I feel privileged to have been able to share the story of Alex Honnold and Mark Synott's amazing feats.
I have no interest in climbing, or indeed any extreme sports however this story is beautifully written with such poetic detail, enthusiasm and admiration that the reader cannot fail to be interested in Alex's life and his incredible achievements.
Alex and Mark were both hyperactive children, possibly autistic and socially inadequate as teenagers, but rock climbing in the most difficult places in the world has produced two environmentally conscientious and socially responsible individuals. The history of rock climbing and the different views about climbing with aids or without from purism to professionally sponsored and filmed climbs was told in an interesting and unbiased way, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions. Although Alex was heavily sponsored in order to afford the high costs of living his dream, he has set up a charity to provide solar energy to remote third world communities and the money doesn't appear to have changed this somewhat unusual character.
I much preferred reading about his climbs in manageable chunks rather than watching them from behind a pillow onscreen.
I have no interest in climbing, or indeed any extreme sports however this story is beautifully written with such poetic detail, enthusiasm and admiration that the reader cannot fail to be interested in Alex's life and his incredible achievements.
Alex and Mark were both hyperactive children, possibly autistic and socially inadequate as teenagers, but rock climbing in the most difficult places in the world has produced two environmentally conscientious and socially responsible individuals. The history of rock climbing and the different views about climbing with aids or without from purism to professionally sponsored and filmed climbs was told in an interesting and unbiased way, leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions. Although Alex was heavily sponsored in order to afford the high costs of living his dream, he has set up a charity to provide solar energy to remote third world communities and the money doesn't appear to have changed this somewhat unusual character.
I much preferred reading about his climbs in manageable chunks rather than watching them from behind a pillow onscreen.