Surprisingly Slow Read

What could have been an exhilarating journey, was a surprisingly bum read with way too much filler. This could be a fun read at three chapters long. Disappointing.

A damn boring read.

4 people found this helpful

Boring, ended up disliking Alex Honnold

I'd you are a climber and can really truly appreciate technical climbing language then you may be able to hang on and finish book just to read about Alex's climbing feats. If you are a just a reader of outdoor non- fiction who loves to learn about other adventure sports and exciting outdoor stories, don't waste your time. There are a lot of stories that may be exciting If you are a climber, but the writer fails to make them seem so or even make me care what will happen to the individuals in the experience. I ended up not finishing and skipping around since overall, I ended up with an actual dislike for Alex, the main subject. Found him selfish and inhuman most of the time, at least from the perspective of the book. Although to be fair, people who are " genius" in their own field often come off that way whether or not they are. Overall boring and uninspiring to a non rock climber.

3 people found this helpful

Meh

The narrator for 'Alex' is incredibly obnoxious and doesn't seem to understand his personality at all. I gave up because of that. While Alex might not be for everyone, in this book, he comes off as a self-entitled a#*$ole, rather than a person who really has no filter. For climbers who have been paying attention, there is also very little new information, so far as I have read, which you wouldn't already know.

2 people found this helpful

blah

would be more interesting if he didn't include his opinions. carbon foot print blah blah blah...

1 person found this helpful

filling in these details completes the experience

As an ex boundary pushing alternative athlete from the seventies I'm able to vicariously understand how badass this achievement truly is.. Alex, you DA MAN EXPONENTIALLY. As your peer group already exist at such a high level, your evolution is in another stratosphere.

1 person found this helpful

Last few chapters were great

I enjoyed this book, but it was a little confusing with different narrators. I saw the movie Free Solo and this book doesn't bring anything new although it gave a more in depth view of the mind of Alex. All in all a nice book.

1 person found this helpful

Easily surpassed my low expectations

Before reading this book I saw Alex Honnold as somewhat of a pretentious blowhard that tries to act nonchalant.
My expectations were low, and I was actually pleasantly surprised. Pretty insightful book, with some interesting first person accounts.
I did internally roll my eyes when the topic moved to climate change, but I at least appreciate him not having double standards.
When you’re as talented as Alex, and have the ability to inspire the human race, you put up with the cost of documenting your stories.
I still don’t see Alex as incredibly genuine, but did enjoy his story, and the majority of his writing.
What a mentally and physically special individual who had pushed rockclimbing and the idea of what is possible to new heights.

Free Solo

Struggled to finish. I thought it would be more relatable to the average Joe. I do admire his courage and athletic abilities.

Beautiful and keeps me on edge and really great al

Beautiful and keeps me on edge and really great always fun and makes me love climbing more.

worth a listen

Pretty fascinating guy. I've listened to this book 5 times since I purchased it and it still hasn't lost its luster. Honnold is a very unique person and it's still hard to comprehend how he can do what he does. worth a listen for sure.