With bare hands
a steep climb

By Dr Vaidehi Nathan?

With Bare Hands: The True Story of a Real-life Spiderman, Alain Robert, Jaico  House,  Pp 306 (PB), Rs. 350.?

With Bare Hands is the remarkable life story of Alain Robert, the man who conquers world’s tallest buildings with an ease that would be the envy of spiderman. Alain was suffering from vertigo, a disease which would put anyone off heights. But not Alain.He fought several injuries which had left him nearly 60 per cent disabled. When he climbed the tallest building in Paris, the owner of the building got him arrested. In China he was arrested and jailed for a fortnight.

Just on the eve of the his climbing Taipei 101, the tallest building in the world in 2008, he injured his hand. Seeing his enthusiasm his doctor helped him recover. Remarkable courage made him see through that climb. Rain was pouring down when he climbed, he almost slipped, with spectators missing a few heartbeats.

Alain is a trained rock climber. He took a fancy to climbing steep facades of tall buildings — any surface be it glass, concrete or marble. Each of his climb is filled with tension for the readers.

It is a marvellous story of courage, confidence, each climb a miracle.

(Jaico Publishing House A-2 Jash Chambers, 7-A Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001)