Sherman Exposed: Slightly Censored Climbing Stories

By John Sherman

Book Overview

* Both brilliant and funny, John Sherman has a loyal following
* Features the best of Climbing magazine's Verm's World
* Insightful and often irreverent profiles of some of North America's best climbers

Outrageous, talented, and a force to be reckoned with, John Sherman is always willing to spout an opinion that's sure to raise eyebrows. This rowdy collection of biting satire, parody profiles, barely restrained rants, and genuine reflections on climbing's unsung heroes is no different.

Blending his juiciest Verm's World columns from Climbing magazine with previously unpublished (or, perhaps, unpublishable?) stories, Sherman pulls no punches, even on himself. From his college exploits in buildering on the Berkeley campus, to his quest for the Fab 50, to his years as a nomadic boulderer, Sherman shares the best, and the worst, he has found in the people and places he encountered along the way.

Climbers will discover valuable excuse-making techniques in The Dog Ate My Belay Plate; they will aspire to the very un-PC All Vermin Team; and they will challenge themselves with The Verm's World History Aptitude Test. Who could ask for more?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898868521
• ISBN13: 9780898868524
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books
• Length: 238 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Sheepish Review

In this collection of short stories, John "Verm" Sherman has pulled together some of his stories from his published columns in Climbing magazine. Although the three or four travelogues dragged a bit, the majority of stories are amusing and, in some cases, really funny. For example, how can the theory of relativity be observed/proved by a man and woman? (Sorry for the tease -- you'll have to read the book to get the answer to this question.) Putting wooly ovine conspiracy theories at front and center of the evidence, the book certainly offers some evidence to the notion that boulderers are more at the flaky edge of the climbing world. Very enjoyable read.

Read it and weep - with laughing

Finally a book with climbing stories that are really worth reading. This book is very varied containing pieces that are fun, sad, informative, disgusting, interesting and many other things as well.After all the "we climbed the first ascent of so and so in three days"-stories here's a collection of articles about climbing and life that would still be great reading even if they were not about climbing. There are pieces here that will make you laugh, ones that might make you mad, some will make you smile and quite a few will make you think.If you are a climber who likes to read this book is a must have! All I can say is: will there be more?Slim

One of a kind

Some boneheads don't "get" John Sherman's brand of humor, but that's their problem. This guy is one of the best climber/writers working today. I missed many of these stories when they were originally published, but even the ones I had read were a pleasure to read again. Some of the best were previously unpublished. Sherman has a knack, much like John Long, for lampooning climbers yet still writing heartfelt and unforgettable stories about the sport and its crazy mix of characters. I look forward to Exposed II.

Sherman Exposed?

Exposed? yes, Sherman writes as well as any psudo-biographical author i've ever read, which suprising seeing as he's a climber. I laughed, and felt all of the emotions I belive he would want one to feel. I walk away from this book revitalized, ready for my next great climbing adventure. If you are familiar with trad, or embrace the kindred spirit of climbing (not just gym climbers), this is a must read!

Funniest Thing since Downward Bound

If you're not a climber, this book will mystify you, but if you are, you must read it. It's hysterically funny, cranky and incisive. Some of the chapters -- most of which are reprints of the author's column in Climbing -- are better than others, but the best are laugh-out-loud funny.