There and Back: Photographs from the Edge

Beautifully done. Exquisite photos (you knew that) and also compelling narrative, photo notes, chronology, and personal touches. Reinforces the impression I've long had of Chin being a genuinely decent human being in addition to all his technical talents.

This feels like (and probably is) an utterly pointless review: if you're familiar with Chin's work, you're going to or have already bought the book; if you're not, you're not even going to be reading this. So here's an idea: let's all of us lend our copies out to non-climber friends who appreciate beauty and exploration. Maybe we'll wake something in them; or maybe they'll be inspired to buy copies for other friends in turn. Chin deserves to be well known.

On a personal note, I'd like to confess that I read this today while squirreled up at home, inside on a gorgeous New Mexico bluebird day, because it was “too cold”—twenties—to spend the day climbing. (Do not hold your breath waiting for my adventure photo book).