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The Wildest Dream: Mallory - His Life and Conflicting Passions [Paperback]

Peter Gillman (Author), Leni Gillman (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

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Book Description

Publication Date: 3 May 2001
In 1924, George Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine disappeared during a valiant bid to reach the world's highest summit. In May 1999 Mallory's body was found, partly resolving the riddle of whether they succeeded in their bid, 29 years ahead of Hillary and Tenzing.

Peter and Leni Gillman assess the motives and goals of this inspirational yet complex figure, whose life was dominated by his two conflicting passions: his love for his wife Ruth, and Everest - forbidding, unclimbed, 'the wildest dream', as he called it. Drawing on family letters and helped by surviving members of the family, Peter and Leni Gillman present a powerful and affecting portrait of a man torn between competing desires, and the fatal choice he ultimately made.

Product details

  • Paperback: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Headline; 2 edition (3 May 2001)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0747264589
  • ISBN-13: 978-0747264583
  • Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 3.2 x 19.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 236,968 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Peter Gillman
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Review

'A finely wrought and meticulously detailed biography of Mallory ... It is at once compelling and evocative' (Joe Simpson, author of TOUCHING THE VOID )

'A rich portrait of a man who defies facile categorisation ... The new biography is spot-on [about the climbing]' (Stephen Venables, Daily Telegraph )

'The Gillmans have produced a respectful and thoroughly researched account of Mallory's life' (Observer )

'This exemplary biography of Mallory, which draws upon much new material, puts the man in all his many perspectives... Strikingly well balanced' (Jan Morris, Spectator )

'It is a masterful achievement - impeccably researched, beautifully written and a delight to read. Without question the Gillmans have written a definitive biography of an utterly fascinating man' (Jon Krakauer )

'A poignant story, handsomely told' (Yorkshire Post )

'The most compelling read over 12 months ... Go out and buy it' (Ian Wooldridge, Daily Mail )

'Mountaineering biography at its best ... A fascinating life, an interior journey coupled with exterior adventure, and well told, too' (Chris Smith, Mail on Sunday )

About the Author

Peter Gillman has been a writer and journalist since 1964. He is the author of a dozen books and has won a record five awards. He has written several books with his wife Leni.
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
13 reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 27 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Admirable 9 Mar 2003
By simon cave
Format:Paperback
In a bookshop I idly picked this book up because I remembered vaguely that George Mallory had been to the same college as me and I wanted to read a description of him there. I have never been climbing and had always thought it an odd thing to do. Within a short space of time I became intrigued and then, at home, entranced by it, reading it twice straight off.

Why is it so good? It's beautifully-marshalled in terms of the material, the pace is right and the writers make it very clear what kind of man he was and what drove him. I found the accounts of the Everest attempts and the accompanying photographs absolutely haunting. Mallory and his colleagues stayed in my mind for a long time afterwards, and I have begun to understand something of the fascination with mountains. What more could you want from such a book?

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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An account of extraordinary strength and emotion 3 July 2000
By julie_steele@bigfoot.com
Format:Hardcover
Peter and Leni Gillman have succeeded in capturing the true character of one of the greatest mountaineering legends of all time. This book is beautifully researched, meticulously chronicled and yet the narrative is fresh and compelling. If you want to read beyond the sensational accounts of the 1924 Everest expedition and find out more about the real George Mallory then consider this stunning biography and remarkable story.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An intelligently-written biography 15 Nov 2007
By Secret Spi TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Format:Paperback
I became interested in George Mallory when his body was discovered on Everest in 1999. I think that almost everyone knows his most famous quote: "Because it's there", but at school we learned about the 1953 expedition and Hillary and did not really touch on previous attempts at Everest.

This book is superby well-written and gives the reader real insight into Mallory and what drove him. As one reads, one can almost feel the charisma of Mallory himself. Not only was he an excellent climber but he was also accomplished at many other sports, a writer and took great interest in subjects as wide-ranging as art/literature, nature and politics. I find it quite intriguing to think that he may have been the inspiration for George in E.M.Forster's "A Room with a View."

The parts of the book describing George Mallory's climbing expeditions are perhaps the most gripping. I found the last few pages almost unbearable to read, knowing what was to come. And, after I finished the book, it really did keep me wondering - not just if Mallory and/or Irvine did reach the summit, but what was going through Mallory's head in his last few hours.

The only section of the book that I felt slightly uncomfortable with was the part relating George's possible affair/s while at Cambridge. Part of this was me feeling rather sorry for George as one gets the feeling that he was somewhat out of his depth here. Many young people have affairs or relationships in their youth that they may well regret later. While mention of this phase of George Mallory's life belongs in a biography, I could have done with slightly less detail. In contrast, the relationship between George and Ruth is beautifully portrayed - and illustrated via their letters.

This is a book to read if you are interested in mountains - of course - but also for anyone who is interested in the psychology of human endeavour.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars The wildest Dream ( not received
Cannot rate this book yet as it hasn't been received. Got the dvd but the book is elusive at the moment
Published 6 days ago by June Raynor
5.0 out of 5 stars A man who personified an era
I've been fascinated by Mallory for years. I'm also fascinated by the history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Read more
Published 3 months ago by N. Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
This book is a masterpiece of, firstly a fantastic amount of intensive research, and also very well written. Could not put it down, even though I knew the outcome
Published 4 months ago by mr john m wood
5.0 out of 5 stars Secret gift
Cannot write a review aeeived in good time well wrapped not unwrapped yet as is also a Christmas gift from the children
Published 5 months ago by P A Wise
5.0 out of 5 stars Great book about a fascinating character
Really enjoyed this book. Intrigued by the whole Mallory story and wanted to know more about the man. This book did the trick. excellent srvice form the supplier
Published 9 months ago by Andy and Jenny B
4.0 out of 5 stars A Beautifully Paced Biography of One of Climbing's Greats
Peter and Leni Gillman have produced a beautifully paced biography about one of climbing's greatest enigmas, George Mallory. Read more
Published 15 months ago by John Dexter
5.0 out of 5 stars Riveting
I bought this book after being completely compelled to find out more about Goerge Mallory and Andrew Irvine's ill-fated Everest attempt in 1924. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Dunkerpup
5.0 out of 5 stars The Wildest Dream
I have been waiting several years for a biographical study of Mallory-the man as well as the mountaineer, and this is superb. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Artemistica
4.0 out of 5 stars The Wildest Dream
Still on my quest to learn as much about George Mallory - this book seems to cover the known facts whilst at the same time trying to give as much of an insight into the person as... Read more
Published on 11 Aug 2010 by S. Pattison
5.0 out of 5 stars George Mallory, more than just a mountaineer
This biography of George Mallory should satisfy anyone who wants to know anout his Everest exploits and the fatal final expedition there, as well as his pioneering involvement in... Read more
Published on 9 Jun 2009 by C. Cowan
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