Continental Divide: A History of American Mountaineering

"This is a story of mountains as dreams, of land as destiny, of summits as the pinnacles of all human desire." ―Wade Davis, National Geographic In this magisterial narrative history, award-winning author Maurice Isserman profiles a robust selection of American mountaineers (including John C. Frémont, John Muir, Annie Peck, Bradford Washburn, Charlie Houston, and Bob Bates), and illustrates vividly the importance of mountaineering to the nation’s cultural identity. Covering four centuries of daring climbs, Continental Divide tells a vital story of adventure in the high peaks that evokes the enterprising, revolutionary spirit of America itself. 65 illustrations