of David Roberts- "Mountain of My Fear", "Momemts of Doubt", "On the Ridge Between Life and Death", "Escape Routes", et al

Also, by various writers: "Into Thin Air". "Eiger Dreams", "Touching the Void", "The White Spider", "Minus 148 Degrees", "The High Lonesome"

I'd recomend Honnold's book too- pleasant, light, interesting but not a classic

thank you for advice. Is "Over the Edge" any good?

Yeitti wrote:thank you for advice. Is "Over the Edge" any good?

Haven't read that one but my son did and said it was "Pretty good"

"Thin Air" and "Mixed Emotions" by Greg Child were good reads

Can't do "Into Thin Air" without also reading "The Climb" IMO.

Any actual rock climbing book recommendation? I mean, mountaineering books are cool & all, but so are war stories.

reboot wrote:Any actual rock climbing book recommendation? I mean, mountaineering books are cool & all, but so are war stories.

Moffat's autobiography is well worth reading. Can't recall the title right now.

a pretty quick read with some interesting sections that provided a little more insight than what i had learned through the media/word of mouth. there were a few sections that rubbed me the wrong way, maybe i just read to much into them. the sections i'm referring to are the ones where he calls out others for how they commented on him or a trip he was on, sorta rips them, then immediately after says 'but no hard feelings'. if there are not hard feelings, why even mention/correct it? felt a but whiny to me.

"Rock Jocks, Wall Rats and Hang Dogs", "Camp 4", "Downward Bound", "50 Classic Climbs of North America". "Yosemite in the 60's"

reboot wrote:Any actual rock climbing book recommendation? I mean, mountaineering books are cool & all, but so are war stories.

"Kiss or Kill", "The Stone Masters-CA Rock Climbers in the 70's", "Climbing Free", "Close Calls", "Burgess Book of Lies"

reboot wrote:Any actual rock climbing book recommendation? I mean, mountaineering books are cool & all, but so are war stories.

Lynn Hill's book "Climbing Free" is really enjoyable.

Was given it for xmas. You could read just the second paragraph and it pretty much sums it up.

The best of the "Ascent" series compilations (from the 60's through the 80's-Steve Roper/ Allen Steck) are pretty freaking cool if you can find them. "High Infatuation" by Steph Davis is a decent read.

Would second "Thin Air" by Greg Child-quite well written and anything by Joe Simpson.

I found the "Trad Climbers Bible" to be fairly engrossing as well

The Royal Robbins memoirs are very enjoyable. I have read To Be Brave, and Fail Falling. I have ordered the 3rd part The Golden Age but haven't seen it yet.

If you're into alpinism certainly read "Starlight and Storm" and "Beyond the Mountain"
I thought both were excellent