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Product Description
In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit threw a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center and spent an hour walking, dancing, and performing high-wire tricks a quarter mile in the sky. This picture book captures the poetry and magic of the event with a poetry of its own: lyrical words and lovely paintings that present the detail, daring, and--in two dramatic foldout spreads-- the vertiginous drama of Petit's feat. "The Man Who Walked Between the Towers" is the winner of the 2004 Caldecott Medal, the winner of the 2004 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Picture Books, and the winner of the 2006 Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
45 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
On an otherwise normal day in August 1974, a young Frenchman pulled off what may be the most impressive (not to mention foolhardy) wire-walking exhibition in history. New York City's early commuters looked up to the almost-completed World Trade Center towers to see a man, experienced aerialist Phillippe Petit, walking back and forth across them on a wire. This amazing (albeit highly illegal) achievement has now been immortalized in impressive ink and oil paintings in Mordicai Gerstein in The Man Who Walked Between the Towers. Among the artwork you will find the ingenious use of two foldout illustrations, each one establishing an amazing change in perspective of Petit's wire-walking feat and making the drama of the event all that more palpable. Published in 2003 and the recipient of The Caldecott Medal, this book is sure to captivate many young minds with its story and artistry (with a sense of vertigo thrown in absolutely free of charge), and it does stand as something of a touching reminder of the two towers that fell on September 11, 2001 and the spell they cast in their own silent yet mighty fortitude.
Alongside the artwork is the story, economically told, of Petit's dream and the manner in which he made it come true. It describes how he and some friends dressed up as construction workers, hid out on both towers until nightfall, and got the wire-walking cable (which was a mere seven-eighths of an inch wide) in place, after which Petit walked, ran, danced, and even lay down on the outstretched wire over the course of nearly an hour. He was then, of course, arrested but, to my surprise, ordered only to perform his feats for the children of New York City. This is a fabulous story that will literally take your breath away, especially if you are as afraid of heights as I am, but I can't get over just how dangerous and illegal this was (to his friends as well as himself) and can only wonder how Petit got off so easily.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By Mary-Lou
Format:Paperback
Inspirational for adults and children alike. An exciting story of dedication to art/sport/technique/purity versus well-meaning corporate concern, regulations and sensibility. Beautifully illustrated and told. You will want to read it again and again.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
It is splendidly illustrated, and tells the story of the Frenchman who (really) walked between the twin towers. I would NOT go on to tell the sad ending of the twin towers, just leave it, as the book does, with a happy ending. Great to read WITH a young child.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
This book is great for adults and children alike. It is a wonderfully simplistic story about real life events and something that can now never be repeated. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Monique Dunn
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great talent.
This is really a beautiful story with marvellous drawings, a graphic novel to read and read again. Very happy to have it in my collection. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Moka
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic
I wasn't sure what this book would be like. The story of the man who walked on a high wire between the twin towers is really presented well and reflects on the demise of the towers... Read more
Published 22 months ago by Cooking Up A
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