The Greater Fool: Brad Gobright and the Blinding Shine of Originality - by Lucas Roman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"A page-turning look inside the extraordinary life of Brad Gobright, the last of a dying breed of wild and free adventurers, and one of America's great climbing legends."

--Cedar Wright

"The Greater Fool tackles "the impossibility of being," using as its apologist the seminal adventurer, Brad Gobright. The fact that Roman pulled this off, with such depth and humanity, is one of many reasons to read this fascinating book." --John Long

"In these pages we begin to understand the passion of being in these wild and unforgiving places." --Conrad Anker

About the Author

Brad Gobright was an American climber known for free solo climbing. He was born in Orange County, California, and began climbing when he was six. Gobright dropped out of college and worked odd jobs to finance his climbs and travels.

On November 27, 2019, Gobright fell to his death on the El Sendero Luminoso climb at El Potrero Chico in Mexico. The accident happened while simul-rappelling, a technique in which two climbers descend opposite strands of an anchored rope, down the face of El Sendero Luminoso with his partner after the pair had completed a quick climb of the face.