This is Robinson’s (The Ministry for the Future) first nonfiction book, but it is not a stark departure from his award-winning science fiction. Climate change and its consequences, as well as environmental activism, have regularly featured in Robinson’s novels, so it is not surprising at all that hiking and the Sierra Nevada mountain range are the focus here. After one reads this, it actually seems that in order to fully understand Robinson and his science fiction, it’s almost necessary to read his nonfiction. Robinson narrates the audiobook and vividly describes how time and geology shaped the Sierras, and the Sierras in turn shaped him, his friends, and other important historical figures who have had the good fortune to spend time exploring them. VERDICT This would be a good addition to any memoir or travel collection, but it’s also a fun “armchair” hiking experience for those who typically don’t care for outdoor sports. Pair the audio with the text version, which contains photographs and other supplemental materials to enhance the reading experience.