Stone Crusade: A Historical Guide to the Bouldering in America

John Sherman has really done it with this excellent book. Though some may find his sense of humor somewhat caustic (I happen to like it), this is an indispensable guide to all the major bouldering areas in the country. Make no mistake--this is not a "guide book"--you will find no route topos or maps of bouldering areas here (though there are maps TO bouldering areas). The text stays within the historical realm, and Sherman's knowledge of these places is revealed on every page. Of particular interest are his (and other's) memories of places like the Buttermilk boulders, which are presented in a light that precedes the mega-popularity that Bishop has attained in the last five years or so. And Sherman is not only a talented writer--he is also one of my favorite climbing photographers. Beautiful and tasteful prints illustrate almost every page. Well worth the money.

This book is fantastic. If you like bouldering and John Sherman's humorous tales you will enjoy this book.The SOFT COVER BINDING FALLS APART after one or two openings. Of three people I know with the soft cover, all three have fallen apart. BUY THE HARD COVER VERSION!

It reads as a guidebook, a history, and as literature. Sherman writes with surprising grace and introspection about the sport. Nice profiles of the locals at different areas, too. And I was relieved to see no reference to the finest, and apparently still secret, problem at Carderock, MD.

Stone Crusade is THE book of bouldering and the history of the sport in the USA. John Sherman's witty and irreverent writing style and his artistic photographic skill capture the true feeling of the sport across the entire country. A guide book, history lesson, and entertainment all rolled into one. You will want to hit the road on your own Stone Crusade.

I have used this book many times to find bouldering areas. I have also found that it gets me to the boulders easier then the published guide. This book has a lot of great history on bouldering in the United States, the people who started it all and which areas they had the most influence on. It is like Rock And Road for bouldering only better.