Set to a backdrop of several rock climbing and mountaineering venues, this book commences in the Todhra Gorge of Morocco, and includes slate climbing in North Wales, winter on Ben Nevis, climbing walls and competitions, Fontainebleau, the Alps and Himalaya, and vignettes of the gay scene in London and Paris.

Rope Boy is the story of Dennis Gray, a young lad from Leeds who gets his first taste of rock at age eleven, and goes on to become a prominent figure in the UK climbing scene for decades to come. Gray's climbing career began with the 'Bradford Lads', climbing in Yorkshire, Scotland and Wales, exploring classic crags such as Clogwyn Du'r Arddu, tentatively venturing into an exciting new game, and inspired by the pioneering Arthur Dolphin. Just as the scene was rapidly developing in the 1950s, so was Gray's desire to climb, and he was soon climbing with the Rock and Ice legends Joe Brown, Don Whillans and Nat Allen, among others, making first ascents such as North Crag Eliminate on Castle Rock in the Lake District and Grond on Dinas Cromlech in Wales. Larger objectives beckoned, and Gray embarked upon multiple expeditions to the Alps as well as to the Himalaya, the Andes, and America, making numerous first ascents along the way including the north ridge of Alpamayo in Peru's Cordillera Blanca, and Mukar Beh in the Kulu valley of India. Rope Boy relays times of frustration, adventure and success, and the hilarious and dauntless friends with whom Gray shared his experiences. Dennis Gray's transformation from rope boy to expedition leader is an inspiring and encouraging tale of one boy's journey into adulthood via a world of rock, snow and ice.

The devastating impact of alcohol on indigenous populations is well known, but debate often overlooks the broad context of the problem and the priorities of indigenous people themselves. This book provides readers with a coherent explanation of alcohol misuse among indigenous peoples in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Written with the desire to improve the level of informed debate and lead to constructive action, the book argues that our understanding of alcohol misuse needs to be reconceptualized and structural inequalities addressed.

A collection of funny and sad and tragic stories from a guy that worked in the hotel business for 25 years.