Art of Freedom, the biography of Voytek Kurtyka – a luminary of Polish climbing's greatest era – is now available for purchase.

An insightful portrait of one of the international climbing world's most esteemed and private individuals, the book offers a unique glimpse into Kurtyka's life and climbs, from the hardest free routes in the Tatra mountains to his visionary alpine-style ascents in the Himalaya, including the complete Broad Peak traverse, the 'naked night' speed climbs of Cho Oyu and Shishapangma and the first ascent of the South West of Gasherbrum IV.

Despite countless declined invitations for interviews and festival appearances, Kurtyka agreed to work with author Bernadette McDonald on the book's creation, continuing a friendship that was established during the making of McDonald's multi-award-winning book Freedom Climbers, which tells the story of the extraordinary Polish adventurers who emerged from under the blanket of oppression following the Second World War to become the world's leading Himalayan climbers.

Art of Freedom is one of six titles shortlisted for the 2017 Boardman Tasker Award for Mountain Literature, together with two other Vertebate Publishing titles: The Magician's Glass by award-winning writer and journalist Ed Douglas and Days to Remember by well-known mountain guide Rob Collister.

Take a look inside the book

Order now

Limited-edition signed copies are now sold out. Click HERE to order the general-release hardback for £24 (includes free UK mainland delivery).