"A vivid and compelling book." (Time magazine)
Erik Weihenmayer was born with retinoscheses, a degenerative eye disorder that would... read full description
Erik Weihenmayer was born with retinoscheses, a degenerative eye disorder that would... read full description
reviews
Nov 08, 2008
Kristopher
rated it: 
This was a decent read that had me laughing at times. Thanks to his very graceful acceptance of his condition, he tells the story in a way that doesn't draw attention to his disability in the expected sense. He continually places it in a reducible context...which is very odd, considering that most people probably purchase the book because they don't anticipate the normalcy that he seeks. He himself admitted, offhandedly, that blind people can be as shallow as anyone else about dating (142-143)!
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Feb 14, 2009
Diane
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When I finished this book, I felt recharged and renewed, because this book is not about blindness or limitations. Triumph, yes. Hard preparation, determination, pain, sacrifice and joy - yes. Erik's descriptions of his youth, his mother's focus on keeping him in the educational mainstream, his father's zeal for creating adventures and his own personal and physical progress make good reading. But the climbing sequences - gripping. I could feel the rock beneath my hands on the technical climb up
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Jan 20, 2010
James
rated it: 
Touch the top of the world : a blind man's journey to climb farther than the eye can see by Weihenmayer, Erik (bio/hist/adventure) 08 -
796.522 WEI
Written before he climbed Everest. Tells of his early life, loss of sight (detached retinas, then gloucoma), parental support and treatment as though anything was possible, the fight by his mother to even get him into public school, his athleticism, his desire to be normal, seemingly impossible excursions to Machu Pichu, Borneo??, K More...
796.522 WEI
Written before he climbed Everest. Tells of his early life, loss of sight (detached retinas, then gloucoma), parental support and treatment as though anything was possible, the fight by his mother to even get him into public school, his athleticism, his desire to be normal, seemingly impossible excursions to Machu Pichu, Borneo??, K More...
Mar 26, 2009
Nicolas
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jul 17, 2008
Caroline
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This is the incredible story of Erik Weihenmayer, a guy from my hometown who is the first and only blind person to reach the summit of all 7 continents' highest peaks. Erik went blind at the beginning of sophomore year of high school after battling glaucoma. I worked for his mother at their home, making necklaces in her "sweatshop labor" front room from beautiful asian beads and woods. Two weeks before Erik lost his sight completely, his parents began the process of getting divorced, h
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Sep 06, 2011
Chelsea
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I LOVED this book! It's truly inspiring that this man was able to climb the toughest mountains in the world, including Everest, and also just happens to be blind. It's so heart breaking that he didn't become blind until he was 13 years old too and had to basically relearn how to live and function. He described it as dying.
Anyways it's a really inspirational book about how people can push their own limits and live truly incredible lives. I highly recommend it!
Anyways it's a really inspirational book about how people can push their own limits and live truly incredible lives. I highly recommend it!
Apr 30, 2010
Tif
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Mike heard him speak at a conference a few weeks ago and was very impressed. So I went out the next day to get his book.
Totally inspiring! Makes me wonder if I ever really do anything really difficult in my life? I feel like I need to climb a mountain or run a marathon or something.
I hope he writes more about the climbs he did after this book. I want to read about Everest!
Totally inspiring! Makes me wonder if I ever really do anything really difficult in my life? I feel like I need to climb a mountain or run a marathon or something.
I hope he writes more about the climbs he did after this book. I want to read about Everest!
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Jan 07, 2009
Cheryl
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I think this is one of the most inspiring books. It is the one to read when you feel down about yourself or feel like your life is hard. Take some time to read about a guy who wasn't born blind but became so in his youth and chose to not let it beat him.
He has done so much that people with two good eyes will never do.
He has done so much that people with two good eyes will never do.
Jan 03, 2009
I really liked the style of this book. It was very entertaining even after you think of the accomplishments that this guy has managed. he feets are remarkable for any person let alone someone who is blind, but manages to see the world better than most people ever will.
Apr 24, 2009
Patricia
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Incredible, inspiring autobiography. Shows the power of the indomitable human spirit and changes the common perception of blindness as a handicap. Some parts seemed tedious with detail, but in the end reader can appreciate exactly why the book was written as it was.
Mar 24, 2009
Grace
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The best part of this book was how he described his coming to terms with going blind. He was angry. He was a jerk. I found it very realistic and it made him very human, especially since I have a disabled sister and know that disabled doesn't equal perfect.
Jul 29, 2011
Inspiring book about a man who doesn't let his blindness dictate what he can accomplish in life. I can't say I fully understand Erik's passion for mountain climbing, particularly given that he can't visually appreciate the experience, but definitely respect his unwillingness to let being blind define him.
Jan 21, 2009
Anika
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Very interesting and very inspiring. I'm not usually one for adventure books, but this was a good one. It was the closest I'll ever come to experiencing climbing a huge, icy mountain, and I definitely enjoyed imagining being up there with Erik Weihenmayer. Though I was grateful that I was actually on my comfy couch while imagining all that icy cold.
Mar 10, 2009
Zach
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autobiography. ehh kinda boring. It is really kool how a guy who lost his eye sight at a young age ended up climbing huge mountains but it seemed like a lot of the same.
Jan 23, 2009
Fabio
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This guy is blind and has climbed every mountain on earth. I cant even fit in my pants. This book really helps you realize how lazy you are. which is why I burned it and ate some ice cream.
Jan 23, 2012
Jana
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This book was much better than I was expecting. I ended up spending way too much time reading this weekend, rather than getting things done. Oh, well. (:
Jun 20, 2011
Cindy
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Not my favorite memoir, but still has interesting explorations of the cultural divide between the seeing and blind (and the partially blind).
Sep 07, 2011
Kristen
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I started reading this for research but I was blown away by the human element. This book is for everyone. It's an adventure of the heart.
Jun 26, 2008
Rebecca
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I saw the author speak at a conference and was inspired by his story, as well as his humor and outlook. The book covers his early years when he lost his eyesight, as well as how he adapted. But the lure for me was learning how he manages rock and mountain climbing, from El Cap to Everest. Being autobiographical, it's plainly straightforward and technical at times with descriptions, but I felt more along for the ride than with many other books with climbing tales. Greatest takeaways include the
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Mar 01, 2009
John
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Heard a lecture from this author and couldn't wait to read the book. Amazing what a person can do.
Jan 10, 2011
Macky
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don't think I'll ever climb everest but reading the book makes me think wtf am I gonna do
Apr 16, 2009
Marci
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This book is about a blind man who climbs mount everest, but he is a good story teller of the events that lead up to that point in his life. Only problem is some of his stories are less than G rated.
Jan 09, 2012
Beth
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what an inspirational story! erik has such courage and hope, very good read
Apr 07, 2010
Philippa
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This story was very inspirational and compelling. I was touched by this quote about his leadership. "Leading was the ability to move forward through darkness toward those immense possibilities, unseen yet sensed, while others allowed the darkness to paralyze them."
