Touch the Top of the World cover art

Touch the Top of the World

A Blind Man's Journey to Climb Farther Than the Eye Can See

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Touch the Top of the World

By: Erik Weihenmayer
Narrated by: Nick Sullivan
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About this listen

Erik Weihenmayer was born with retinoscheses, a degenerative eye disorder that would leave him blind by the age of 13. But Erik was determined to rise above this devastating disability and lead a fulfilling and exciting life. In this poignant and inspiring memoir, he shares his struggle to push past the limits imposed on him by his visual impairment - and by a seeing world.

He speaks movingly of the role his family played in his battle to break through the barriers of blindness: the mother who prayed for the miracle that would restore her son's sight and the father who encouraged him to strive for that distant mountaintop. And he tells the story of his dream to climb the world's Seven Summits—and how he turned that dream into astonishing reality, something fewer than 200 mountaineers have achieved.

From the snow-capped summit of McKinley to the towering peaks of Aconcagua and Kilimanjaro to the ultimate challenge, Mount Everest, this is a story about daring to dream in the face of impossible odds. It is about finding the courage to reach for that ultimate summit and transform your life into something truly miraculous.

©2001, 2002 Erik Weihenmayer (P)2002 The Audio Partners Publishing Corp Adventure Travel Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Climbing & Mountaineering Outdoors & Nature Personal Development Personal Success Sports Dream Adventure

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Critic reviews

"An inspiration to other blind people and plenty of us folks who can see just fine." (Jon Krakauer, author of Into Thin Air)
"Vivid and compelling." ( Time)
"A heartfelt, astounding tale." ( The Washington Post Book World)
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An amazing book about all the good in rock climbing, mountaineering and human beings. I was looking for a hard core mountaineering book and found, by chance, a book that gives just that and a lot...lot more. It’s not about the view from the top....its about every decision, your own and that of others that gets you there...Ballsy, sad, heart warming, funny, honest.....Awesome!

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I love climbing tales, but sometimes I find authors attempt to describe the view, the rock formations, the sequence of moves etc, don't work leaving the reader/listener slightly overwhelmed and confused, unable to form a mental picture.

Perhaps this is why this story works so well? Eric brilliantly describes his experiences of climbing in a way that one can immediately understand and instantly relate to. His description of leading El Cap is mind blowing. His achievements are above and beyond what most people are capable of; the fact that he is blind is immaterial.

This title works so well as an audio product and it?s one of the most inspirational climbing tales I?ve ever heard, and I think most importantly, Eric is extremely likeable as a person which makes his story even more rewarding.

An inspiring listen

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I absolutely loved this book. It's a wonderful mix of humanity, the challenges of the blind and ultimately the ability to overcome what seems the impossible. On top of that, it's a great book if you're into mountaineering and climbing. Also, some of the best narration I've ever listened to.

Very entertaining and heartwarming

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With grit and determination Erik strived for the summits. Proving anything is possible. What a testament to Erik. Would 100% recommend this book. The narration perfect also.

Heartwarming and thrilling

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Incredible, read from being a sighted person as a child, who goes blind and the things he accomplished after going blind.

Blind climbing.

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fantastic book just shows what someone with sight. loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys climbing

what an achievement

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A struggle from start to finish. Not that it's not awe inspiring but it doesnt actually contain anything as described in the description of the book. So if you're looking for a well informed book about how a blind man can climb the 7 summits, you would have a better read and be more informed if you searched for him on wikipedia.

An autobiography but not as it would seem

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