Alone on the Wall

By: Alex Honnold, David Roberts

Narrated by: Andrew Eiden, Will Damron

Only a few years ago, Alex Honnold was little known beyond a small circle of hardcore climbers. Today, at the age of 30, he is probably the most famous adventure athlete in the world. In that short time, he has proven his expertise in many styles of climbing and has shattered speed records, pioneered routes, and won awards within each discipline. More spectacularly still, he has pushed the most extreme and dangerous form of climbing far beyond the limits of what anyone thought was possible.

Free soloing, Honnold's specialty, is a type of climbing performed without a rope, a partner, or hardware - such as pitons, nuts, or cams - for aid or protection. The results of climbing this way are breathtaking, but the stakes are ultimate: If you fall, you die.

In Alone on the Wall, Honnold recounts the seven most astonishing climbing achievements so far in his still-evolving career. He narrates the drama of each climb along with reflective passages that illuminate the inner workings of his highly perceptive and discerning mind. We share in the jitters and excitements he feels waking in his van (where he lives full time) before a climb; we see him self-criticize in his climbing journal (a veritable Bible for students of the sport); and we learn his secrets to managing fear. Veteran climber and award-winning author David Roberts writes part of each chapter in his own voice, and he calls on other climbers and the sport's storied past to put Alex's tremendous accomplishments in perspective.

Whenever Honnold speaks in public, he is asked the same two questions: "Aren't you afraid you're going to die?" and "why do you do this?" Alone on the Wall takes us around the world and through the highs and lows in the life of a climbing superstar to answer those fascinating questions.

©2016 Alex Honnold and David Roberts (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great book, lacking performance

The guys reading the book are not familiar with climbing. Numerous areas are mispronounced as well ratings for climbs. 5.11 would be pronounced five-eleven not five-one-one, and at one point they referred to it as the Down wall instead of the Dawn wall. Interesting book, provides a glimpse at the mind of Alex.

Great book, poor performance

Very odd performance - the reader mispronounces common names and words, such as Tuolomne, Salathe, and "5.11"

Like starting a solo climb, I was not able to stop

until I got to the finish. This is a powerful account of Alex's life in climbing. I would recommend this to anyone, climber or not. I will probably listen through a few more times myself.

Honnald is fascinating

This book outlines a number of mind boggling achievements in good detail, but more than that, it gives us a glimpse into the mind of an extraordinary athlete. The only distraction for me was both of the readers unfamiliarity with climbing lingo. As a climber myself, hearing somebody read 5.12b as "five point one two B" made my eye twitch. That being said, if you are a climber, the story is worth the many mispronunciations. And despite the sometimes controversial soloing Alex is best known for, this chronicle reaches beyond that aspect and brings us into the life of an inspirational adventurer.

Alone on the wall

Amazing book and it was my first audio book, Alex is one of the greatest ever !!