No Barriers

A Blind Man's Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon

By: Erik Weihenmayer, Buddy Levy

Narrated by: Holter Graham, Bob Woodruff

Length: 19 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

2018 Colorado Book Awards finalist in Creative Nonfiction, and National Bestseller and Honorable Mention Award Winner in the Outdoor Literature category of the 2017 National Outdoor Book Awards (NOBA)

“A beautiful book about family and finding a way to achieve more than you ever thought possible.” —Brad Meltzer, New York Times bestselling author

Erik Weihenmayer is the first and only blind person to summit Mount Everest, the highest point on Earth. Descending carefully, he and his team picked their way across deep crevasses and through the deadly Khumbu Icefall; when the mountain was finally behind him, Erik knew he was going to live. His expedition leader slapped him on the back and said something that would affect the course of Erik’s life: “Don’t make Everest the greatest thing you ever do.”

No Barriers is Erik’s response to that challenge. It is the moving story of his journey since descending Mount Everest: from leading expeditions around the world with blind Tibetan teenagers to helping injured soldiers climb their way home from war, from adopting a son from Nepal to facing the most terrifying reach of his life: to solo kayak the thunderous whitewater of the Grand Canyon.

Along the course of Erik’s journey, he meets other trailblazers—adventurers, scientists, artists, and activists—who, despite trauma, hardship, and loss, have broken through barriers of their own. These pioneers show Erik surprising ways forward that surpass logic and defy traditional thinking.

Like the rapids of the Grand Canyon, created by inexorable forces far beneath the surface, No Barriers is a dive into the heart and mind at the core of the turbulent human experience. It is an exploration of the light that burns in all of us, the obstacles that threaten to extinguish that light, and the treacherous ascent towards growth and rebirth.

©2017 Erik Weihenmayer, Buddy Levy, Foreword Copy Right by Bob Woodruff (P)2017 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Erik Weihenmayer's life is so rich, so full of accomplishments, that his story alone is interesting... He also brings to life the emotional challenges of Weihenmayer's life--the frustrations of dealing with a difficult brother and of trying to adopt a boy from Nepal. Graham gives each person in the book a distinct vocal identity, complete with varied tones, inflections, and accents." -AudioFile Magazine

A positive Message

This book has a Positive message and every story was inspirational. Everyone should read this book to understand that having a disability should not let you stop following your dreams.

This book is an inspiring friend!

Now in my top 5 favorites! Erik is a shining example of humanity at its best and an inspiring philosopher to boot. Thank you so much for writing this homage to no barriers!

inspirational beautiful well written

Thoroughly enjoyed this entire book. great look into the lives of others. time to self-reflect! Thanks for sharing such meaningful stories both from your own lives and those of others.

great book!

Really enjoyed the book. made me think about my own barriers that I have created.

Major courage & tenacity

Loved the audible. The narrator was right on target with his voice. Would highly recommend reading or listening to.

This book will help YOU navigate the challenges of life!

“No Barriers” helped me to see that- ‘WHAT'S WITHIN YOU IS STRONGER THAN WHAT'S IN YOUR WAY.’

Powerful, moving, inspirational

This is a really powerful and inspirational book that shows that what we accomplish is solely based on how we look at the obstacles in front of us. If we tackle these obstacles with a positive attitude and a tenacity then anything is possible whether you have a physical or mental disability. People with less than you are accomplishing huge things. This book will help you eliminate the excuses!

Every event in this book is an Adventure!

What did you love best about No Barriers?

I would say that Erik Weihenmayer is inspiring, except that Erik writes in the book that he hates it when people say he is inspiring. Erik brings a sense of adventure and wonderment to everything he does!

What did you like best about this story?

Erik not only lives a life of adventure, he encourages others to do the same. And everything in his life is an adventure: guiding blind Nepali teens on a mountaineering expedition and American teens on a Grand Canyon raft adventure, urging disabled veterans (physical disabilities as well as PTSD) to live a No Barriers life, realizing he cannot save his alcoholic brother, the adoption of his son, deepening his relationship with a friend battling cancer, finally his kayak trip through Grand Canyon. Yet throughout all of his adventures, he realizes it's not just about the achievements he racks up - he continues to learn about himself and how he relates to others. Erik recognizes it is the special people he meets along the way as well as the moments he shares with them that are to be savored and even revered.

Have you listened to any of Holter Graham and Bob Woodruff ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No Barriers was my first Graham and Woodruff performance. The enthusiasm, excitement and wonder in the voice of Erik Weihenmayer made me feel I was really listening to Erik!

Any additional comments?

The content and the narrators combined to make this one of the best Audible books I've listened to!

More Than the Kayak Trip

The majority of this story is not the kayaking trip, but a collection of events, failures, successes, and inspiring people.
It speaks of suffering and figuring out solutions, going forward with loss, and the author goes into how inspired he is to keep going.
I was moved by the many stories and how inspiration is given and taken, how we can all not feel trapped and overcome barriers regardless of physical condition and the circumstances around us.

Loved every minute listening!!!

Having a son who is completely blind, I love the example Erik sets for all of us!!! We will hike Mt Washington for the 5th time this summer and you have been our inspiration along with Randy Pierce!!!