Alain Robert spent his youth on the unforgiving cliffs of southern France, climbing with his bare hands, with no ropes for protection. In 1982 he fell head-first onto solid rock, suffering a five-day coma and multiple fractures. He was told he would never climb again. But this didn't stop him. In 1994, he climbed his first skyscraper, in Chicago, and the 'Human Spider' was born. Warning: this gripping autobiography may induce serious vertigo.

Overcoming vertigo — and countless injuries which left him officially 60% disabled — the 'Real Spiderman' has scaled over 70 skyscrapers worldwide: from the Petronas Towers in Malaysia to Taipei 101, from Chicago's Sears Tower to Canary Wharf in London. Reward and punishment have been received in equal measure — the flamboyant Frenchman has gained international fame and raised thousands of pounds for charity, but has also been arrested, beaten and prosecuted.Many people ask whether...