On the High Wire

Very good read. It’s a palm sweater.

This book met all my expectations and more--with one exception. I was hoping for more details about the actual technique of walking on a wire--such as positions of the feet, flexion of the knees, carriage of the head, techniques of relaxation posture and balance, the difference between the technique of walking forward and that of walking backwards, etc. Perhaps such technical things don't belong in such a book--which is truly an extraordinary book by a very extraordinary man whose achievements inspire awe and the highest respect.

This book's copyright date is after the Twin Towers walk, but supposedly was written when he was younger, so I'm not sure.I think (and this is sort of obvious) the way to read this book is as a metaphor - this is how you get through struggles and obstacles, by methodical planning, and planning again, and seeing everything at its tightest focus. The deal with being a wirewalker, if is you haven't considered literally every physical movement you're going to make, then it's not going to work, is it? A big problem in this recent era is a lack of forethought or consequence, so Petit has given a roadmap to view your forward steps as all part of a much larger plan that starts long, long before the plan is actually put into action.Taken literally, the book is an instruction manual on how to be a wirewalker - since most people aren't going to do that, it won't be that helpful. For me, I'm not really that metaphorical a reader - so if you want to tell me to do something, just tell me. So I had to really shift my reading to say "wait, duh, don't look at this wirewalking, try to apply XYZ." and that's not my skill set. Not the book's fault!It's a translation, so you're not exactly Petit's word and ideas...but Paul Auster is of course a well-known writer who I trust can manage this translation task, so that's fine.The book is short and a bit twee. I don't know that it's a purchase I'd make for myself, and I think it's a better inspirational gift book where the recipient can enjoy and learn from it without any sort of expectations.As I said, the goal here is to apply his lessons of wirewalking to the more mundane, and less dangerous, tasks of day to day life. As an inspirational, motivational text there's value here....I mean, not to be pointed, but Petit strung a wire between the two tallest buildings in the world and then walked on it - what did you do today that makes you an expert on anything but slumping on your couch, drinking coffee? (wait - I'm writing this as I slump on my couch, drinking coffee - hoist with my own petard!)

{ I grew up in the Circus. My fathers name is well known among Trapeze artists }This is a beautiful book and a joy to read. I would give it 5 stars but there are times when it got very technical about the mechanics of wire set up and practicing your act that might not appeal to everyone.It was translated by Paul Auster. I think it's the best translation I've ever read because it flow so seamlessly and effortlessly that I would have never guessed is was originally written in French. None of the usual chunkiness and unconnected meanings that are unclear. His lengthy introduction is well written and heartfelt.On The High Wire has the feel of an obsessed man in love talking about his lover. A wonderful take on life's most valuable lessons - practice makes perfect, one foot in front of the other, perseverance, dedication & passion. Oh the passion!Philippe paints pictures and emotions flawlessly with his words. The eyes through which he looks at the world with are at once both filled with childlike wonder and infinite wisdom well beyond his years. Amazing that he was 23 when he wrote this book. Such an interesting man.There are many wonderful quotes that I wish I could tell you. An easy, very enjoyable read.{ I usually read fiction - thriller, mystery, suspense & sci-fi. In my 50's now, I have been expanding my horizons }

This book is sparce in a good way. It is poetic like. He talks of being a high-wire walker/performer, but there are parts that are profound and can be applied to many areas of life including faith. Well, that is the part of life I apply it to, but I think it is like a really incredible painting 1000s could look at and interpret personally. I underlined passages in this book because they were beautiful. Here's the first one I underlined: "And whoever does not want to struggle/against failure, against danger,/whoever is not prepared to give everything/to feel that he is alive,/does not need to be a high-wire walkerr,/Nor could he ever become one./Another quote: "Acquiring this knowledge is a work of a lifetime."Another quote: "The distance is too great to hazard without courage."Another: "the day will be meaningless unless it bears the shape of the wire."This book is art in words. I have never thought about high-wire walkers until reading this book. And I see that his dedication to his art is the dedication I need to have in the things that I live for -- my faith, my art, my creative endeavours. I think you will find this book inspiring and sobering and challenging and quite courageous.