First of all, I can't believe that anyone would risk their life by walking on a wire between the twin towers (5/8 of an inch of wire, to be exact)!! I think what really stands out to me in this book each time I read it is the fact that Petit never gave up his dream of proving to people that he could accomplish such a dangerous, yet thrilling feat of walking between the Twin Towers.
I wonder what other major accomplishments Petit accomplished on the wire are, and presently, if he still performs to this day...
When researching my wonders, I found that Petit's other major high-wire performance was one year before the Twin Towers. In 1973, he walked a wire rigged between two north pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Petit Also, Petit's last "performance" was an inclined walk, 14 stories high, for The Late Show with David Letterman.
I wonder what other major accomplishments Petit accomplished on the wire are, and presently, if he still performs to this day...
When researching my wonders, I found that Petit's other major high-wire performance was one year before the Twin Towers. In 1973, he walked a wire rigged between two north pylons of the Sydney Harbor Bridge in Sydney, Australia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_Petit Also, Petit's last "performance" was an inclined walk, 14 stories high, for The Late Show with David Letterman.
Wow, Amy. I had the same question...here's what I found!! - Jake
ReplyDeleteSo, Amy--I liked what you wrote and I clicked on the wikipedia post about Petit. And though I didn't see the judge's name--which is what I really wanted to know--I did read the policeman's description of Petit's performance. He used the word "spellbound" and I love that even the authorities were able to get caught up in the performance!
ReplyDelete--Nicole
I love this book and it is a part of my collection. The first time I read it I cried because I was sad that the twin towers are gone. Now when I read the story it still makes me a little sad but, I also have the strong feeling of being grateful that Philippe Petit gave us a wonderful memory of the towers that no one will ever take away. I wonder how many crazy stunts like this he has pulled in his lifetime. Amy Stewart
ReplyDeleteAlso, there's a novel that includes Petit's performance--Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann...I might have a spelling error there...
ReplyDeleteNicole