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Product Description
For climber Paul Pritchard the biggest challenge he ever faced wasn't a mountain, but the long climb back to life. Not his former life of the 1990s, when he surfed many of the world's most treacherous rock faces. The boulder that crushed him while he was climbing the Totem Pole in Tasmania put a stop to that. His life now is the result of a six-year struggle with hemiplegia and brain injury, slowly reassembling his world physically, emotionally and mentally. Progress is halting and painful, but also triumphant and often blackly humorous. Along the way he charts the small victories, the false hopes the necessary readjustments, and considers the world's perception of disability as he compares experiences with fellow handicapped climbers such as Jamie Andrew on Kilimanjaro - they are united by positive thinking and a refusal to sink into self-pity. Geographically, he progresses from careering downhill in Snowdonia, not entirely in control of a tricycle, via a dubious Moroccan expedition, to ascents of both Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro. And two love affairs one with Tasmania where he now lives, and the other with Jane, one of the nurses who took care of him after the accident. Now married, they have a small daughter, Cadi. The Longest Climb is full of life. It is a moving and unblinkered view of achievement to date and the steep road ahead for a battered climber who refuses to turn his back on the mountains.
About the Author
Paul Pritchard's first book Deep Play: a Climber's Odyssey from Llanberis to the Big Walls won him the Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature in 1997. Ironically, it was the prize money which launched him on the climbing tour that ended abruptly on the Totem Pole in Tasmania. His next book The Totem Pole tells the story of that sea stack rockfall and its immediate consequences. It won the Boardman Tasker Prize for him a second time and in the same year the Grand Mountain Book Prize at the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival in Canada.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Cathartic Climber,
By
This review is from: The Longest Climb: Back From the Abyss (Paperback)
After a horrendous accident on a sea stack, the Totem Pole in Tasmania, the `longest climb' for climber Paul Pritchard was his mental striving to get back to a physical life. For him his writing of `The Longest Climb' may be therapeutic but it makes for a traumatic read, especially when Paul continues as an over zealous risk taker with prospects for further harm. In spite of his injuries Paul remains a climber at heart but he has had to learn new ways of doing things to regain independence and to confirm his belief that being disabled does not automatically imply lack of ability. He wants to make the most of everything in life and he refers to undertaking various activities - cycling, snorkelling, kayaking, bowling, golf, photography etc. as well as hiking and getting back to rocks and mountains. He writes with much macabre humour and his accounts are most encouraging - in particular the ascent of Kilimanjaro in Africa is inspirational. However his sensitivity to prejudice and patronisation is to a degree that makes his outlook appear critical and condescending as he spurns help and riles against courtesy and compassion extended by others. He takes offence early and easily, and seems to resent medical advice, and takes exception to being treated as what he describes as a "guinea pig". Just as his writing of a previous book, `The Totem Pole', allowed for a cathartic transformation it is hoped `The Longest Climb' also succeeds with the author's recognition of being part of humanity and helps dampen his aloofness from society. For some this may be a motivational book, yet for others `The Longest Climb' will make an uncomfortable read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An uplifting read,
By
This review is from: The Longest Climb: Back From the Abyss (Paperback)
One or two editorial glitches aside, this book is highly recommended and serves as an inspirational text for those who WISH to overcome adversity. I stress the "wish" part as the author clearly has little time for those who might wallow in disability and if nothing else this book should encourage everyone to push themselves as far as they can, whether a "TAB" (read the book to find out what that is) or otherwise. It is clear that the author is a driven man and this book pulls no punches in self deprecation as well as fearlessly pointing out the faults of others he comes in contact with. That said he is generous in his praise for those who have helped him recover at least some of his former life and to explore new adrenalin fuelled pursuits. With many laugh out loud sections, this is more than just a "climbing" book but should be required reading for anyone who even hints at becoming a couch potato.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Pritchard's best yet.,
By Jane Eyre - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: The Longest Climb: Back From the Abyss (Paperback)
'The Totem Pole' was a dramatic true story but some of the narrative did not flow too easily. 'The Longest Climb' is the sequel and the author's improvement since his accident shows in the polished upgrade in his writing style. An excellent read of one man's battle with hemiplegic disability to find his niche again in society and overcome what life has thrown at him.
A book to be read not only by rock climbers but by anyone interested in understanding what the human body can overcome in the face of all odds. |
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