The Push

A Climber's Journey of Endurance, Risk, and Going Beyond Limits

By: Tommy Caldwell

Narrated by: Johnathan McClain

A New York Times Bestseller

A dramatic, inspiring memoir by legendary rock climber Tommy Caldwell, the first person to free climb the Dawn Wall of Yosemite’s El Capitan

“The rarest of adventure reads: it thrills with colorful details of courage and perseverance but it enriches readers with an absolutely captivating glimpse into how a simple yet unwavering resolve can turn adversity into reward.” —The Denver Post

A finalist for the Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature

On January 14, 2015, Tommy Caldwell, along with his partner, Kevin Jorgeson, summited what is widely regarded as the hardest climb in history—Yosemite’s nearly vertical 3,000-foot Dawn Wall, after nineteen days on the route. Caldwell’s odds-defying feat—the subject of the documentary film The Dawn Wall to be released nationwide in September—was the culmination of an entire lifetime of pushing himself to his limits as an athlete.

This engrossing memoir chronicles the journey of a boy with a fanatical mountain-guide father who was determined to instill toughness in his son to a teen whose obsessive nature drove him to the top of the sport-climbing circuit. Caldwell’s affinity for adventure then led him to the vertigo-inducing and little understood world of big wall free climbing. But his evolution as a climber was not without challenges; in his early twenties, he was held hostage by militants in a harrowing ordeal in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Soon after, he lost his left index finger in an accident. Later his wife, and main climbing partner, left him. Caldwell emerged from these hardships with a renewed sense of purpose and determination. He set his sights on free climbing El Capitan’s biggest, steepest, blankest face—the Dawn Wall. This epic assault took more than seven years, during which time Caldwell redefined the sport, found love again, and became a father.

The Push is an arresting story of focus, drive, motivation, endurance, and transformation, a book that will appeal to anyone seeking to overcome fear and doubt, cultivate perseverance, turn failure into growth, and find connection with family and with the natural world.

Exceptional, beautiful

This is such an amazing and insightful story. Tommy Caldwell tells it with amazing detail, transporting us into the joy, agony and beauty of the mountains. I will listen again for sure.

Thankful to have listened to

Loved his story and how told. Was familiar with some of his life which was nice value as I listened to it. I enjoyed hearing about Jim Collins author of Good to Great and so many other books who helped provide values to the company I work for.

I was laughing & in tears

I know a lot of this story but Tommy’s tenderness & quiet appreciation, motivation, energy kept me laughing & in tears throughout. I felt sometimes he spoke of my own feelings about Yosemite, El Cap, general appreciation of nature, and addiction, drive to reach a climbing goal (tho far from his level), keeping relatable. The words eloquent & personal. So glad he was able to do the Dawn Wall. What an incredible feat & so much learning in the process. Thanks for sharing your world Tommy.

great

The writing was awesome and the reading made it come alive! I felt like I was in the mountains the whole time.

wow!!!

wasn't expecting this much from a climber book. amazing story. you won't regret it.

great narration and never lulls into the dull climber lingo of "we did this, then that"