Customer Reviews

The Ascent: A Novel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This novel is not only about the conquest to defeat Mt. Everest, it is about the strength of the human spirit.

While attempting to top Mt. Everest 10 climbers come to grips with their weaknesses and strengths. They come to understand about morality and the things that are truly important in this life.

This novel was a good read on several levels.

This is a very well-written book -- also harrowing, scary and depressing. You will finish it feeling like you just barely survived. Long, as a climber himself, captures the desperate alienness of the Death Zone. Read it!

Long is a talented, insightful, and original writer. He's written a story that never lets up, and leads you places you never thought you'd go. Go ahead, try putting it down once you've started. Can't wait for more............

The book was used, but it was in very good condition and the cost was very reasonable. I find Long to be a very good writer. I received the book vety shortly after I ordered it.

The Ascent kept me on the edge of my seat, good main character development.
Excellent adventure, descriptive scenes, I felt like I was there! This is the type of
book that you can't wait to read, and you don't want it to end. Perfect combination
of action, characters you care about, interesting character connections, overall
intriguing read.

This novel had me from the first few pages. Jeff Long makes the whole climbing thing fascinating. Have read this book a few times and always is a joy. Everest adventure at its best.

As a fictional novel this is a very good adventure read. The plot is interesting and plausible, however some aspects just don't ring true and that was distraction for me. Having read many actual accounts on climbing Everest and other Himalayan peaks, weather is always the number factor. Here the weather was perfect for 100 days in a row and didn't play a part until the very end. Hardly plausible. Then a character has serious injuries above 26,000 feet (shattered leg) and one other climber is able do the rescue. It took half a dozen people to rescue Beck Weathers in 1994 on Everest and he could at least walk. So other than a few reality problems, a decent novel.

One of my favorite books for pure adventure. Starts with a bang and doesn't let up much.

I've had the priviledge of meeting Jeff several times. He's the kind of writer that takes you by surprise. Not only is he one of the greatest writers in the entire world (not just my opinion) but he's an "older brother" or, at least, I consider him an older brother type. My actual older brother used to read to my when I was younger and now Jeff "reads to me" by telling me wonderful stories about human beings and the glories and tragedies of being human. He's reserved, quiet kind of guy, very personable, intelligent and also a gentleman.

The first of Jeff's books that I read was "The RECKONING." Now, it's very hard for me to describe what it's like for me to read any of Jeff's novels (those of you who've read Jeff's books already know). From the first page I'm lured into the story as an interested viewer - an outsider. Before too long, I'm swept along as a PARTICIPANT, living and striving right along with the characters!

People who LOVE to read know this pleasure of being INSIDE the story, and the satisfaction and sadness that comes when reaching the last page and closing the book with a loving hand an a sigh. This is what is readily available within the pages of a JEFF LONG novel - from the heights of the Himalayas to the depths of the earth, the human spirit is a force to be RECKONED with.

Pick up one of Jeff's books. Treat yourself.