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The Greater Fool follows renowned climber and accomplished Free Soloist, Brad Gobright, on his wondrous path of becoming. From the soil of his youth, born 8-weeks premature and miles away from the nearest vertical flank of granite, to the endless roadtrip he crafted in his quest for discovery, The Greater Fool ventures with Gobright up the tallest heights, and follows him into his quietest, most solitary lows. The perpetual dirtbag and seeming anomaly to much of society, Gobright shines in spite of his many setbacks, injuries, and odds to overcome. From his numerous free-ascents up the mighty Too-tock-oh-noo-lah (El Capitan) to the toils of looking for love and a balanced life, The Greater Fool details the unique magic of Gobright's recipe on life. A recipe which, beyond its monastic rudiments and its spartan discipline, is tied, ultimately, to the purity of his heart, the singleness of his quest, and the lightness-that contagious buoyancy-with which he floats across the whole of the human experience. The Greater Fool follows Gobright up to, and beyond, his untimely passing, where he continues to challenge and inspire the community of outside seekers who fostered him along the way.
About the author
Alex Honnold, born on August 17, 1985, is a renowned American rock climber, distinguished for his unparalleled free solo ascents of colossal rock walls. His global acclaim skyrocketed in June 2017 when he achieved the unprecedented feat of free soloing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, scaling the 2,900-foot Freerider route at 5.13a grade. Described by the New York Times as "one of the great athletic feats of any kind, ever," this climb etched Honnold's name in history. He further solidified his legacy with the fastest ascent of the "Yosemite Triple Crown," completing the Mount Watkins, The Nose, and Regular Northwest Face of Half Dome link-up in a remarkable 18 hours and 50 minutes. In 2015, Honnold received the prestigious Piolet d'Or in alpine climbing for the Fitz Traverse in Patagonia, a five-day enchainment of the Cerro Chaltén Group. Alongside co-author David Roberts, Honnold penned the memoir "Alone on the Wall" (2015). His extraordinary achievements also inspired the 2018 BAFTA and Academy Award-winning biographical documentary, "Free Solo."
Summary
For as long as stories have been told, we’ve had a peculiar fascination with the wayward among us, with those we call the fools.
Our histories are flush with those who stand at the edge of reason, of those who see what others cannot. Among the archetypes, the Greater Fool holds a most special place within the canon. Standing there unphased after the dust and the punchlines settle, the Greater Fool is the one who hangs on when all others let go, the one who turns into the storm when all common sense and foot traffic points the other way. Where the world around them sees only an empty promise, the Greater Fool maintains there is yet worth to be discovered still.
Intrepid and unwitting as they may be, they’re also the ones we need. As irony would have it, in every Greater Fool there’s just enough magic to pull us back in their direction. Just enough light for truth to shine an arc of redemption. This is the story of Brad Gobright, one such anomaly who shined for us all a most special and unending light.
At the heart of this tale is Brad Gobright, an embodiment of the Greater Fool, whose story unfolds with an irresistible blend of intrepidness and unwitting magic. In a world often skeptical and driven by common sense, Gobright becomes the beacon turning into the storm when all signs point the other way. "The Greater Fool" reveals the enchanting paradox that lies within these individuals – the ones we need, who, in their pursuit, manage to infuse just enough magic and light to pull us into their extraordinary orbit. This narrative is a celebration of the unconventional, an ode to those who defy the odds, and a testament to the enduring light that shines even in the face of the most challenging circumstances.
