Rating: 
Summary: Superb
Review: Because of the majestic photos and wonderful stories I think this is a superb book. It also explains the techniques used by those on the leading edge of the sport. Although the climbing doesn't remotely look like anything I will ever be capable of, I found it most enjoyable to see how, and in some ways, why, these people climb what they do. I have never seen any book quite like it. Extreme indeed!
Rating:
Summary: Superb
Review: Because of the majestic photos and wonderful stories I think this is a superb book. It also explains the techniques used by those on the leading edge of the sport. Although the climbing doesn't remotely look like anything I will ever be capable of, I found it most enjoyable to see how, and in some ways, why, these people climb what they do. I have never seen any book quite like it. Extreme indeed!
Rating: 
Summary: Second Award Received
Review: Besides the Banff award Extreme Alpinism also won the Instructional Category in the National Outdoor Book Award competition.
Rating:
Summary: The Real Deal
Review: Extreme Alpinism is a distillation of Mark Twight's advice on tactics that are on the polar opposite of the slow and steady expedition style that has been accepted in the climbing mainstream as the norm. The concept that light and fast means safety is not a new one, but Twight's detailed descriptions of the gear, techniques, and mindset necessary to accomplish fast alpine climbs in a safe manner are unique to history. Quite simply, the last word of the subject. Armchair alpinists would be more satisfied with Kiss or Kill; this is a practical guidebook, not a collection of tales.
Rating:
Summary: Extreme Alpinism a winner in Banff
Review: Extreme Alpinism won the Mountain Exposition category at the Banff International Mountain Book Festival. The award was announced November 4th, 1999. The world of mountain literature is small, but the award is significant, in any case.
Rating:
Summary: Multi-faceted and highly interesting
Review: I barely rock climb, and got much out of this fine book, especially on tangential subjects (e.g., attitude, nutrition, personal growth, ruggedness, etc.). Very highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Not just for climbers
Review: I don't climb anymore; I read this book because I thought it was about something I used to dabble in. I found that it presents a philosophy not just of climbing, but of life--a philosophy that I share. "The mind and body adapt to both comfort and deprivation." How true! This one sentence applies to every sport, every activity of life, including the daily routines of life itself (for those of us with routine lives). Very inspiring book.
Rating:
Summary: Best how-to
Review: I wish I had this book when I started to alpine climb over 20 years ago. It would have cut my learning curve in half and saved me from hauling way too much junk up some very big routes!
Rating:
Summary: Extreme Alpinism: Climbing Light, Fast and High
Review: In my opinion:Not necessarily a book for beginners, but an excellent book to take an experienced climber to the next level. This book provides extensive recommendations on what to leave behind to safe weight and move fast, how to stay hydrated and fueled, as well as some great philosophical tips of the psychology of climbing. I found a few recommendations that were incorrect or I disagreed with... but like all written material, don't beleive everything you read, use your own judgement. An excellent book, you can't go wrong!
Rating: 
Summary: Minimalist Equipment Cuts Both Ways
Review: In this book Mark Twight asks everyone who packs in climbing equipment to consider how much gear you really need. Twight writes that climbing quickly with less gear is safer than packing all the useless junk we seem to carry. And his critique of outdoor apparel manfacturers is right on. He recommends that outdoor equipment be simple, functional and light weight. All mountaineers have garages full of stuff which didn't work out. Following Twight's lead would reduce this clutter. There is a downside to this attitude however: minimum equipment in the mountains can leave you really exposed. In fact, the subtext of Twight's book could have catastrophic results for less expert climbers. Twight writes that if the conditions on a climb deterioriate and your equipment isn't adequate, then simply come down. Good advise if you're able to do it. Twight says that climbing is organized "chaos." While you can't pack in everything, you need enough gear to survive this chaos. The goal is to use everything you packed in and not need anything else. That's tough to accomplish and I don't agree with Twight that you should error by taking less. The book starts with a fine description of mental attitude and preparation for successful climbing (and almost everything else). Twight is right on here, too. But don't forget that climbing is talent, technique and mental preparation. German climbers call mental attitude "muntz," which I found means courage. I certainly recommend reading Twight's book. Stripping equipment down to simple, dependable items which are really used is a great goal. And I want to try his ideas for climbing wear, although they seem risky. Just remember that Mark Twight is a world-class climber and can get himself out of situations which the rest of us can't (I hope).
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