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Book Description
'The defining thing about climbing is that it kills you. Not many people publicly question the fatality rate because it opens up a very nasty Pandora's box. People feel uncomfortable and think, no, no it's not like that. But you only have to look at the facts.' Joe Simpson
Product Description
Climbers who court danger in the world's highest places risk far more than just their own skins. When tragedy strikes, what happens to the people who love them? Why would anyone choose to invest in a future with a high-altitude climber? What is life like in the shadow of the mountain? Such questions have long been taboo within the international world of mountaineering. Now Maria Coffey breaks this silence. She recounts climbers' stories of near-death experiences, and gives a voice to the families and loved ones of Chris Bonington, Ed Viesturs, Anatoli Boukreev and Alex Lowe, amongst many other famous names. Her riveting narrative weaves tales of adventure with first-person accounts of the people left behind, highlighting the conflicting beauty, passion and devastation of this alluring obsession. (20030513)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
This book provides as lucid as possible insight into living and having relationships with those driven to participate in the dangerous game of high altitude mountianeering and extereme climbing. Maria was well placed to record and write such a book having lived with Jo Tasker during heady days of climbing in the UK in the 1970's.
The book only in part tells the story of the adventures of these people. More it explores the emotional trials of those left at home while the adventurers are away, the passionate highs of their returns and reveals their deepest grief when they are lost to the mountians. The many accounts of the all consuming obsession, the acknowledgement list is astonishing, will reveal untold sides of the famous names of this sport, Bonnington, Scott, Lowe, Boukreev, Viestures, Boardman, Harlin ......., and if you climb too, undoubtedly you will come to question the choices you have made playing the climbing game.
A Banff Mountain Literature Award winning book, reading and experiencing this will complete a literary circle in Mountainering.
The book only in part tells the story of the adventures of these people. More it explores the emotional trials of those left at home while the adventurers are away, the passionate highs of their returns and reveals their deepest grief when they are lost to the mountians. The many accounts of the all consuming obsession, the acknowledgement list is astonishing, will reveal untold sides of the famous names of this sport, Bonnington, Scott, Lowe, Boukreev, Viestures, Boardman, Harlin ......., and if you climb too, undoubtedly you will come to question the choices you have made playing the climbing game.
A Banff Mountain Literature Award winning book, reading and experiencing this will complete a literary circle in Mountainering.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
I found the book to be an eye opener; having previously only had a passing and somewhat reverential interest and admiration in mountain climbing, and this at a distance.
The author looks at climbing from the perspective of those left behind, sometimes permanently, when men and woman go mountain climbing. The understanding of the layperson of quite how dangerous mountain climbing can be is, from my distant perspective naive and improved only by the odd book or documentary.
Quite how addicting climbing and really living in the dangerous and deadly zones can be was something I'd never understood, Having read the book I now have a better idea and I owe this to the book and the personal journey the author has travelled and lived.
If the motivation of folk who opt for and dare to move in the dangerous extremes where there is no 911 solution available is of interest then the book should qualify as a "very good read."
The author looks at climbing from the perspective of those left behind, sometimes permanently, when men and woman go mountain climbing. The understanding of the layperson of quite how dangerous mountain climbing can be is, from my distant perspective naive and improved only by the odd book or documentary.
Quite how addicting climbing and really living in the dangerous and deadly zones can be was something I'd never understood, Having read the book I now have a better idea and I owe this to the book and the personal journey the author has travelled and lived.
If the motivation of folk who opt for and dare to move in the dangerous extremes where there is no 911 solution available is of interest then the book should qualify as a "very good read."
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