Heroic Climbs: A Celebration of World Mountaineering [Paperback]

Royal Geographical Society (Great Britain) (Author), England) Alpine Club (London (Author), Chris Bonington (Editor), Audrey Salkeld (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1996

This book encompasses the rich, broad spectrum of adventure that is mountain climbing, in a remarkable selection of first-hand accounts - most never before published - by 40 of the foremost mountaineers of modern times. Heroic Climbs looks at the development of climbing in the great mountainous areas of the world, from the Alps and remote ranges of Europe to the big walls and super ice of North America, from South America and the last great wilderness of Antarctica to the highest challenges in the Himalaya. Each section introduces the history of the region, to put into context the articles that cover many different eras. Here are the pioneering exploits - Charles Houston's vivid memories of Nanda Devi and K2 in the '30s; Bradford Washburn's recollections of meeting the challenge of Alaska's Mt. Lucania in 1937, and Sir Edmund Hillary's memories of "the last lap" for himself and Tenzing on Everest in 1953. Here also are today's climbers' stories - Catherine Destivelle's eleven days and nights spent clinging to a 3,000-ft. granite wall on the west face of the Dru; Paul Piana's and Todd Skinner's near disaster at the top of El Capitan's Salathe Wall; Barry Blanchard's cold fear on the ice of Mt. Temple's north face; Ed Webster's discovery of the dramatic beauty in the sandstone cracks of Utah's Canyonlands; Marc Twight's and Andy Parkin's body-bruising journey into "The House of Pain" on the Aiguille des Pelerins. Rutkiewicz, Venables, Fowler, Burgess, Calhoun Grissom, Habeler, Messner, Scott, Diemberger, Mear and a dozen more, men and women from many different countries, tell of their exhilaration, success, failure and redemption in the mountains in stories representing vastly differentstyles in both climbing and writing. While it may never be possible for climbers to express completely why it is they pit themselves against the heights, this collection of absorbing writing makes a valuable contribution to the reader's understanding and appreciation of the lure o

Editorial Reviews

Review

Heroic Climbs encompasses the rich, broad spectrum of adventure that is mountain climbing, in a remarkable selection of first-hand accounts (most never before published) by 40 of the foremost mountaineers of modern times. Heroic Climbs looks at the development of climbing in the great mountainous areas of the world, from the Alps and remote rangers of Europe to the big walls and super ice of North America, from South America and the last great wilderness of Antarctica to the highest challenges in the Himalaya. Each section introduces the history of the region, to put into context the articles that cover many different eras. Beautifully illustrated throughout, Heroic Climbs will prove fascinating reading for anyone who has every engaged in the rapidly growing sport of mountain climbing. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books (July 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898864968
• ISBN-13: 978-0898864960
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,210,312 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy the coffee table size hardcover, not the paperback!, May 13, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Heroic Climbs: A Celebration of World Mountaineering (Paperback)

It's got such fantastic photography, the hardcover is well worth the investment.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Oh My What a Wonderful Book, November 20, 2000

By 

Yon Yonson (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Heroic Climbs: A Celebration of World Mountaineering (Paperback)

Spanning the globe from Asia to Antarctica to Alaska to New Guinea, this wonderful book is a must for any mountain lover--including those of the armchair variety. The illustrations are heartpounding, while about a few dozen short narratives are wholly satisfying. This book is a wee bit pricey, and, tho' I am a poor boy, I don't feel one bit robbed. This may be the best picture book/narrative mtn. book I own.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Photography, July 25, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Heroic Climbs: A Celebration of World Mountaineering (Paperback)

Great photographs in this book - largely by John Cleare one of the world's greatest mountain photographers. Thank you John for yet more stunning photographs!