Mechanical Advantage, Volume 2 - Tools for the Wild Vertical

In this review of Mechanical Advantage, Volume 2 the focus is on readers who care about the historical and engineering side of big wall climbing; the book is aimed at climbers, gear historians, and anyone curious about how tools shaped standards in the vertical world. John Middendorf approaches the subject from an engineered tools perspective, offering researched articles that trace North American developments up to the 1930s while keeping a global view. The single biggest reason to buy is the book's deep, research-driven narrative that links equipment evolution to changing attitudes about artificial aids in climbing.

Key Features

• Historical perspective: Presents a focused survey of North American climbing developments to the 1930s with context that helps readers understand technical change.
• Engineered tools perspective: Examines climbing tools as engineered artifacts, clarifying why certain devices altered standards and techniques.
• Global framing: Although centered on North America, the writing maintains a global viewpoint, making comparisons across regions more meaningful.
• Research origin: Material was developed from rough draft articles on bigwallgear.com, offering a traceable research lineage for curious readers.
• Part of a series: Volume 2 is the middle of a planned three-volume set, which benefits readers who want a broader chronological collection.

Who It's For

Mechanical Advantage, Volume 2 is best for experienced climbers, gear historians, and serious enthusiasts who value technical explanation over narrative adventure. Those who study the evolution of climbing standards or who design or repair traditional big wall gear will find the engineered focus particularly useful.

Readers seeking a beginner's how-to manual, a photographic coffee-table book, or a modern guide to current technical gear should look elsewhere; this volume is research-driven and historical rather than an illustrated equipment primer or up-to-the-minute buyer's guide.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Deep research grounds the discussion of how tools influenced climbing standards, which aids critical understanding.
• Clear emphasis on engineered tools gives a unique angle compared with general climbing histories.
• Part of a multi-volume project, so readers get continuity and broader context across eras.

Cons

• Material originates from rough draft articles and reads more academic and technical than narrative, which may not suit casual readers.

Specifications

Title	Mechanical Advantage, Volume 2 (Australia edition)
Subtitle / Focus	Tools for the Wild Vertical; North American developments to the 1930s
Author	John Middendorf
Series	Planned three-volume set (Volume 2)
Source material	Research articles originally posted on bigwallgear.com
Perspective	Engineered tools with a global viewpoint

Our Verdict

Mechanical Advantage, Volume 2 is a focused, research-rich look at how climbing gear and attitudes about artificial aids developed in North America and beyond. Serious climbers and gear historians will appreciate the engineered tools perspective and the continuity within a planned series; casual readers or those seeking modern gear guidance may find it too specialized for light reading.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume cover global developments or only North America?
Answer. The volume emphasizes North American developments to the 1930s but is written with a global perspective and comparisons to other regions.

Is this a practical gear manual?
Answer. No, the book is historical and research-driven rather than a step-by-step gear or technique manual for modern climbing.

Is this part of a larger series?
Answer. Yes, it is Volume 2 of a planned three-volume set, so readers interested in a broader chronology should look for the other volumes.