No Barriers: A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon

No Barriers is about my journey since coming down from Mt. Everest in 2001, and the path to where I am today. It is the story of my own life, the personal and professional struggles in the pursuit of growth, learning, and family, as well as a dream to kayak one of the world s great rivers as a blind athlete. It is also about the many people I ve encountered along the way who possess what I call a No Barriers mindset, who live a No Barriers life. It highlights these pioneers who give those around them the courage to do great things. People who have risked failure, transcended their personal barriers, and shown others a way forward: scientists and innovators, artists and musicians, climbers and adventurers, activists and soldiers. No Barriers is a way of living, and it exists in all of us, like a deep internal light. But sometimes through trauma, loss, isolation, and disillusionment, people get shoved into a dark place, and that light is almost extinguished. Making hard choices is what feeds that light, and becomes the energy we need to propel us forward. This book is about making the hard choices to fuel that flickering light, so that we can ignite with purpose and become our very best selves. "

About the Author :
ERIK WEIHENMAYER is a bestselling author, athlete, adventurer, and motivational speaker. He is the only blind person to reach the summit of Mount Everest. He also completed the Seven Summits, joining 150 mountaineers who have accomplished that feat, but the only climber who was blind. He is the author of Touch the Top of the World and The Adversity Advantage. He co-founded No Barriers USA, which helps those with special challenges to live active and purposeful lives. He lives in Colorado. BUDDY LEVY is a journalist, speaker, and the author of numerous books, includingConquistador: Hernan Cortes, King Montezuma, and the Last Stand of the Aztecs; River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana s Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon;Geronimo: Leadership Strategies of an American Warrior (with Mike Leach); and American Legend: The Real-Life Adventures of David Crockett. He was a cast member in all 24-episodes of HISTORY s Brad Meltzer s DECODED television series. He teaches writing at Washington State University. He lives in Idaho. "

Review :
""No Barriers" does more than chronicle a magnificent and seemingly impossible journey through the heart of the Grand Canyon. It offers a shining testament to the truth that both on rivers and in life, it is within the pockets of turbulence the places where chaos reigns greatest that discovery, wisdom, and growth await. Weihenmayer's powers of discernment are acute, startling, and deeply inspirational." Kevin Fedarko, "New York Times "bestselling author of "The Emerald Mile" "" """"No Barriers" is more than an incredible adventure story it's a beautiful book about family and finding a way to achieve more than you ever thought possible. Brad Meltzer, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The President's Shadow" "An inspiration to other blind people and plenty of us folks who can see just fine." Jon Krakauer, "New York Time" bestselling author of "Into Thin Air""