“What McCarthy does here is not only bring together great stories; he contextualizes them in such a way as to create a paradigm for examining the impact humans have in even the most remote corners of the globe.”―Mikel Vause, author of Peering Over the Edge: The Philosophy of Mountaineering. 

“This book carves a unique spot in literature by asking eco-critical scholars to give mountaineering literature/culture more attention, as it has always and continues to play an integral part in the formation of human relations with the natural environment. It is a timely and valuable contribution to scholars in environmental studies and mountaineering literature. Moreover, it is an important book for armchair climbers and climbers themselves.”―Peter L. Bayers, author of Imperial Ascent: Mountaineering, Masculinity, and Empire. 

“Contact is a timely book because it gives us the opportunity to examine the reason we climb and a chance to see our connection to the environment. In addition to an intellectual appraisal of climbing, these are fine tales of risk and adventure.”―Conrad Anker, climber.