Punk in the Gym
£6.70£22.80 (-71%)
Andy Pollitt is as close to a Hollywood A-lister as the climbing world will ever get. He had the looks, and he starred in all the big roles in the 1980s and 1990s Tremadog, Pen Trwyn, the big Gogarth climbs, Raven Tor and the cult Australian adventures.
Alongside co-stars like Jerry Moffatt, John Redhead and Malcolm ‘HB’ Matheson, he brought us sexy climbing gone were the beards, the woolly socks and the fibre pile. Andy was all skin-tight pink Lycra, vests and brooding looks.
For those watching, Andy Pollitt had it all.
But Punk in the Gym gives us the whole truth.
The self-doubt, the depression, the drinking, the fags, the womanising, the injuries, the loss of a father and the trouble that brings, and a need for something for recognition, a release for the pain, and, for Andy, more drinking, more tears, bigger run-outs.
With nothing held back, Andy tells his roller-coaster story from the UK to Australia, exactly as it happened. Exposing his fragile ego and leaving us to laugh, cry, marvel and judge, this is a sports autobiography like no other.
The legendary routes are all here The Bells, The Bells!, Skinhead Moonstomp, The Hollow Man, Boot Boys, The Whore of Babylon and Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door. And the route that broke him and robbed the climbing world of its Hollywood star Punks in the Gym.
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by Samuel Peate
What a great read.
I was at Avon Gorge climbing with a mate (well standing by Vics chuck wagon) when Andy and Jerry walked up. This was the trip to Bristol Andy talks about.
One of them asked us the line of Lich Gates. We pointed it out.
My mate then said that was Andy Pollitt and Jerry Moffatt. I had not recognised them. We we all young then!!
They went off to do it and I think had finished before we had even walked to Sea Walls.
Steve
by Voice of reason
This is one of the very best bio’s by a climber and all his own word too, written with all his heart and soul. I couldn’t put it down it got me through several days of horrible winter flu. Never reached anywhere near the heights of these guys but utterly transfixed by the tales told. Thanks Andy
by Slumption
This auto-bio is up there in the high ‘E’ grades: (self-) effacing, entertaining, engaging, extreme… All those ‘E’ things and more. So much honesty with all the raw bits left in. Great read. Read it. Now. Preferably to the accompaniment of a Rolling Stones soundtrack. Makes you wonder, “Whatever happened to real climbing?”
by Paul Smith
best climbing book ever historic – funny – inspirational – depicts an era that will not be repeated, until truly professional climbers advance standards yet again. His standards were on-sight no bolts – this ethic has gone … pity about the booze and drugs as he would have been even better or worse ….
by Mr. S. Cook
It was a gift for climbing mad son, he is well pleased
by mary daniels
A good read, I climbed in Arapiles and know many of the routes so it was a nice reminder of my time there. There is a good explanation of the early wave of British sport climbers (Moon, Moffatt, Pollit) and an explanation of why Andy retired from the sport. Quite a colourfull character but then this was hinted at in the Arapiles guide….
by Ian Clayton
I bought this book for no other reason than I was in school with Andy and grew up in the same village. I knew he had done well in climbing but I got chatting to a young guy who recently joined our company. He told me he climbed at weekends and when I told him where I was from, he replied “You must know Andy Pollitt then?”, I realised then exactly how well Andy had done!
Some of us kids thought we were cool being able to climb the highest conker trees but then there was Andy – scaling quarries and mill walls for fun! I recently moved back to the village after 28 years away and as I write this review, I can see Ghost Canyon and Foel Hiraddug in the distance – some of Andy’s earlier ‘playgrounds’. Although there is some climbing jargon that I didn’t quite get as I’m not from a climbing background, the chronological story from growing up to quitting climbing, to enjoying a further successful career – and everything in between, was very enjoyable. How many people can say they were paid for doing a sport they loved and being one of the top athletes in that sport? Well done Andy – and just to let you know, I didn’t get this from a ‘reduced to clear bin’ – it cost me £7.00 on Kindle, and worth every penny 🙂
by Ian Clayton
This is without doubt the most beautifully laid out, edited and published book I have bought to date. I’d never heard of Andy Pollitt till recently listening to one of Andy Kirkpatricks Podcasts. I’ve read tonnes of mountain literature but not so much climbing focussed. This is a great insite into many different climbs were achieved. It also give an honest insite into Andy’s life, struggles and troubles. I enjoyed the book but found a difficult to follow in places. Would recommend and suspect it will be a thrilling read for anyone that has spent time climbing in the Peak District and Welsh hills.