To the Top: Climbing for America's 50 State Summits

by Joe Glickman

Seeking to climb to the geographic highpoints of all 50 U.S. states has been a recognized passion of a select few adventurous souls since 1986, when some of these folks discovered one another and began calling themselves the High Pointers Club. But a completed 50-state quest has never before been documented in book form. To the Top, a new book by adventurer Joe Glickman and his friend, renowned outdoor photographer Nels Akerlund, is an engaging, lighthearted account of two close friends accomplishing this new American odyssey.

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book for people who are highpointers (seek to climb the highest points of each of the 50 US states) or are curious about becoming highpointers. Unlike most books about highpointing, this is not a guidebook and doesn't include directions/maps/instructions on how to climb these peaks. Instead it is a travelog of two men who go about trying to tackle these peaks. Like highpointing itself, the book is fun and interesting from time to time but is also dull and relatively pointless at others. There are a couple of pages of text and photos for each state. The photos are okay, not great. There is a little more room dedicated to Denali, as is appropriate. It's really not a book that stands out either as an interesting travel book or as a photo-heavy coffee table book. So why 4 stars? Because it so very accurately gives the reader the same feeling as highpointing, which often involves long burning drives to mundane hikes for little purpose. Many high points of states are neither exciting or picturesque. So, whether intentionally or not, this book makes you feel like you are authentically along for the ride.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great and quirky book. Really enjoyed it.

[John Herman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick blurb and a few photos for each highpoint, what’s not to like? This book has some charm and meaningful moments but the majority of it is filler.

[- The Polybrary - · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book with some good info, just not spectacular. Definitely gave me a good idea of what I'd be getting into if I decided to try this! I think the printing quality in the book could have been a lot better...the pictures seemed sadly grainy.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book inspired my husband and I, and a small group of friends, to become highpointers. And for this we are all very grateful.