Customer Reviews

Eiger: Wall of Death/Large Print

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

 

 

I read this book several years ago. Never have i read a more compelling story about Man's life and death struggle with a Killer Mountain. Great Photographs and a great explanation of the science of Climbing, even for a novice. i highly recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure.

Arthur Roth does an excellent job detailing the history of climbing the Eiger North Face. Having lived in Switzerland, I visited the Eiger on several occasions and would marvel at that massive Wall before me. The book is an excellent narrative regarding the various climbs over the years and is in part a tribute to the many climbers who have lost their lives in those attempts. A "must read" for anyone hiking or climbing in Europe.

This is a consistently interesting history of climbing on the Eiger's North Wall from the late 19th century to the late '70s. I'm not sure I've read a better narrative on mountain climbing, and I can't imagine a better book about the Eiger (though I've never read Harrer's THE WHITE SPIDER). Roth's account is well written, fair minded, vivid, sometimes harrowing, and always informative. Though I'll probably never have the money to see the Eiger firsthand (and I have neither the nerve nor experience to even think about climbing it), Roth provides us poor armchair alpinists with the best picture of the famous mountain that we can hope for. It's a shame that the book isn't more readily available. And why is it only in large print? This makes no sense to me. The photos are good, especially the ones that indicate the various routes, landmarks, and places where the unfortunates died. I had a hard time putting this book down. This is an absolute must for anyone interested in mountains and/or mountaineering, and I'd give it 4 1/2 stars if I could.

I found this book in the "english" section of a bookstore in Grindlewald and it was my introduction to the facinating world of mountaineering through literature. I have read many similir books since and nothing compares to this series of harrowing tales that progresses from the earliest climbs, through the first successful climb in the 30's and on to the stories of the worlds finest climbers and their attempts on this infamous wall. I was afraid to sleep after reading the Kurtz chapter it was so utterly depressing.

Originally bought this book when on a ski trip to Grindelwald, Switzerland. With the narrative, superb pictures, and the ability to look up at the mountain in question, it left an indelible impression of the people who attempted it. Even standing at the foot of the Eiger's north face ('nord wand' in German . . even they have a play on words - 'mord wand' - death face), it's hard to imagine attempting the climb in winter. It's an eerie story-telling.