Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #161179 in Books
• Published on: 2003-04-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Customer Reviews

A collection of articles by a leading American activist
The book is a collection of articles published previously in climbing magazines. However they have never all been universally available and the have been edited to ensure not upsetting individuals or advertisers. This volume brings them all together with no cuts. They all have an author's note, detailing the thoughts behind each article. It is well written and does not contain any of the dry descriptions of events that some expedition books have.

The book is based in the Alps, Himalayas and North America. They revolve around his experiences as a result of his method of climbing - carrying little gear, no real bivi equipment and as a result of this virtually non-stop climbing.

In some ways it is rather disturbing, how can a man who has had 40 friends die as a result of climbing, had broken relationships as a result of climbing and has limited contact with his family as a result of climbing --keep on climbing? He is clearly very talented - most of his new climbs in the Alps have not had a complete second ascent. What comes across is that he has a burning desire to climb, almost at the result of anything else. It is as if by writing he is finding a release about some of the events in his life.

Great read
Really enjoyable read for anyone with an interest in mountaineering. A collection of short stories and magazine articles which have been recycled. Although it is not as good as his other book because of the lack of flow it is well worth reading.