“The Gap Years is engaging, exciting, and revelatory—an adventure story that will take the reader to some of the remotest places in the world and yet remains grounded in the more familiar terrain of the human heart.” 

“It's not too late for extraordinary adventure! Tom French makes a compelling case that trying hard things when you’re older offers different rewards than in one’s youth—this is a beautiful account that will almost certainly get you out the door!”

“An inspiring and thrilling account of a quest to fulfill the dreams of youth and summit the most challenging mountains of the world, from Mount Washington to Aconcagua to Everest. A story not just about the power of determination, but more importantly about the restorative power of the outdoors.” 

“Tom takes us on an inspiring journey and so much more in his beautifully written book. He has penned a mountain climber’s white-knuckle thriller all the while closely examining the arc and purpose of life. To read it is to be moved!” 

“In The Gap Years, French shows it's never too late to reignite old passions. His journey is a powerful reminder that age is no barrier to rediscovering what truly makes us feel alive.”

“In The Gap Years, French embarks on a profound journey that resonates with anyone who has ever felt the pull of their passions amidst the demands of life. This inspiring exploration of aging, adventure, and self-discovery reminds us that it’s never too late to reconnect with the dreams that define us.” 

“French has provided conclusive proof that sixty is the new forty. The Gap Years is a tremendous adventure story and vibrant travelogue. It is also a poignant and sensitive insight into one man’s efforts to balance family and occupational commitments with a life-long passion for testing himself on some of the world’s highest mountains.” 

“Joy floods Tom’s life and his writing; with climbing logistics and impossible weather, with friendships built with fellow climbers, guides, and Sherpas. He writes for himself, but also for those who prefer the proverbial armchair to read what it took to descend Everest’s Lhotse face in a snowstorm, or to stand on Cholatse’s summit in bright sunshine.”

“As French returns, at age sixty, to the Nordic trails of New England and the peaks of the Himalayas, he reminds us that the most elegant outdoor journeys always end where they begin. The Gap Years is a riveting must-read for any mountain athlete wishing to keep the fire burning.” 

“As a veteran of fifteen Everest expeditions I was moved by Tom’s description of this special region of Nepal. The Gap Years allows armchair adventurers a glimpse into climbing and skiing at the highest level, while chasing the zeal of youth.” 

“A gripping story of high-altitude mountaineering, competitive cross-country skiing, and real-life risk; in a multiyear quest pursuing life’s dreams head on without regrets. Tom highlights the importance of knowing ‘why!’” 

“In The Gap Years, French shares an inspiring tribute to what draws us to the mountains, and to why we need to protect them for future generations.” 

“The Gap Years takes us on a captivating journey from corporate boardrooms to the summits of the highest mountains of the world. Along the way, it vividly confirms how much meaning and joy remain to be discovered in the latter chapters of our lives.” 

“The Gap Years is an inspiring tale of one man’s rediscovery of the physicality that once defined him.” 

“A riveting personal adventure story.”

“A skilled storyteller, French redefines what retirement can look like. Recommended for outdoor enthusiasts, cross-country skiers, and mountaineers, plus older readers who will be inspired to reacquaint themselves with past interests and embrace new experiences in their golden years.”