Watching a writer at work can be pretty boring stuff. Writing utensil in one hand, reporter's notebook in another, or maybe a digital recorder. Talking to interviewee, nodding head in understanding. How exciting is that?

Not very, and that's why you don't see many books called Stories Behind The Pencil. Photographers, on the other hand, action sports photographers in particular, are another story. That's what makes Corey Rich's book so interesting.

Just look at the cover image to the left of these words. A climber in a tent dangling from El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, with another dangling from a rope. Crazy, right? Oh, and don't forget to imagine where the photographer was to capture this shot.

Those are the kinds of shots that fill the pages of this book, which Rich uses both to explain his maturation as an action photographer and amaze us with his images.

Stories Behind the Images is a culmination of a passion that was first instilled in me when I was thirteen years old, climbed my first real rock climbs, and picked up my first camera. What it has become is a testament to the power of adventure and creativity -- and the fact that owning a camera is a pretty damn great excuse to go out there, explore the world, and start collecting stories of your own. -- Corey Rich

Turn the pages of this nearly 300-page book and you'll find images of athletes immersed to their ears in powdery snow, clinging to rock faces, dancing on rapids, and other endeavors from the outer edges of human adventure. No doubt most of us would feel safest as "armchair athletes" simply turning the pages of this book and admiring what the daring have done.

But...the book also could serve as inspiration for more than a few to get out there and see how far we can push our own limits, realizing that we likely are not world-class athletes but still have some boundaries we can stretch just the same. 

Aging is not always kind. Bones get brittle, lumbar discs can bulge and herniate simply from years of supporting us, tendons lose some of their suppleness. That all can slow us down, but it doesn't always have to stop us. We just have to be more realistic about our limitations.

Flipping through Rich's book can help you frame your choices. And teach you a little bit about photography in the process, too.