To Reach the Clouds [Paperback]

Philippe Petit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 19, 2004

In 1974, a young Frenchman secretly - and illegally - rigged a tightrope between the Twin Towers. He made eight corssings in an hour, while 100,000 people watched in the streets of New York. In "To Reach The Clouds", Petit recreates his six-and-a-half-year quest to realize his dream. Animated by numerous photographs and Petit's sketches, this text is a serenade to his beloved towers and the unfettered aspiration they expressed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

He claims proudly to have been arrested 500 times for street-juggling and has written a variety of books on his art, but high-wire performer Phillipe Petit's latest slim volume recounts his biggest and most legendary coup. Back in 1971, after performing clandestine wire-walks on Notre Dame in Paris and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Petit set his sights on the ultimate target - walking between the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, 110 stories above the streets of New York. Proceeding without any official permission, for the next three years Petit threw himself eagerly into the preparations, and the book details every step of the way, following his quest as he surrounds himself with a motley crew of volunteers while taking on a challenge that even he admits borders on insanity. Told with the breathless exuberance of a circus ringmaster, the book is divided into almost a hundred short chapters and effectively illustrated with a variety of black-and-white photographs, drawings and blueprints. Going from assembling the necessary equipment to his complex methods of evading security in the towers, Petit injects verve and poetry into his tale, and for every moment that he comes across as arrogant and pretentious, there's another where the sheer audacity of the scheme carries the story along on a wave of enthusiastic energy. Events finally lead to the high-wire walk itself, written as a vividly expressionistic piece of prose, and the chaotic aftermath where Petit faced the wrath of the New York authorities. But throughout this mischievous tale there's a haunting sense of poignancy. The September 11th tragedy is only mentioned in the closing pages but its echoes are felt throughout, and despite the occasionally overblown writing style, the book is a strangely moving glimpse into a safer, more innocent time, and an engaging story of realizing mad dreams against all odds. (Kirkus UK) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Faber & Faber (February 19, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0571217710
• ISBN-13: 978-0571217717
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,152,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, April 20, 2009

By 

L. Stolk (Grand Rapids, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: To Reach the Clouds (Paperback)

Fascinating read about an insane feat! I read the book after watching "Man on Wire" and think it would have been more interesting to do the reverse. The book is not your typical narrative; it is obviously written by a (hyperactive) poet. I had hoped that it would shed more light on Petit's life story, his boyhood, his upbringing, the usual; which it did not, but then it isn't a biography. Even though you know how it ends, you still find yourself holding your breath as the whole caper unfolds. I highly recommend the book (and the movie).

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High-wire brilliance - superb read, August 13, 2009

By 

Verve "muso" (Glasgow) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Reach the Clouds (Paperback)

I can't even begin to tell you how compelling I found this. I'm really not a big fan of non-fiction, but this totally blew me away - and yes, lucky I'm not a high-wire walker. Anyway, excuse the lousy joke, but this is a seriously brilliant and breathtaking read. No wonder it keeps being unavailable, I guess they're reprinting like crazy. Anyway, after you get hold of a copy, if you then fancy a bit of fiction, I highly recommend this:

Soothing Music for Stray Catsby Jayne Joso, also brilliant.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Crazy Frenchman, June 10, 2009

By 

Gretchen Diefenderfer (Colorado) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To Reach the Clouds : My High Wire Walk Between the Twin Towers (Hardcover)

It's a thriller and he's a poet. I also bought this book after seeing the movie and his writing is wonderful. Must be one of the most unique people on the planet.