Flip through the book and you see lots of shots of people inching up vast, vertical slabs of rock. Look more closely and you find a discussion of rock climbing in England, France, Japan, Australia, Germany and the USA. The pictures are absolutely astounding, while the text gives a personal account of how all these rocks differ from one another, of their unique challenges and beauty. It's a remarkable book, of equal interest to travelers, climbers and acrophobes.

 

'In a field where even gifted photographers can get sucked into cliche, Wiesmeier stands out as an original mind: bringing a personal vision to such standard shots as a chalked-up fist straining on a nubbin, a group of climbers at a bouldering wall. The true hero of this book is not the lantern-jawed Glowacz with his long locks and gymnast's physique in colorful tights, it is the rock — its sculpture, its fantastical textures, its place in the landscape — observed by a genius eye. At his best Wiesmeier communicates a richness of vision and fine detail akin to a canvas by a grand master. His double-page spreads on Jogasaki, Red Rocks, Mount Arapiles and Verdon are breathtaking.”
John Thackray, “American Alpine Journal” 1990, p. 326-327

“With all due respect to the author and translator, this is the photographer Uli Wiesmeier's book. The climbs featured are in France, Britain, USA, Japan, Australia and Germany, and mostly feature Glowacz climbing. Needless to say, the climbs are 'out of this world', but the photographer really shows them to their greatest advantage. The contrast of vertical cliff and flat plain at Arapiles, the towers at Teufelsturm, the hordes at Verdon, are all unforgettable images, but so many of the pictures are excellent - and obviously obtained under very difficult conditions - that this book must rank as one of the best in the genre.”
“Alpine Journal” 1989/90, p. 304