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The Ascent of Rum Doodle (Unabridged)
 
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The Ascent of Rum Doodle (Unabridged) [Audio Download]

by W. E. Bowman (Author), Terry Wale (Narrator), Bill Bryson (Narrator)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Audio Download
  • Listening Length: 4 hours and 16 minutes
  • Program Type: Audiobook
  • Version: Unabridged
  • Publisher: Random House AudioBooks
  • Audible Release Date: 3 Jun 2011
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B00550HN0U
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

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Product Description

First published in 1956, The Ascent of Rum Doodle quickly became established as mountaineering classic. As an outrageously funny spoof about the ascent of a 40,000-and-a-half-foot peak, many thought it inspired by the 1953 conquest of Everest. But Bowman had drawn on the flavour and tone of earlier adventures, of Bill Tilman and his 1937 account of the Nandi Devi expedition. The book's central and unforgettable character, Binder, is one of the finest creations in comic literature.

©1989 W. E. Bowman; (P)2010 Random House Audiobooks
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I bought this book in an attempt to cheer myself up amist a depressing work load.

After a good introduction I went over the first chapters stepping carefully and curiously observing whether this was what the cover promised.

The books grows on you because it not a simple attempt to assemble a host of funny jokes. But better, it is the brilliantly crafted caracters that you get to know that will crack you up. These characters are revealed bit by bit through every tongue-in-cheek incident that takes place in the course of their (parody of an) expedition.

I tried to read this in the tube only to find that my laughter became a scene. So I went and retreated to Hampstead Heath to get the peace to read it.

Truly uplifting and funny.

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
You will laugh! 29 Oct 2001
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I'm not a climber, but I do enjoy humour - the drier the better - and I love this book. I first read it 15 years ago and have just re-bought it for myself as an early Christmas present. It's a very gentle, deadpan tale of disaster that I've regularly found myself re-reading over the years. Treat yourself to a laugh. You won't be disappointed.
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23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
A little gem 17 Aug 2004
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I was a little wary when this book was recommended to me, but it is undoubtedly one of the funniest books I have ever read. Even the jokes which seem a little too obvious at first (such as the team's navigator becoming lost en route to the planning meeting) are really just plants for an ongoing series of gentle running gags which are developed wonderfully. The writing is superb and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a dry sense of humour. There are so many little comments and observations that the book is as funny if not funnier every time you read it. Excellent.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Ascent of Rum Doodle
At the end of a trek, I spent a couple of days in Kathmandu. My introduction to The Ascent of Rum Doodle was in an eating-place named after the book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Richard
I'd rather doodle
Very disappointed. Having read mostly favourable reviews I bought it in Kindle. I felt I was missing the joke or jokes throughout the book. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Mr. D. R. Goodman
An uphill struggle
Bill Bryson claims this is 'one of the funniest books you will ever read'. The spoof account of a climbing expedition to the Himalayan peak of 'Rum Doodle' is declared to be a lost... Read more
Published 16 months ago by C. Young
Rum Doodle
Such a shame that this author was not 'discovered' early enough to write more books. The humour may not be appreciated by everyone, it is quite out of left field, but it is the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by J. Livsey
An Epic and Very British Conquest of "The Queen of Snows".
As the great Totter once said "To climb Mont Blanc by the Grepon route is one thing; to climb Rum Doodle, is quite another". Read more
Published 16 months ago by Bob Salter
I don't have the patience for farce
This farce is amusing for a short while, but before long, while recognising how clever the author is being, it quickly becomes tedious and I want to scream "stop being so stupid". Read more
Published 18 months ago by Stephen Dawson
The Ascent of Rum Doodle
Lovers (like me) of Three Men In A Boat will appreciate the similar quirky humour of this delightful book. The cook, in particular will not fail to make you smile. Read more
Published 21 months ago by woozle
A gem
I haven't laughed this much since first reading 'Three Men in a Boat'. Written over half a century ago, 'The Ascent of Rum Doodle' is still fresh, original, funny and spectacularly... Read more
Published on 13 Mar 2010 by AS
The funniest read ever?
Bill Bryson claims this is one of the funniest books ever. Quite so - for some. Of 5 people I know who have read this, 3 reckoned it was just that. Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2010 by Gordon Old
Delightfully Silly, Deeply Funny.
This book manages to be simultaneously funny, silly and clever. It is an account of an expedition to climb Rum Doodle - the highest mountain in the world. Read more
Published on 20 July 2009 by SCM
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