Customer Reviews

The Boardman Tasker Omnibus

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read inumerable books on mountaineering, I wasn't prepared for the impact of this one. I've read "Fragile Edge" by Maria Coffey, (it is excellent, she was Tasker's girlfriend)about her and Hillary Boardman's experiences following the deaths of Boardman and Tasker, and wasn't prepared for the emotional impact of this book. It is probably one of the best I've read. Boardman's style gripped me, and brought home what a terrible tragedy his death was for the literary community. I believe there are "writing climbers" and "climbing writers"; Boardman was definitely a gifted climber who wrote beautifully. This book should be in anyone's library who loves mountains and adventure travel.

This book was great ! It was like an orgy of climbing by two of the great climbers of all times, who also happened to be very good writers as well. The four-books-in-one format was terrific too, because when you're enjoying an author's work so much, it's quite nice to know that there's more coming. The writing itself was suspenseful and dramatic, but didn't make you feel that you had to be a climber to understand what they were doing. They also touched on the meaning of what they were doing, and why they did ti, which was very insightful. All in all, just a truly outstanding book.

This book delivers one of the most comprehensive perspective on climbing in the Himalayas. With vivid descriptions of successful (and unsuccessful) climbs of a variety of peaks in the Himalayas plus descriptions of the North Face of the Eiger and the Snow Mountains of New Guinea, this book demonstrates the versatility of these two gentlemen.

The drama and imagery shines through the writing of both Tasker and Boardman. With details on the first ascents of the West Face of Changabang, the Southeast ridge of Dunagiri, the Northwest ridge of Kangchenjunga and more, this book is a treasure trove of great climbing. There are occasional technical terms but they demonstrate the effort and intensity of these two climbers. A great choice.

Four classics of climbing literature by two of the best writers the climbing world has ever known. This omnibus volume honours Boardman and Tasker - fine climbers and fine writers. And it honours whichever bookshelf it is placed on!

I have read literally dozens of climbing books. Without a doubt, Boardman's "Shining Mountain" is the best climbing book ever written. The only books that come close are "The White Spider" (Harrer), "The Mountains of My Life" (Bonatti) and "Touching the Void" (Simpson) which is not really a climbing but an epic survival book.

The other books in this omnibus are also good, but not as good as The Shining Mountain. I have read it about 5 times and have enjoyed it every time.

THIS IS IT!

Four books in one, this omnibus has it all... great writing, historical first ascents, great mountaineers, and great mountains.

Boardman and Tasker define today's mountaineer. If you aspire to be a great climber, look no further for guidance.

This is the gold standard of empathetic mountain literature by which all others are compared.

Want to know what it really feels like where the air is cold and thin, your body exhausted, your brain numb? This is it.

Pete Boardman and Joe Tasker were lost on the North-East ridge of Everest in 1982. Their lives and writings have since been honored by the Boardman-Tasker Award. Their four books in this omnibus set the standard.

The writing is clear and engaging and the expeditions are covered thoroughly. The last book of the Omnibus about a Tasker Omnibus is not as good as the rest. Book is partly a credit to the writing ability of the two authors and partly due to the nature of small expeditions documented where the story is intimate and human, rather than the unholy literary messes encountered in books about large expeditions.

The stories are very touching and good, just it is a huge book and
there are too many of them and inherently they are quite similar.