What do you think?
Rate this book
There and Back: Photographs from the Edge
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The Academy Award–winning director of Free Solo and National Geographic photographer presents the first collection of his iconic adventure photography, featuring some of the greatest moments of the most accomplished climbers and outdoor athletes in the world, and including more than 200 extraordinary photographs. “An extraordinary work of art.”—Jon KrakauerFilmmaker, photographer, and world-class mountaineer Jimmy Chin goes where few can follow to capture stunning images in death-defying situations. There and Back draws from his breathtaking portfolio of photographs, captured over twenty years during cutting-edge expeditions on all seven continents—from skiing Mount Everest, to an unsupported traverse of Tibet's Chang Tang Plateau on foot, to first ascents in Chad’s Ennedi Desert and Antarctica’s Queen Maud Land.Along the way, Chin shares behind-the-scenes details about how he captured such astounding images in impossible conditions, and tells the stories of the legendary adventurers and remarkable athletes he has photographed, including Alex Honnold, the star of his Academy Award–winning documentary film Free Solo; ski mountaineer Kit DesLauriers; snowboarder Travis Rice; and mountaineers Conrad Anker and Yvon Chouinard. These larger-than-life images, coupled with stories of outsized drive and passion, of impossible goals with life or death stakes, of partnerships forged through incredible hardship, are sure to inspire wonder and awe.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 7, 2021
112 people are currently reading
1040 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
October 21, 2024
If I had the right kind of coffee table, this would be on it.
The photos cover the landscape, the climbers, the risk, the equipment, the camps, the local people and the many ways to engage the mountains.
The text gives you extra background, but the pictures say it all.
All the pictures (but for his own portrait) are the work of Jimmy Chin. He is a climber, National Geographic photographer and award winning filmmaker.
If I had favorites they would be those that show how small the people are in relation to the landscape, but every photo is fantastic.
The photos cover the landscape, the climbers, the risk, the equipment, the camps, the local people and the many ways to engage the mountains.
The text gives you extra background, but the pictures say it all.
All the pictures (but for his own portrait) are the work of Jimmy Chin. He is a climber, National Geographic photographer and award winning filmmaker.
If I had favorites they would be those that show how small the people are in relation to the landscape, but every photo is fantastic.
January 6, 2022
This book is phenomenal. The photos are clearly the main attraction — it’s a photo book after all — but don’t skip the stories Chin includes detailing the expeditions he’s chosen to feature. I have no desire to leave the comforts of home or solid ground, but I so appreciate the stories of those who are compelled to explore and find the edge. Highly recommend.
May 2, 2022
My kinda book here. Lots of expeditions. Lots of pics. Little words. 10/10 would recommend.
Read
December 31, 2021Around the world in two hours with Jimmy Chin. 😍
December 26, 2021
Jimmy Chin is the eye behind the lens of the documentary “Free Solo.” He has an amazing instinct for capturing the most riveting parts of some of life’s biggest adventures. What is truly amazing is that Chin is not just capturing super human feats with his camera, he is in the middle of the journey. As equal an athlete to those who grace the magnificence of his images. That knowledge makes the scenes that he memorializes all the more exhilarating. The accompanying text makes clear the stakes involved to get such rare images; too often paid with the lives of amazing humans in their primes For all of these reasons and more, I am content to experience these adventures vicariously through the lens of Chin’s camera; but I am at the same time inspired to see my surrounding landscape as vistas of my personal lived experience and appreciate them all the more.
Want to read
August 29, 2022Here are some of his photos: https://jimmychin.com/stills
December 22, 2021
Absolutely phenomenal. It follows Jimmy’s career from inception to present projects in humble memoir style reflections. You can see his skills develop, how he has chosen projects and partners, and also gain insight into what has made his work so impactful. This is a long awaited portfolio and is does not disappoint!
January 26, 2025
While this beautiful books of photos has been sitting on my coffee table since it came out, I only recently took the time to read all of Jimmy’s narration cover-to-cover.
What a beautiful tour through the career of one of the greatest adventure photographers the world has ever known. As someone with a very recreational familiarity of skiing, climbing, and mountaineering, every page reminded me of my love for the adventurers among us. The world would be a worse place without all that Jimmy has given us.
What a beautiful tour through the career of one of the greatest adventure photographers the world has ever known. As someone with a very recreational familiarity of skiing, climbing, and mountaineering, every page reminded me of my love for the adventurers among us. The world would be a worse place without all that Jimmy has given us.
February 4, 2022
Absolutely beautiful photographs from one of my favorite athletes and photographers. Jimmy Chin is the best. I only wanted more stories! Happily displaying this book for anyone who comes over to leaf through.
March 29, 2025
Everest 2006 hard to beat, both Meru’s particularly 2011, Free Solo ofc, Chad, K7, Antarctica, 180 South and many more nuggets of wild adventure in here. Jimmy is humble and inspirational through it all
January 16, 2022
Stunning photography and intriguing climbing stories. Loved turning every page!
May 28, 2024
Beautiful photography and some great stories interspersed throughout
December 21, 2024
I’m actually obsessed w this book and anything jimmy chin creates
January 3, 2022
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).
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).
September 23, 2025
Awesome, amazing pics and inspirational stories
January 12, 2025
A perfect coffee table book for any adventurous household. What a life! Every page, cover to cover, is filled with incredible photographs and beautiful passages. This book is both inspiring and humbling.
January 7, 2022
A most beautiful, engaging book for anyone who loves the mountains. Stunning photography by Jimmy Chin—I don’t know how he can rig these impossible climbing routes and then have enough additional brain power to frame and take images. Be sure to watch his movies, too. The short prose included in the Meru sections don’t come anywhere close to describing what the three climbers actually endured.
September 14, 2023
Lots of pictures, lots of outdoors, lots of expeditions, little words. Perfect coffee table book or if you’re looking for some inspiration to go outside
July 15, 2022
This book is a photographic catalogue of places visited and climbed by Jimmy Chin and others from 1999 to 2017. The expeditions covered a great deal of the world, from Alaska to northern Scandinavia, the United States, Africa, Asia and finally Antarctica. The photography is magnificent, with pictures capturing breathtaking scenery and unbelievable incidents of climbers defying gravity and seemingly the laws of physics as they tackle sheer rock faces with all the serious mountaineering tools they can carry - masses of rigging and various ice-pick type tools, which must have weighed a ton. Somewhere they do say how heavy their packs are; many kilos, I'm sure, just can't find it! One of the photographers was Galen Rowell, whose pictures of Tibet are unforgettable. Of course the climbers "did" Everest - in fact, they snowboarded there and later, skied on part of it.
Admittedly, one breathtaking photo of sunset over icy mountaintops does get to look much like another, but the book is really best appreciated slowly, almost one climb at a time. Notes on the expeditions are included, but some readers might have to Google a few terms.
In all, one worth keeping.
Admittedly, one breathtaking photo of sunset over icy mountaintops does get to look much like another, but the book is really best appreciated slowly, almost one climb at a time. Notes on the expeditions are included, but some readers might have to Google a few terms.
In all, one worth keeping.
January 9, 2022
I've pre-ordered this book knowing that Jimmy Chin is fantastic at what he does. His ability to take you into a different world, one that the majority of us will never experience.
The book is a collection of Chin's ventures through the peaks across the world. Before each batch of photos, Jimmy writes a short intro into the background of the adventure, a little story, or a memory from the trip. This part could be expanded because I am sure that Jimmy has some incredible stories from the decades of climbing. This part, the stories behind the photos, it's something that distinguishes this book from your regular coffee table books.
I do hope that Jimmy will have the opportunity to write more, to tell stories about the people, tribes, he met during his trips, to give us insight into their lives and customs.
The photos are, of course, 5 stars, stunning. The quality of the book is exquisite and if you know someone who's interested in mountaineering, climbing, or just wants an introduction to a completely different world than they are used to, this book would make a great gift.
The book is a collection of Chin's ventures through the peaks across the world. Before each batch of photos, Jimmy writes a short intro into the background of the adventure, a little story, or a memory from the trip. This part could be expanded because I am sure that Jimmy has some incredible stories from the decades of climbing. This part, the stories behind the photos, it's something that distinguishes this book from your regular coffee table books.
I do hope that Jimmy will have the opportunity to write more, to tell stories about the people, tribes, he met during his trips, to give us insight into their lives and customs.
The photos are, of course, 5 stars, stunning. The quality of the book is exquisite and if you know someone who's interested in mountaineering, climbing, or just wants an introduction to a completely different world than they are used to, this book would make a great gift.
January 10, 2023
This is a book of photographs documenting rock/mountain climbing expeditions by renowned photographer and climber, Jimmy Chin. The photographs are simply incredible. They capture the ruggedness and grandeur of the various mountains and rock formations, the almost-unbelievable superhuman skills the climbers must have in order to scale them, and the wonderful diversity of the earth's landscapes and people. I frequently found myself muttering, "Oh my God!" as I viewed the photos. The grandeur of the landscape and the feats of the climbers, as so powerfully captured by the photos, are so amazing that I viewed the book in small chunks in order to fully appreciate their magnificence. There is also a brief text description at the beginning of each expedition section which provides contextual background information and notable highlights of the expedition, making the photographs even more meaningful. Wonderful book and work of art!
February 2, 2025
I get intermittently obsessed with Jimmy Chin’s work—after rewatching Free Solo or Meru, etc.—and this collection of photographs 1000% ramps up my enduring awe and respect, not just for Chin’s portfolio of talents (how can one guy be a world-class skier, climber, alpinist, photographer, and filmmaker all at the same time??! while also traveling to every corner of the world, having a partnership, raising two kids, AND discovering the long-lost remains of a famed Everest explorer?!), but also for the athletes Chin photographs who push boundaries in nearly unimaginable ways. Many of Chin’s photographs are literally breathtaking. They are sometimes so unbelievable they look Photoshopped, though they are entirely real.
April 29, 2025
Jimmy Chin’a photobook of life on the edge makes you want to dust of your tent, tear through your gear, chart a map and take the trip.
His stories have long captivated myself and many others, most notably ‘Free Solo’
I think in some small way his intrepid adventures encouraged me or perhaps planted the seeds for what was my wife & I’s own dirtbag vanlife voyage across the country.
Born of an immigrant family in Minnesota, he had the pressures of being a doc/lawyer when he went to go be a climbing bum at the banks of El Cap in Yosemite… you could guess his parents were more than a bit worried. What a gift though he has given us, from delving into what lies beyond with a camera in hand. Thanks for the inspiration, Jimmy.
Life is better on the edge.
His stories have long captivated myself and many others, most notably ‘Free Solo’
I think in some small way his intrepid adventures encouraged me or perhaps planted the seeds for what was my wife & I’s own dirtbag vanlife voyage across the country.
Born of an immigrant family in Minnesota, he had the pressures of being a doc/lawyer when he went to go be a climbing bum at the banks of El Cap in Yosemite… you could guess his parents were more than a bit worried. What a gift though he has given us, from delving into what lies beyond with a camera in hand. Thanks for the inspiration, Jimmy.
Life is better on the edge.
June 22, 2023
I've been seeing @jimmychin 's photos for a little while now. I cannot believe he captures such amazing moments with such clarity over and over again. Not only is he a brilliant climber and photographer, but he shows things I would never believe existed, but in such magical poses that really its all quite supernatural. He is modest and simple and that makes it even more special. I'm completely taken and will attest to his skills even just to take my breath away and believe that there is so much stunning life out there, that not only outshines everything ever seen visually, but dominates beauty because of the lengths Jimmy goes through to catch them.
January 9, 2024
Very interesting book and amazing photos. 4.5 stars really the reduction is due to no mention of what film or digital cameras used which would have been nice to see how he developed what he needed for such shots. Some are more grainy at the beginning so more info would have been nice on this journey of photography. As the photography side lacked for me and I’m not a climber or extreme sports enthusiast I was as looking for more of a collaboration. This was a gift which I really appreciated but he does say he’s a climber and photography then became as important on these climbs. I just wished he’d added that component in too that he is passionate about.
January 9, 2024
I envy Jimmy in a lot of ways. First and foremost this book wasn't just a coffee table book to flip through but was a book that developed Jimmy stories as a forever progressing ladder to new expeditions. I really appreciated that he wasn't selfish in this book. . Despite the environmental conditions in each expedition he managed to take the most breath taking photos all centered around capturing the moment. Jimmy is a photographer who wanted it, and it left an impression on me. I could've never visualized myself in such extreme scenarios in someone else's frosted over boots but after reading this book it left me hungry for adventure.
June 4, 2022
This coffee-table-size 2021 book holds an amazing collection of stomach-lurching photos with minimal text that identifies the climbers and the elements they faced. Chin, a photographer for National Geographic, was the filmmaker for the 2018 documentary “Free Solo” which won the 2019 Oscar for best documentary film.
With photos shot between 1999 and 2017, Chin gives us an impressive work of both art and achievements of elite athletes. I was impressed with how Chin manages to shoot breathtaking photos without himself, an accomplished climber and skier, being the story.
With photos shot between 1999 and 2017, Chin gives us an impressive work of both art and achievements of elite athletes. I was impressed with how Chin manages to shoot breathtaking photos without himself, an accomplished climber and skier, being the story.
June 27, 2022
This is a spectacular collection of photographs taken at the most inaccessible heights on the planet. Jimmy Chin is a skilled photographer who won an Academy Award for Free Solo. These images are from all over the highest mountains on planet Earth. It's impossible to describe them - you have to see the book, and I suspect that those few who have actually visited these places will say the pictures do not do justice to the location; you have to be there. But most of us never will climb to such terrifying heights so for us this book is the next best thing.
March 16, 2025
I loved Chin’s Free Solo movie featuring Alex Honnold, so I’ve had my eye on this collection of his photography for a while, and Dan bought it for me as a Christmas present. I read mostly ebooks, but this book needs to be read in print to experience the stunning landscape photography that Chin is famous for. I also enjoyed reading about his many adventures. While I’m not one to feel the need to scale dangerous ascents, I do appreciate the stories of those who do, and this book was a great way to experience some amazing events.
January 3, 2022
5-star photos, knocking one off for the text, which nothing special. The adventures they describe, though, are something else, and I've got nothing but admiration for Jimmy Chin. Watched Free Solo and sure, was in awe of Alex Honnold, but way more in awe of the person who climbed alongside and managed to capture the entire endeavor on film. Nice little section of Free Solo photos here in the book, too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews