To the Top: Climbing America's 50 State Highpoints

by Joe Glickman

A light-hearted account of two close friends accomplishing an American odyssey. Adventurer Joe Glickman and his friend, outdoor photographer Nels Akerlund, tell of their completed 50-state quest which... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1559718714
• ISBN13: 9781559718714
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Northword Press
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 2.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 11.3" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

Outstanding story telling...

I have been a big fan of F. Spencer Chapman for a LONG time. In 1930, he spent a YEAR on Greenland with the British Arctic Air Research Expedition (an important sounding name for a group of college boys on an adventure). The Team Leader was Henry George "Gino" Watkins. As such, they became supremely proficient paddlers in kayaks. They also spent considerable time nordic skiing on the glacial plateau, flying Tiger Moths in aerial surveys, as well as recording meteorological conditions.. On the Second Expedition in 1932, Watkins was again the leader, and Chapman again went along. Watkins died in a hunting accident. Chapman wrote both expedition books, "Northern Lights: The British Arctic Air Research Expedition" and "Watkins Last Expedition." But before WWII, he also went to the Himalayas and climbed several mountains, including Chomolari in the Kingdom of Bhutan (one of the highest peaks to be climbed prior to WWII). His book "Memiors of a Mountaineer" is a classic of those times in Tibet and the Himalaya. Joe Glickman is our modern F Spencer Chapman. I recently got copies of Joe's "Kayak Companion" and "To the Top" books. Excellent material. Joe has an easy reading style, and his stories are amongst the best, paddling or climbing. If Joe can't make you laugh, your funny bone has to be broken. I usually find myself laughing at myself, because I too have been there.

Reaching for America's 50 State Summits

I found this collection of essays to be a great new way to look at our country. With its vastly different climats, its beauty is unmatched by any other.I also enjoyed the casual intimacy in wich Mr. Glickmen tells of their various adventures though out this wonderfully photographed book. Great conversation peice.

"To The Top" is top notch!

Because of Mr. Ackerlund's world class photography and Joe Glickman's absolutely delightful writing style, "To The Top" is the BEST "travel/adventure travel book" in my collection. As expected, the 50 state "summits" are presented professionally. Unexpected are the occasional tear and numerous barrel-laughs from Glickman's sometimes poignant, occasionally irreverant, and nearly always witty writing style. It's a truly wonderful "feel good" read for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, travel, or simply a slice of Americana.

Excellent Photos

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.

5 Star Photos - 5 Star Story

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.