This book investigates the origins and evolution of Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) within the context of the burgeoning American recreational climbing movement. Author Harvey Manning, a seasoned expert in hiking and climbing literature, utilizes his personal connection to the organization and archival records to document the company's transformation from a niche cooperative into a global sporting goods entity. The text argues that the company's growth is inextricably linked to the broader cultural shift toward outdoor recreation in the mid-twentieth century.

Experts and long-term members recognize this work as a foundational historical document for understanding the cooperative's early culture and influence. Readers frequently note the accessible prose style, which balances corporate milestones with the personal narratives of the climbing community.