5 comments about No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks.

1. I definitely enjoyed reading "No Shortcuts to the Top" over my winter break and about his Endeavor 8000 project. If you're into or like reading about high altitude mountaineering or just feel like hearing about someone's quest to finish a seemingly unattainable goal then check this book out.
   
   From an inspirational/life lesson/etc. point of view, I imagine hearing him speak would be more powerful.



2. Ed has had incredible experiences climbing tall mountains. Unfortunately his prose is unconvincing. A good editor could have vastly improved the book. Many of the passages that are meant to be humorous simply aren't. The numerous quotes from other people describing him as a great person, climber or as having had a big impact on them make Ed seem boastful.
   
   While the book tells the story of what happened including some very dramatic events, it somehow remains too factual to evoke strong emotions from me - I never felt like I was there. I also would have appreciated a little more technical discussion about critical decisions made during the climb rather than simply stating that he decided to turn back 300 feet from the summit.



3. This book was very interesing. I like reading about people who have climbed the highest mountains, and this book was very exciting.



4. This is a great book that will motivate you to achieve your goals. Ed Viesturs is a great american who sacraficed for numerous years to achieve his dream. This is a great book that will capture your imagination and hold your attention.



5. El relato de Ed es claro y continuo. Muestra cómo fue evolucionando su pensamiento y las motivaciones que llevaron a Ed a emprender la conquista de todos los ochomiles. El libro no entrega mayores tips técnicos, pero cuenta que tipo de personas son las que emprendes este tipo de empresas, los costos personales que implica y da un contexto de como afecta esto la vida de una persona.

5 comments about Beyond the Mountain.

1. Being of neither particular expertise in mountaineering or for that matter mountaineering books, I do read a lot, and find myself in the mountains quite a bit. Steve House's Beyond The Mountain is quite simply a gripping journey into part of the life of a committed and honest top athlete. Too often are those gifted with physical prowess equally lacking in coherent intellect and story telling ability. Quite the opposite in this case. House writes with eloquence, wit, and candor. Beyond The Mountain is not just an award winning mountaineering book--it's a great book period. I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys well written, interesting stories.



2. Great book. Steve attempts to explain why men and particularly himself, climb mountains. The routes he has completed are beyond my imagination. He brings the human side of relationships on and off the mountain to light. I could not put it down. I hope he keeps writing.



3. Winner of the 2009 Boardman Tasker Prize for Mountain Literature. Nanga Parbat book ends Steve House's climbing career with his early attempt on Nanga Parbat in 1990, and his successful ascent in 2005 with Vince Anderson of a new route on the extremely difficult Nanga Parbat Rupal Face Central Pillar, done in five days plus two down, in alpine style, making them winners of the famous Piolet d`Or that year.
   
   In between, Steve chronicles his climbs, including the unclimbed Denali Father and Son Wall in 1995, a new route solo on Denali Washburn Wall in 1996, the second ascent of the Barely Legal ice pillar in 1995, his harrowing escape from a crevasse on the Nant Blanc Glacier near Petit Dru in 1996, an attempt on the Emperor Face of Mount Robson in 1997, ascent of Howse Peak in 1999, attending Alex Lowe's funeral in October 1999, a 60 hour alpine push on the Denali Slovak Direct route in June 2000, a fast 25 hour ascent of the Mount Foraker Infinite Spur in 2001, an attempt on the Nuptse South Face in 2002, an attempt on Masherbrum and K7 in 2003, the third ascent of the Twin Tower in 2004, the second ascent of K7 in one single 42 hour push on his seventh attempt in 2004, a failed attempt on Nanga Parbat in 2004, and the North Face of Mount Alberta with Vince Anderson in 2008. There are 20 pages of colour photos, 60 pages of bw photos, and 3 maps.
   
   After climbing in Slovenia, House participated in his first attempt on Nanga Parbat on a Slovene expedition. trying the Schell Route. On July 31, 1990 Marija Frantar and Joze Rozman reached the summit via the Schell Route. After a failed attempt in 2004, House was back with Vince Anderson to attempt a new route on the extremely difficult 4100m Rupal Face in 2005. House switches back in forth in time from the ascent to the dangerous descent to the ascent as he highlights the challenge and success.
   
   Steve House and Vince Anderson reached the summit of Nanga Parbat via the 4100m Rupal Face on September 6, 2005. "Just before the top, I kneel in the snow, overwhelmed by emotion. Years of physical and psychological journey - to make myself strong enough, to discover whether I am brave enough all fold into this one moment. It seems sacrilegious to step onto the summit. ... frozen tears fall to the snow at my feet, becoming part of Nanga Parbat, as it became part of me so many years ago. ... In that moment, I understand that on the outer edge of infinity lies nothingness, that in the instant I achieve my objective, and discover my true self, both are lost." Steve and Vince became the first North Americans to win the Piolet d'Or for the first rapid alpine-style ascent of the Rupal Face of Nanga Parbat.
   
   House's writing is intelligent, honest, illuminating his progress as a climber and his innermost thoughts on the dangers of climbing. The stories are short and to the point, keeping them taught and interesting. The photos are very good and plentiful enough to help visualize the stories.



4. Steve would probably hate my title words as he's seems generally humble but, as a fellow ex-La Grande, Oregon inhabitant (Steve was one year behind me in high school) I'll gleefully play that card. There's a great photo in my senior yearbook showing Steve attached like a monkey to the side of a full-size van. One foot is on a tire, the other is on the frickin' roof. The kid was into it early!
   
   But back to "Beyond the Mountain". Absolutely bloody lovely to read in every sense. I say this about few books, the last being "With the Old Breed," but House's book is one that you can't stand to put down; you hate to get to the end of a chapter, much less the end! He's a damn good writer, and being in magazine publishing for 20 years, I've seen a few good writers in my day. I love his style. He puts the right words in the right order and the payoff is electric. I'll never stand on the summit of Nanga Parbat, or K7, or Denali, but "Beyond the Mountain" brings you, the reader, RIGHT THERE in vivid detail. It's really fun to read, and moving too. Tell me you don't get a bit teary-eyed reading about "Empty Chairs." Or describing how a person dies after having fallen into a crevasse (your body heat helps kill you...slowly and painfully).
   
   I also really like the personal side of every story. House readily admits and describes the emotions of fear, anger, focus, motivation, and the relative insanity of knowing that he (and possibly his climbing partner(s)) are making potentially foolish, even fatal decisions, while perched precariously on wind-savaged rock walls in sub-zero weather. In some ways it's like reading the classic war histories like "Old Breed" mentioned above, or "The Forgotten Soldier." Only a writer of House's caliber can bring such esoteric and hideously dangerous and unique situations such as soloing a new route (Beauty Is A Rare Thing) so naturally and easily to a reader's non-climber's mind.
   
   I can't say enough good things about "Beyond The Mountain." I loved it. I was much moved by the book. I recommend it to friends. It shall remain on my shelves and be read again. Well done, Steve!



5. Whether your an alpinist, hiker, or armchair adventurer you will really enjoy this book. Steve has left his mark again, not on a peak, but on the pages of this well written, captivating book. The reader gets to follow Steve on a progression of his life and climbs, spanning some of the most awe-inspiring climbs in modern history. Steve is refreshingly honest in the assesments of himself and the climbs he made, which is something not often found in todays over-hyped world. This is an important book.

5 comments about Peak.

1. This is the second book I have read on my Kindle. It is very well written and has a great storyline. The author's style was one of my favorites. Definitiely buy this book.



2. I have to read this book in 8th grade and it is so far a good book. Heres my review: When fourteen-year-old Peak Marcello's long-lost father presents the opportunity for them to summit Everest together, Peak doesn't eve consider saing no-even though he suspects there are a few strings attached. And if he makes it to the top before his birthday, he'll be the youngest person ever to stand above 29,000 feet. It's not a bad turn of events for a guy who's been stuck in New York City with only skyscrapers to (illegally) scale.
   Here, in Peak's own words, is the exhilarating, gut-a climb that changed everything. Welcome to Mount Everest.



3. I think Peak was a wonderful story but not my favorite. The good thing about this book is you can tell what a character looks like in your head. Because Roland Smith writes with so much detail not just for the characters but for everything else. In my opinion about Peak is that he's very determined. He also is really into what he loves which is climbing. Josh to me is very sneaky and selfish. The setting in this book was terrific! I mean you can't write a book about someone who loves to climb and have it not take place on Mount Everest! I also really like how the end is something that you definitely do not expect. Especially after all that he's been through on the journey up. I did take one star off my ratings though. Because I feel it really got boring at times. I wish I didn't feel this way. Otherwise it had so much detail that you feel like your actually with them!This book is definitely for people who like adventure and survival packed stories. Peak is a book that is a great realistic fiction story.I think the main themes of this book are trust, friendship, confidence, survival, and perseverance. You need all these things to get up Mount Everest! Peak is a really good novel. If your someone who loves survival stories Peak will leave you hanging off the edge of your seat wanting to read more!



4. I am a Roland Smith fan. I am interested in the outdoors, and adventure sports. I wanted to enjoy this book. Maybe I was expecting too much.
   
   I found many elements of the plot implausible and seemingly unplanned. I also spotted five or six editorial errors (grammar and typo issues) which was annoying.
   
   The book had its moments, most often filtered through Vincent or Zopa, but I doubt I would have finished this book as a teen or pre-teen intrigued by _My Side of the Mountain_, _Avalanche!_, _Cady Woodlawn_, and other tales where characters pushed themselves beyond the expectations of others, and reveled in the outdoors.
   
   I was happy with the final chapters, however.



5. Roland Smith did it again. He made an amazing novel named Peak. Peak is about a boy named Peak. Peak is famous climber Joshua Wood's son. Peak is about to face the challange of his life. Peak can be the youngest person on the summit of Everest!Only luck can help him now. My favorite part is when...oops I can't give that information. Peak has to defy the odds to win the challange. This was an amazing book. Everyone should read it. I give this 5 stars because it was packed with adventure and the author truly painted a picture in my mind.~Eagle

5 comments about Staying Alive in Avalanche Terrain.

1. If you want to know how avalanches happen, why they happen, and steps to avoid them, then this is the book. It won't make you an expert, but it will give you a solid foundation for future avalanche courses/education and also let you know what you don't know.
   
   The same slope could be perfectly safe one day, a death trap the next, or ambiguously in between. If you use the back country, it's worth it to know what's going on.
   
   Also, the author, Bruce Tremper & Utah Avalanche Center, has a channel on Youtube with some interesting stuff.



2. I took my Avy course 3 years ago, and before heading to the alps this past winter, bought this book to refresh.
   
   it is very well written, and brought back to memory everything I had learned in my course.
   
   Worth every penny.



3. Only up to page 128 the moment, but I find this to be an excellent text. One potential drawback, for those of us in the southern hemishpere (i'm in Australia), beginners like me are not too sure of its relevance here or in New Zealand, where I imagine the climates are vastly different to that of Canada and the US.



4. This is a phenomenal book. Clear, engaging, accessible, and thorough. Tremper helps you understand the science of avalanches, points out the key takeaways, and gives you decision-making criteria that statistics support. Written with a touch of humor to keep you on your toes if you're not a meteorologist. His first-hand experiences give this book all the street cred it needs, and then some.
   
   I'm glad I waited till after my three day avy class to read this because it helps a lot to have been in a snow pit, seen a fracture line, and learned the basic foundations already- it was still somewhat tangible when I began reading. That said, this book is the absolute necessary second half to that field education. I intend to reread it or reread my highlighted notes before every season.



5. at first i was really sceptic about buying this book because in some other reviews it was starred as 1.though i bought...i am a backcountry snowboarder in turkey and i climbed steep mountains alone and they were mostly without trees and anchors...hey you know what i found out after reading this book,i am alive by chance !! i am sure there are many like me,and please read this book you will better understand me after...easy reading and having fun while reading,comprehensive,vital infos,etc...

5 comments about Wilderness Medicine, Beyond First Aid, 5th Edition.

1. Dr Forgey provides assessment tips and treatment options for dozens of traumatic, infectious, and environmental ailments encountered outdoors. Recommendations for gear tend to focus on multi-purpose commodities. For example, Percogesic is listed as a possible treatment for muscle aches, a decongestant, or a sleeping aid. This outlook allows for an economical approach and also cuts down on pack weight. The author is quick to point to obvious and practical substitutions such as bandanas and duct tape for bandaging or sugar solutions as an antibiotic ointment. Also, the detailed medication recommendations are dividied into prescription and non-prescription categories, depending on the level of care being provided. Throughout the book the author tries to provide multiple treatment options dependent on the training and gear of the medic, referring frequently to the gear list in the back. Topics covered are numerous and detailed, with treatment ranging from the simple and mundane (vinegar on jellyfish tentacles) to the advanced (suturing techniques). Very happy to have it in my library.



2. I have purchased several editions of Dr. Forgey's excellent Wilderness Medicine book and I found this one a worthwile update. This book takes a step beyond simple first aid, to the sort of longer term support and treatment needed by those who travel beyond the reach of a 911 call. While no book is a repacement for hands-on medical or first aid training, this is an excellent supplement for the wilderness traveler.



3. good book to have for home as well .. received in good condition .. would buy from this seller again ..



4. Very interesting book. A little scary thinking about being on your own but if it gets to that this book will prove very useful



5. Thanks to you, I felt compelled to buy this book and also Medicine for the Back Country.
   
   I also went on the internet and downloaded the free pdfs of: "Backwoods Surgery (from 1910)", "When there are no Doctors" and "When there are no Dentists". I know, I know, those last two are for poverty stricken 3rd world countries. But.....uhhhh... I hate to break it to you charlie, but yeah, that's us now.
   
   Congratulations to the small government Republicans and Corporate Person-hood boosters. Between you, you've obliterated the middle class. You let insurance company shareholders decide which poor "subscriber" gets what level of medical care through their insurance carriers. You allowed insurance companies (in the name of profit) to hamstring the good doctors with crushing paperwork; requiring that each type of insurance be filed distinctly and separately, so they end up hiring so much clerical staff that clerks outnumber medical personnel 2 to 1. And the cost for paying those clerks to file insurance paperwork gets passed on to the now massively underemployed and "under-insured" public. As for the bad doctors, you let them scam the system over-charging for tests, procedures, medicines we never needed in the first place. You let drug companies and their lobbyist buy off the good graces of...well, just about everybody other than the poor saps who end up taking their poison, whether they needed in the first place or not.
   
   Doctors who stop accepting insurance for office visits and check-ups charge, on the average $30 to $40 dollars per visit. That, most people could afford, even without insurance. But nobody can afford insurance; unless you're soulless enough to work for an insurance company or for the government who seems intent on keeping them in business or for the drug companies.
   
   So, given that someone I know will almost certainly become sick or injured at some point in the future and given that most of them either no longer have insurance or won't be able to afford the emergency room, I'll probably be the one they turn to because they've made it clear that they trust me because they think I'm "good at this sort of thing".
   
   For all you Republican bastards and Libertarians/Anarchists who think that people should stop their whiny reliance on "Big Government" and take sole responsibility for their own family/health care/life, well, you are getting your wish. Unless you have a massive bank account or exceptional luck you are now in line to taste the bitter fruit of your twisted world view. And when you end up sick don't come crawling in my direction. I never took the Hippocratic Oath.

5 comments about Eiger Dreams: Ventures Among Men and Mountains.

1. Let me first preface by saying I have read all of Krakauers books and many other mountaineering stories. This book is not the best (Into Thin Air may be) but the reason it is a great book is because there is a certain diversity among all the different stories. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys and well written fun and interesting book.



2. Because I am not widely traveled it thrills me to run into a mention of someplace I have been so it was with great delight that I read about Wengen/ Kleine Sheidig(sp) and the train inside the Eiger I could honestly say
   " Been there done that " and it was a great book, as I find all of Jon's to be
   My most recent read was " Forget ME Not" by Lowe-Anker and again, when she wrote about her marriage to Anker ( it was held at Villa Maria in Ravello) and I had walked those cobble stone steps to the Villa just 18 months ago What a thrill and surely one of the most memorable books I have ever read.



3. This so called book is a collection of unrelated half baked stories, rumors and mountaineering gossip. This is exactly the kind of book anyone at any base camp of any mountain could write after one evening of listening to gossip. What a complete let down from "Into Thin Air". Never will I ever pay to buy any crap written by Jon "I think I can sell any crap because of 'Into Thin Air'" Krakauer.



4. Jon Krakauer knows how to make the world we know feel alien and exciting again. He knows that most of us will not be climbing K2 or Mount Everest in our lifetimes or landing a plane on a glacier during a whiteout. It isn't likely that we will recklessly risk our lives for the prestige of climbing a mountain a new way for the first time, or even for the quiet self-respect of challenging one's self physically, mentally, and spiritually. We will not live the unscripted life of the itinerant adventurer, eking out a living to pay for the next thrill. Yet these people exist, and instead of living lives of quiet desperation, they live deliberately.
   
   The collection of essays covers different yet related interests: mountain/ice/solo climbing, bouldering (surmounting low-altitude, seemingly smooth rock structures), glacier flying, cayoneering (combination of backpacking, swimming, and climbing), and others. The essays are often quite funny as well as exciting to read.
   
   I read Into the Wild and Into Thin Air before Eiger Dreams. I like all of these books and consider Into Thin Air to be the best written and crafted in terms of sensationalism and journalism. Into the Wild is great for it's chaotic structure--Krakauer's narrative splinters back and forth through time, alternately tacking to the main story only to break off into the author's personal experiences with the same intensity. It's clear in Eiger Dreams that Krakauer feels at ease writing essays, snippets of the life of an adventurer within editorial confines. I recommend all three books wholeheartedly.



5. I have read many mountain climbing books (I won't claim "most", because this is a prolific genre) and this is my favorite. It is a collection of John Krakauer's short stories from before he became famous by writing "Into Thin Air". These are gritty stories with a humor and adventure. I read it over and over and love it every time.
   
   My favorite short story is here "The Devil's Thumb" about the author's attempt to climb an obscure mountain in Alaska when he was younger. It is a humorous and enjoyable look into his head and most climbers will relate (this story is also in "Into the Wild"). "Eiger Dreams", the title story is equally enjoyable with some humorous anecdotes and historical vignettes about climbing the Eiger.
   
   These short stories of Mr. Krakauer's read quickly and hold your attention. This is the book to bring along on a trip, an approach, or to read in a tent. Laugh a little and enjoy climbing by someone who understands it.

5 comments about K2: Life and Death on the World's Most Dangerous Mountain.

1. I ordered this book because I have a casual interest in mountaineering, and it was written by David Roberts (I've previously read one of his books and thoroughly enjoyed it). I had actually never even heard of Mr. Viesturs, or K2 (shocking, I know!) before I picked up this book. So, for me, this was an introduction to both, and in that respect I feel it did its job splendidly. But if you are a fan of Ed, the mountain, or both, I can't see how you'd want to miss out on this one anyways.
   
   Basically, this book covers most of the major (and some not so) expeditions to K2 and throughout provides Ed's commentary on decisions, mistakes, or how he would have handled certain situations. I really enjoyed that aspect of the book, because I agree with his philosophy of the way mountaineering should be. He constantly repeats how important it is to work as a team, and to always put your, and others safety ahead of reaching the summit. It's not just about getting to the top; it's about the experience of climbing the mountain.
   
   Now, some reviewers have pointed out that all of these expeditions have been written about before, and that this book was rather unnecessary. I tend to disagree, because for those like me who are not familiar with the mountain, this is a great way to find out a lot about it without buying a lot of books. Also, as a few others have mentioned, some new details have come to light since some of these accounts were first told.
   
   All in all, I greatly enjoyed this book, and am now interested in reading more books by Ed Viesturs. For anyone who wants to know more about K2, or just can't get enough of it, this book is highly recommended!
   
   NOTE: Take a look at Amazon's interviews with Ed about the book; these will give you a very good idea of the topics discussed and the tone of the book.



2. I'm not a mountain climber, but being from the Seattle area I am quite familiar with Ed Viesturs and the fact that he is in the elite club of climbers to have scaled all 14 8,000M mountains in the world. Howerver, that is not what prompted me to read this book. I was discussing with a work colleague about challenges with two opposite and conflicting forces at work --- patience and impatience. He suggested this book because he said there was much to learn from Viesturs and the sport of mountain climbing on this topic. In that regard, "K2: L&D" delivered in spades, but it was fascinating for more than just that.
   
   This book recaps six seasons of climbing on what is probably the world's most challenging and dangerous mountain, including Viestur's first ascent of K2 in 1992. Others have complained that Viestur's essentially covers ground that other climbers have already covered in their books. While this is probably true, for a non-climber like me, I appreciated Viestur's summary of some of the more famous and tragic years climbing K2. I was never going to read a lengthy list of books by other climbers and a condensed account was sufficient to get enough depth for this reviewer. While the editing was not great --- there were plenty of redundant areas and parts that transitioned in odd ways, this book was thoroughly captivating. Viestur's paints dramatic differences between Everest and K2, most notably the greater risk inherent in K2 -- the ratio of summits/deaths is 19/1 for Everest but 4/1 for K2. Reading this book, you develop a keen sense that Viestur's has a healthy respect and awe for K2. While some may argue that he pats himself on the back quite a bit and is a bit cock, I'd be surprised if these weren't qualities most men and women who climb 8,000M mountains possess. You don't push your boundaries or nature's boundaries without having a healthy degree of self-confidence.
   
   Back to the reason I read this book. There certainly are lessons on patience/impatience to be learned from Viestur. Most decisions at high-altitude have life and death consequences and Viestur's has learned when the time is right to push for the summit and when reaching the summit is just not going to happen without exponentially increasing the odds that he won't survive. Clearly, he has found the right balance between these dichotomies.
   
   This is a fast and easy read and will leave you breathless in places. So grab your supplemental oxygen and be prepared for one death defying adventure on top of the world.



3. I was excited when I got the opportunity to review this book because of an interest in hiking and a fascination with dangerous hikes and climbs such as the infamous K2.
   
   It was my understanding that the author was a experienced climber of K2 and should provide a fascinating portrait of the mountain and of extreme danger. Unfortunately, I can't say this book was all that fascinating.
   
   The book is not written in a very gripping fashion, and all too often makes exciting events move too slowly. I often found myself kind of disinterested and struggling to finish the book.
   
   My test for books is always going to be does it sustain my interest over its length, and for whatever reason, this book failed in that regard.



4. I read this book only to realise that in the last chapter the 2 of us were on the summit of Mt Everest together in May of 2009.
   I have been reading mountaineering books for many years and finally decided to get active about my dreams and so set a target to get to the top of the highets point on earth.This book charts a similar goal.
   Viesturs has a great manner about his writting. By placing his climb into a historical context,not only are we climbing to top of K2 with him and his team but also sharing the journey and experience of those few who have survived to tell the tale.
   A great read.
   One for the mountaineer and those who just love mountains



5. Ed and Dave pull together an excellent story of the good and bad on K2 whilst drawing insightful connections to life far beyond the usual cliche mountaineering connections made by lesser adventurers. Read it!

2 comments about The Stonemasters: California Rock Climbers in the Seventies.

1. This is a large coffee table book detailing the climbing accomplishments of of a group of S California climbers that went on to be some of the best, most well known climbers of the last 30 years. A piece of history. Some of these stories have circulated for years by word of mouth in the climbing community. It's great to read them first hand by those who were actually there. The book is well written and hard to put down. Because most of the Photos are old they leave a little to be desired. However, all in all a great book that I will treaThe Stonemasters: California Rock Climbers in the Seventiessure.



2. 
   Having been initiated into the climbing world at about the same time and occasionally bouldering with a few of them (Stonemasters), this book brings back so many fond memories. Having climbed in the same locations, time period and being able to relive these memories, friendships and memories is great. I highly recommend this book. A must have and read.
   
   Russ Butner

5 comments about Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills.

1. This is a must have book. It covers all areas of climbing in great detail. Very happy and look forward to the 8th edition that will bring additions to new techniques developed in the last few years.The book arrived Super quick and I am an expat living in South Korea. Very happy!



2. The one and only mountaineering bible!
   
   Noobs- Start here!
   Read it cover to cover- Find a seasoned climber to show you the ropes- Welcome to your new way of life :-D



3. Great book, everything I expected it to be and more. Lots of knowledge in it, too much to learn in reading it once.



4. It's really not that complicated, if you are going to climb mountains you simply have to own this book. It is the most fundamental guide to mountain climbing skills that exists. Each skill is presented clearly and illustrated in such a manner that you can learn them safely and efficiently.
   
   I have led several groups of novices up Mt. Rainier. In each case, we start training 8-12 months before the climb and use this book as the textbook. Using the chapters on ice travel, glaciers, ropes, and techniques, we work through each technique with Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills as the guide, illustration and reference. They learn the way I did, using the experience of the masters over the years recorded by The Mountaineers.



5. This book is a must for any climber/outdoor enthusiast! It really is the bible of climbing! You wont regret this purchase.

5 comments about Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster.

1. If Krakauer's intention was to kill all of our romantic ideas about mountain climbing with this book, he undoubtedly succeeded. Whatever idealistic notions of bravery, athleticism, adventure, and brotherhood I had about this "sport", are now gone forever.
   
   What Krakauer delivers instead is a very tough picture of people who are ready to risk their lives and lives of those around them (guides, Sherpas, rescue workers) for the purpose of satisfying some masochistic macho aspirations of theirs or, even worse, to get some cheap fame. I now know that there is no sportsmanship or athleticism or fitness about these trips to the top of Everest. People kill their brain cells, they freeze off their body parts, they lose eye sight, they die, all for the privilege of standing on the top of the world for a few seconds. I never understood this achievement before, I understand it even less now, knowing the costs of it. Even more, what kind of an achievement it is, if everything is done for you - Sherpas build your camps, make your food, carry your baggage (including laptops, TVs, gourmet foods, and magazines), fix ropes for you to hang on, even haul you to the top if needed?
   
   But enough of ranting, time to talk about the book itself. I think Krakauer is a great non-fiction writer who manages to suck you into any story. Same goes for "Into Thin Air." It is a compelling book, more interesting in the latter part than in the beginning (once you pass 150-page mark, the book is virtually unputdownable). I personally would have preferred him to talk more about the trip and its difficulties rather than recounting everyone's back stories, but in the end, I have to admit, it adds certain relatability to the narrative. I also was afraid that he would spend a lot of time assigning blame to various players (including himself), but was pleased to see that he had learned from his "Outsider" article and came to the right conclusion that the Everest disaster was nobody's fault.
   
   Overall, a very interesting and in many ways eye-opening story, which in spite of being beyond my scope of interest, managed to hold my attention.



2. The pervasive biting cold that comes with extreme mountaineering cannot be escaped as the reader -- even knowing the tragic outcome -- greedily turns page after page to find out what happens next.
   
   Jon Krakauer's account of lives lost on the flanks of Mount Everest (which stands 29,028 feet high -- a number permanently etched into the reader's cortex) is no enticing travel brochure. Nearly every chapter is filled with some description of blood, vomit, pain, blindness, cold, frostbite. And there are new ailments specific to high-altitude life for the reader to absorb, ailments that deprive the brain of oxygen so severely that lucid thoughts and solid decisions become the exception rather than the norm.
   
   The description of Krakauer's time spent on the summit are particularly affecting. He does not write of glory or grandeur. He briefly mentions the peak (prayer flags, the Tibetan landscape below) and his actions (four snapshots of fellow climbers). And that's about it. This is not a book about being at the top of the world. This is a book about getting there. And even more importantly, about getting back.



3. Firstly I'd like to put forth my mountaineering credentials: They are absolutely non existent. Beyond knowing that mountain climbing involves ... well climbing mountains and vague ideas of ice axes, crampons and the like I've never climbed something higher than incidental slopes while bushwalking. But let me just say that while this book is largely uncluttered by technical jargon and stops well short of expanding upon the minutia of what happened on Mt Everest in 1996 this book is one heck of a read. Literally I devoured the thing. And then turned around and practically re-read it twice within the span of one week.
   
   Now the prose isn't going to win a Pulitzer. That isn't a criticism by the way, just a statement of fact. But what Mr Krakauer has managed to achieve here is to impart the feel of things, that indefinable X factor, and managed to convey it to the mountaineering layman such as myself. The author explains enough of the technical aspects to let the newcomer understand some of the pitfalls of such high altitude escapades and his personal knowledge and involvement in the events at hand allows him to impart real tension and first person drama to proceedings. Of course, I suppose some will find this very aspect somewhat damaging to the project - after all after such an event a person is going to have some issues trying to lay forth with the clearest account, but it's my gut instinct that unless you are after a dry-as-a-desert report style tome then this is pretty much your book for getting a handle on the low down of what went down during a harrowing few days at the top of the world.
   
   Topped off with some colour plates (at least in my edition) this book captured my imagination mainly due to the subject matter at hand but also the authors brisk style and his on-hand observations of the issues that affected both the ascent and the descent and the fact that the author is himself a climber means he doesn't fall into the trap of armchair moralising about in some sort of detached way. While he offers theories and suppositions he usually points out areas where he is using conjecture and all up... oh I'm sick of typing - just buy the book and enjoy a great yarn that never lets you forget that these were real people fighting for their lives.
   
   
   P.S - this is a product where you can sort of tell its quality by the level of criticism levelled at it. Go and read some of the one star reviews and they'll almost certainly make you want to buy this such are their pithy nature.



4. Krakauer's account of this tragic episode is very personal and compelling. I found the book hard to put down and was gripped by the human element that slowly and inescapably evolved into disaster. It's a book that you will think of long afterward and wonder about the "what-ifs." It's on my top ten list - I give it 5 stars.



5. I was looking forward to reading Into Thin Air, I love mountaineering and Mt. Everest, and the life & death struggles that come with it, and nothing like sad tragedy to make me feel...alive and thankful.
   I read this book in 2 days, but went from enthralled with the mountain drama to disappointed with Mr. Krakauer's growingly evident biases.
   
   I wish he could have been more objective, and less self-serving.
   Once I sensed his own selfishness coming through the accounts of this journey, the book and his writing turned me off, completely.