Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
19 used & new from £6.40
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
The Mountains of My Life (Modern Library)
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

The Mountains of My Life (Modern Library) (Paperback)

by Walter Bonatti (Author), Robert Marshall (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
RRP: £13.99
Price: £9.99 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £4.00 (29%)
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Want guaranteed delivery by Wednesday, July 8? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details
13 new from £6.49 6 used from £6.40

Frequently Bought Together

The Mountains of My Life (Modern Library) + Conquistadors of the Useless + The Boardman Tasker Omnibus: Savage Arena, The Shining Mountain, Sacred Summits, Everest the Cruel Way
Price For All Three: £32.97

Show availability and shipping details

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Conquistadors of the Useless

Conquistadors of the Useless

by Lionel Terray
5.0 out of 5 stars (2)  £8.49
The Boardman Tasker Omnibus: Savage Arena, The Shining Mountain, Sacred Summits, Everest the Cruel Way

The Boardman Tasker Omnibus: Savage Arena, The Shining Mountain, Sacred Summits, Everest the Cruel Way

by Peter Boardman
4.8 out of 5 stars (6)  £14.49
Psychovertical

Psychovertical

by Andy Kirkpatrick
4.8 out of 5 stars (18)  £5.48
The White Spider

The White Spider

by Heinrich Harrer
4.1 out of 5 stars (19)  £6.99
The Villain: The Life of Don Whillans

The Villain: The Life of Don Whillans

by Jim Perrin
4.4 out of 5 stars (10)  £6.99
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 496 pages
  • Publisher: Random House Inc; Modern Library Ed edition (4 May 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 037575640X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0375756405
  • Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 214,612 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #75 in  Books > History > Europe > Italy

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Product Description

Review
"Bonatti's voice reaches us from another world. . . . It is enchanting to realize that the magic of the mountains can still return."
"
"

Synopsis
The collected writings of one of the greatest and most controversial climbers of all time, appearing for the first time in English.

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Mountains of My Life (Modern Library)
76% buy the item featured on this page:
The Mountains of My Life (Modern Library) 4.7 out of 5 stars (3)
£9.99
Dougal Haston: The Philosophy of Risk
7% buy
Dougal Haston: The Philosophy of Risk 4.0 out of 5 stars (6)
£7.49
Learning to Breathe
7% buy
Learning to Breathe 5.0 out of 5 stars (9)
£6.99
Psychovertical
6% buy
Psychovertical 4.8 out of 5 stars (18)
£5.48
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

3 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (1)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (3 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Moving on up with Bonatti, 26 April 2003
By MR D CARTER (Bristol United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
Bonatti takes us on a roller coaster ride of his most audacious and awe-inspiring alpine adventures. You feel the bone-chilling bivouacs and the mind-blowing exposure of his most creative climbs, many of which were done solo and in the finest alpine style.

This book is a must read for collectors of the genre and anyone interested in alpine history. From the humourous but life threatening hitting of his thumb whilst hammering in a piton on the first ascent of the Whymper Spur, to his tortuous arrival at the Gamba hut after the tragic sequence of events on the Central Pillar of Freney during which four climbers perished - it is all told in a human and compelling way.

In the final section of the book there is a detailed analysis of the K2 controversy which is disected from every angle, from the ascent of the mountain to the ensuing court case ten years later. These chapters for me were a little dry but formed a contrast to the previous alpine adventures. However, this shouldn't put anyone off reading such a thought provoking book about one mans achievements and life adventures. One is left in no doubt that Bonatti was the most accomplished and prolific alpinist of his era.

He has a great story to tell and he forces you to keep turning the pages, as, in his life not only was he stalked by controversy but whilst 'on the heights' he seemed to be a magnet for storm and bad weather.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Fair play prevails, 23 Jan 2009
By D. Elliott (Ulverston, Cumbria) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
With its budget paperback binding of The Modern Library Exploration Series this book appears small - but it is immense - physically at almost 500 pages in length, and spiritedly telling a big, big story from one of the greatest mountaineers of all time - Walter Bonatti. His dedication to extreme mountaineering life set new standards yet spanned a mere 16 years from 1949 when as a teenager he climbed the NE Face of the Piz Badile (not NW as publication) until stepping down in 1965 after an audacious solo winter ascent of the N Face of the Matterhorn. Bonatti climbed continually in the Alps between these dates with first ascents including the E Face of the Grand Capucin and the SW Pillar of the Dru, plus in the Himalaya and South America. His traditional yet aspirational approaches were full of passion and almost innocence, and though this attracted respect and fame he was also attacked by some with envious agendas. In addition to early controversy arising from the first ascent of K2 Bonatti was criticised over his tragedies with fatalities of companions in the mountains, eventually leading to his `early retirement'.

All these elements and many more are embraced by `The Mountains of My Life' and readers will live through Walter Bonatti's triumphs, excitement, joy, suffering, fear and despair. Aware he was regarded by commentators as somewhat masochistic, even deranged, Bonatti acknowledges in his Preface how his career is studded with highly dramatic episodes, but points out how many wonderful ascents were completed without incident and with tranquil mind. Set in the post Second World War years there is a historical significance throughout with explanations on rudimentary gear/techniques, but more importantly with reference to emotional elements and degenerating ethics. The book pulls together many classic writings by Bonatti who states clearly how pleased he is with translator Robert Marshall for keeping faith with his true meanings. Astonishingly the translator played an investigative role and is responsible for bringing forward evidence to clear Bonatti over K2 accusations - and Marshall is the author of the chapter: `What Really Happened on K2?'. `The Mountains of My Life' vindicates Bonatti and confirms him as a sensitive and sincere man seeking adventure and fulfilment from his `impossible' achievements. The book ends with brief but eloquent descriptions of later trips as a pilgrimage on Mont Blanc and a survival experience in Patagonia, plus publication of the keynote address to the 1989 International Mountaineering Convention giving a most meaningful insight to the entire ethos of Walter Bonatti. `The Mountains of My Life' is worth buying for this final contribution alone.
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
5.0 out of 5 stars Bonatti recounts his exploits in the mountains., 4 April 2009
By S. Swingler (Somerset,UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This is a classic read from one of the greatest mountaineers in the history of climbing. All his major climbs are recalled by the man himself who gives vivid and poetic accounts superbly translated by Robert Marshall, a friend of Bonatti. Bonatti's account of his 1984 climb of Mont Blanc is particularly beautiful, revealing the spiritual dimension of the man. The book gets bogged down for a few pages when Bonatti attempts to clear his name regarding the events of the 1954 K2 climb. But his reasons are understandable and he reveals himself as a man of great integrity. One of the best mountaineering books I've read. The man is a legend.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Look for similar items by subject




















i.e., each product must be in subject 1 AND subject 2 AND ...

Feedback

I'll Call You in Kathmandu: The...

I'll Call You...

A biography of Elizabeth Hawley, an American woman on her own in Nepal... Read more
£17.99

›Find similar items

 

Make A Wish

Get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List Make sure you always get what you want with an Amazon.co.uk Wish List.

›More info on Wish Lists

  

Train Hard...Play Hard

Nike, Gola, Converse, and more
Gear up with up to 60% off athletic and outdoor shoes.

›Shop now

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates