Product Description

This is a collection of 15 accounts of expeditions to the world's most famous peaks, often in appalling conditions. It includes the tales of climbers such as Robert Bates, Peter Boardman, John Climaco, Art Davidson and Maurice Herzog, and the experiences of Jon Krakauer and David Roberts.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #248383 in Books
• Published on: 1999-10-25
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 342 pages

Customer Reviews

Short stories that has you stuck to you seat
I would love to give it 5 stars but its very frustrating when you finish a passage and you NEED to know the continued journey in the original book. Now I am thinking "I must buy the books". Generally liked it very much and am finding, its easy to get addicted to these type of stories/books.

Best Introduction to Climbing Literature available!
This book's strongest point is that the editor has put together some of the most gripping excerpts from the very finest pieces of climbing literature. It may be read as a book in itself, or as a pointer to other climbing greats. To risk using a cliche, this book IS essential reading for all armchair adventurers (and those who leave the armchair from time to time).

Where's the return to base camp?
I enjoyed this book, and read it in one day, pouring through the various chapters and one tragedy to the next. My only complaint is that many of the chapters were excerpts from other books, and the stories sometimes felt unfinished. Those excerpts would cover the hit (or near miss) of the summit, then cover some sort of trial to the participating climbers. The climbers may or may not survive the trial, and then that would be the end of it. I actually craved a little bit more of the post-expedition soul-searching.