Customer Reviews

Sherman Exposed: Slightly Censored Climbing Stories

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Finally a book with climbing stories that are really worth reading. This book is very varied containing pieces that are fun, sad, informative, disgusting, interesting and many other things as well.

After all the "we climbed the first ascent of so and so in three days"-stories here's a collection of articles about climbing and life that would still be great reading even if they were not about climbing. There are pieces here that will make you laugh, ones that might make you mad, some will make you smile and quite a few will make you think.

If you are a climber who likes to read this book is a must have! All I can say is: will there be more?

Slim

Exposed? yes, Sherman writes as well as any psudo-biographical author i've ever read, which suprising seeing as he's a climber. I laughed, and felt all of the emotions I belive he would want one to feel. I walk away from this book revitalized, ready for my next great climbing adventure. If you are familiar with trad, or embrace the kindred spirit of climbing (not just gym climbers), this is a must read!

If you're not a climber, this book will mystify you, but if you are, you must read it. It's hysterically funny, cranky and incisive. Some of the chapters -- most of which are reprints of the author's column in Climbing -- are better than others, but the best are laugh-out-loud funny.

Some boneheads don't "get" John Sherman's brand of humor, but that's their problem. This guy is one of the best climber/writers working today. I missed many of these stories when they were originally published, but even the ones I had read were a pleasure to read again. Some of the best were previously unpublished. Sherman has a knack, much like John Long, for lampooning climbers yet still writing heartfelt and unforgettable stories about the sport and its crazy mix of characters. I look forward to Exposed II.

In this collection of short stories, John "Verm" Sherman has pulled together some of his stories from his published columns in Climbing magazine. Although the three or four travelogues dragged a bit, the majority of stories are amusing and, in some cases, really funny. For example, how can the theory of relativity be observed/proved by a man and woman? (Sorry for the tease -- you'll have to read the book to get the answer to this question.) Putting wooly ovine conspiracy theories at front and center of the evidence, the book certainly offers some evidence to the notion that boulderers are more at the flaky edge of the climbing world. Very enjoyable read.

I wasn't looking for political correctness or even adept writing, but the boring rambles of the self-important Sherman just couldn't entertain.