Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9376 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 240 pages

The Times, 19 February 2003
Remarkably the book is as astonishing and beautiful as the act itself ... An act of beauty in the face of death.

Review
'One year after the nightmares of September 11, how good to remember that morning in 1974 when a young man gave New York a gift of astonishing, indelible beauty. How good that he has sat down now to give us this lively and often heart-stopping account of how he achieved his masterpiece'. Paul Auster

He claims proudly to have been arrested 500 times for street-juggling and has written a variety of books on his art, but high-wire performer Phillipe Petit's latest slim volume recounts his biggest and most legendary coup. Back in 1971, after performing clandestine wire-walks on Notre Dame in Paris and Sydney Harbour Bridge, Petit set his sights on the ultimate target - walking between the twin towers of the World Trade Centre, 110 stories above the streets of New York. Proceeding without any official permission, for the next three years Petit threw himself eagerly into the preparations, and the book details every step of the way, following his quest as he surrounds himself with a motley crew of volunteers while taking on a challenge that even he admits borders on insanity. Told with the breathless exuberance of a circus ringmaster, the book is divided into almost a hundred short chapters and effectively illustrated with a variety of black-and-white photographs, drawings and blueprints. Going from assembling the necessary equipment to his complex methods of evading security in the towers, Petit injects verve and poetry into his tale, and for every moment that he comes across as arrogant and pretentious, there's another where the sheer audacity of the scheme carries the story along on a wave of enthusiastic energy. Events finally lead to the high-wire walk itself, written as a vividly expressionistic piece of prose, and the chaotic aftermath where Petit faced the wrath of the New York authorities. But throughout this mischievous tale there's a haunting sense of poignancy. The September 11th tragedy is only mentioned in the closing pages but its echoes are felt throughout, and despite the occasionally overblown writing style, the book is a strangely moving glimpse into a safer, more innocent time, and an engaging story of realizing mad dreams against all odds. (Kirkus UK)

Robin Williams
Philippe Petit is an artist whose theater is the sky. In this absorbing book, he reveals himself to be equal parts Houdini, Nureyev, and Da Vinci.

Customer Reviews

Absolutely staggering
This book is unlike anything I have ever read and will remain with me longer than almost anything else, it is written in a style similar to Baricco, which means the style of writing may not suit everyone, but I thought it was beautifully written, funny and highly emotional. Nothing should detract from the fact that this man walked (stood, sat, danced, lay) on a wire half a mile in the air. The feat itself is imcomprehensible and without photos you would never believe it had happened. The audacity behind the feat is almost as amazing as the feat itself.

Edge of the seat poetry
This unusual little book gripped from start to finish. The writing is, quite simply, beautiful - the pictures atmospheric. Throughout the book, Petit's project appears doomed from every direction - all those around him (and, at times, even Petit) appear convinced that he will die in his attempt to cross between the Twin Towers, but he is driven on by his dream. The book gives a peek into the mind of the tightrope walker and the tensions between the artist and engineer cohabiting therein. Petit clearly loved the Towers and his comments on their destruction are poignant.

This book is a thriller, an architectural romance and a transcendental journey - altogether an irresistible read.

Most exciting book
This is the most gripping book I have ever read. Right from the start his style of writing sucks you right in. It is very interesting to see how the whole thing was planned over a matter of years. When it comes to the actual walk itself I couldn't believe how nervous I was. You really are on the edge of your seat, gripping the book and turning pages as fast as is possible!