To The Top: Reaching for America's 50 State Summits [Hardcover]

Joe Glickman (Author), Nels Akerlund (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2003

Seeking to climb to the geographic highpoints of all 50 U.S. states has been a recognized passion of a select few adventurous souls since 1986, when some of these folks discovered one another and began calling themselves the High Pointers Club. But a completed 50-state quest has never before been documented in book form. To the Top, a new book by adventurer Joe Glickman and his friend, renowned outdoor photographer Nels Akerlund, is an engaging, lighthearted account of two close friends accomplishing this new American odyssey.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Glickman's work has appeared in The New York Times, The Daily News, Newsday, The Village Voice, Outside, Men's Journal, Inside Sports, Adventure Cyclist, Runner's World, US, EcoTraveler, The Paddler, Sea Kayaker, Women's Sports & Fitness, and Brooklyn Bridge. He co-wrote (with Allen Barra) That's Not the Way It Was, a book about myths in sports. Joe lives in New York.

Nels Akerlund's photography has appeared in National Geographic Magazine and The New York Times. He was a co-author and photographer for The Complete Idiot's Guide to Rock Climbing, and his work has been featured in several other books. Nels lives in Illinois.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Northword Press (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559718714
• ISBN-13: 978-1559718714
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #708,937 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars be fair, June 16, 2004

By 

Joseph H. Glickman (Brooklyn,, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To The Top: Reaching for America's 50 State Summits (Hardcover)

As the author of To The Top, it's worth nothing that I've climbed 49 of the 50 highpoints -- including Mt. McKinley -- and made it to within 300 vertical feet of the one highpoint I didn't summit (Gannett Peak in WY). For the record, Nels Akerlund and I will return to climb Gannett this summer; however, the point is that our book aims to honestly document these neat mountains -- wins, loses and ties -- and includes plenty of information not only about the historical and social aspects of the highpoints but about the struggles that ensue when you don't succeed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Photos, May 13, 2003

By 

"spartajack" (Portland, Oregon) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To The Top: Reaching for America's 50 State Summits (Hardcover)

I have done 5 of the 50 state summits. I can't imagine the logistics of knocking off all 50. What I liked about this book is that you can skip around and read about different climbs or just flip through and look at the photos (which are awesome). Something to throw out on the coffee table. And the stories are pretty darn funny.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Star Photos - 5 Star Story, May 7, 2003

By 

Lance (Sedona, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To The Top: Reaching for America's 50 State Summits (Hardcover)

A must read for anyone with an adventurous spirit and a good sense of humor. The photos and humorous dialogue bring you right into this story. Anyone who has struck upon a "bright idea" over beers with a friend will to relate to this book. To The Top is a mix of adventure, misadventure, light-hearted humor and awesome photographs of two guys who get alot more than they bargained for. The photos alone are worth the price of the book -- the story is an excellent bonus. Great photos, great story, and great banter between Joe and Nels. Check it out.