Rating: 
Summary: From the perspective of an independent daughter
Review: When one picks up a book about mountain climbing, one expects it to emphasize thrill and adventure...In many ways, Norman's book is about thrills and adventure, but they have less to do with the climbing (which Norman does explain in fresh and exciting ways making the reader want to run out and find a huge rock to play on) and more to do with the adventure of loving a daughter, a family, and yourself...I bought this book in a book store before getting onto a plane-- four hours and 1000 miles later I had finished it. It initially appealled to me because it was about climbing, a sport that I am interested in (though still quite a novice), and about the relationship between a father and a daughter from the father's perspective--something which, as a daughter who adores her daddy, interested me very much. What I found in the book was the simple truth that while we can learn and even begin to master new skills, we will always be negotiating and defining our relationships. Some of the most poignant moments in the book are when Norman expresses his own self-doubts as a climber, feeling limited by aging, and as a father, feeling inadequate to teach anything to his daughters as they become adult women. Also, as someone interested in climbing, the book did provide me with some direction as to where to look to find out more about climbing and climbers. There are many interesting and fascinating characters that Norman and his daughter, Brooke, meet as they enter the climbing world together, and their stories add much of the humor that can be found in the book. Also, as this is nonfiction, all of the name-dropping will encourage would-be climbers to do some more research and get to know this sport a little better. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in climbing and/or arm-chair adventures, but I would also recommend this book to any father who wants reassurance that there are ways to connect with his daughter(s) in a meaningful way and to any daughter who needs to know what her dad is thinking and feeling as he watches her grow up.
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