UKC

From inspiring new guides, both rock and hill, to biography, fiction and poetry, staff at UKC/UKH pick their favourite titles of the last year. Whether you're stuck for present ideas or writing your own note to Santa, these are our top seasonal reads.

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In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

Well, that's me sorted for a while!!

Love the hypnotic cover for Black Car Burning, but...is that one of those odd eBay/Amazon "climbing ropes" with the sewn/spliced-in krab at the end? 

Assuming it's not a dangerous knock-off, when do climbers use such a thing? Or should I read the book to find out?

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

Remember perusing through Alpineglow at a hut recently. Blown away by the quality of photographs. Not an alpinist myself but in that moment I for sure wanted to be.

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

All good books im sure, I would also add crazy sorrow to the list

In reply to BrendanO:

Rock/ice climbers? Practically never. Tree surgeons use spliced eyes the whole time.

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

Franco's book looks really good. If I was ever likely to go to the NY Moors, I'd buy it.

In reply to climber34neil:

I've treated myself to that, going to wait unto the 25th to open it though

In reply to BrendanO:

Don't worry, the climbers in the book don't use such a thing! But well worth reading.

In reply to Michael Gordon:

Or, if you bought it, you'd be more likely to visit the NY Moors

Previously I'd have said this is reason enough not to buy it, thus save yourself the inevitable hassle + disappointment, but as per the sentiments within my review - it really does open your eyes as to the quality that's out there.

I have a feeling that in 10 years time people will be quoting this guide on the 'best guidebook you've ever read' thread which is currently up/running elsewhere on the Forums.

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

For those interested in hearing more on Black Car Burning there's a separate discussion taking place on the 'poems about rock climbing thread', which goes into a lot more detail.

Sadly I was a little pushed for time when I wrote the review, and I feel like my comment regarding how "it's the bits that aren't about climbing that are the best” might have been a bit flippant. It doesn't do the book, or Helen's writing, justice.

More info here: https://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/culture_bunker/poems_about_rock_climbing-...

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

I feel like such a nerd/knob/smartarse for even noticing this, never mind posting about it. But why would you stack a nest of tables with the smalles one in backwards!!

In reply to Southvillain:

I wonder why the image was put on the cover, then? Why not proper rope and/or climbing equipment? Seems an unfortunate piece of visual design.

In reply to Rob Parsons:

I've no idea. But you know what graphic designers are like, if it looks good....

In reply to kerry cooper:

You said it!

Have you got kids? Just getting three tables nested together is something of a rarity in our house, I'm not picky about which way round they end up.

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

From the review of Pete Whittaker's 'Crack Climbing' book at the bottom:

I've been trying to make my mind up if that is supposed to be "nuances".  It works either way.

In reply to deepsoup:

Haha, although nuisances works equally well, ive updated it

Thanks for spotting it!

In reply to UKC/UKH Gear:

Just to wet the appetite, and due for publication in March 2020 https://www.v-publishing.co.uk/books/books-new-and-coming-soon/hard-rock/