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 19 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 20s, 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.

©2017 Tommy Caldwell (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"If you want to be inspired by a great leader, if you want to feel what it takes to do what no one thought possible, if you want to be absorbed by a heroic journey - Tommy Caldwell's story is one of the best you could ever hope to find. Here, in his own words, you get more than just a climbing adventure, you get the inside view of how a person can endure crushing setbacks and persist to fulfill a spectacular vision. And in sharing his story, he has become a teacher to us all." (Jim Collins, author of Good to Great)

"The Push is the most insightful book about climbing I’ve ever read, and quite possibly the most enjoyable. Whether Caldwell is explaining his astounding feats on vertical terrain, or the agony of trying to sustain a doomed relationship, or the merits of what he calls ‘elective suffering', the writing is consistently captivating and unfailingly honest." (Jon Krakauer, author of Into Thin Air)

"Yes, Tommy Caldwell is a badass, but he is no different than you or I. I've always been interested in how people do the impossible. This isn't just a book about climbing, it's about laser sharp focus in all aspects of life. Tommy's story provides insight how we can all push a little further and a little higher." (Scott Jurek, author of Eat & Run)

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.

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"

awe inspiring and inspirational

I am 51 year old amateur climber who recently underwent shoulder reconstruction and hopes to one day return to climbing. I remember Tommy Caldwell's major life events as well as where, and how I learned of them in the timeline of my own climbing life. Never did I realize that so many years of preparation went into Tommy and Kevin's big push. This read was an epic vicarious journey. Thanks for the ride, Mr. Caldwell.

Must listen/read

Thanks for writing this Adventure of inspiration, dedication, and fortitude. Your sticktoitness is contagious. Seek the next destination and go hard!

Nice real fight with the big wall.

Fantastic story for the climbers. It shows how strong you have to be to gain the goal.

loved it

I knew the story from friends. i didn't know how much I did not know. I am so glad I chose this book. very well told .

Favorite story by an athlete. Hands down.

Was I supposed to know Tommy could write like this? Unreal. He brought every part of his life awake with vivid, novel descriptions and incisive perceptions of others' thoughts and body language. I'm full of gratitude for his willingness to be so vulnerable about his relationships. And his descriptions of climbing...come on. Exhilarating hardly covers it. This book has motivated me to up my own training and overall outlook in a way that I don't think will change anytime soon. Thanks, Tommy.

Excellent story/ riveting adventure!

Sad to have this book end. The reading is superb and the drama is exciting ….I felt as though I were there watching Tommy’s growth and life experiences as he lived them.
Great writing with raw, potent emotion!
Loved this book and I hope Tommy Caldwell continues his writing career as well as his adventures in climbing.

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.