Customer Reviews

Imperial Ascent: Mountaineering, Masculinity, and Empire

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Often in works of this type the author preaches more than informs his readers about the various political, cultural, social and ecomonic oppressions that the West has perpetrated against native peoples. However, Bayers book avoids the easy knee-jerk academic responses to the complex question of "imperialism." While his book clearly has a theme--that of the West's need to impose its waning will for empire in the early part of the twentieth century by conquering the last frontier, great mountains--Bayers is able to create an intelligent, fair-minded critique of the multiple forces at work in the narratives of early to mid-twentieth century climbers in expeditions to Mt. McKinley (Denali to the natives) or Mt. Everest. At the same time, his character study of the "heroic but flawed" men who made these climbs is as fascinating and as perceptive as any novelist's, and the story he tells is riveting to both academic and layman alike. I would highly recommend this book.

While the cultural manifestations of imperialism presents a fascinating study, one that provides unique insight into the political and intellectual landscape of the 19th and early 20th century, it is also one that can easily be over-generalized. In the hands of one "searching" for an argument, nearly any subject can be twisted into a representation of cultural elitism. This is not to say that there is no connection between mountaineering and imperialism, in fact, mountaineering has historically been a way in which man could test the limits of his "domain." However, what Mr. Bayer's fails to realize is the true extent of imperialism. Imperialism was not solely a representation of inherent racism and bigotry, though regrettably it took that form all too often. When viewed in the context of its intellectual, cultural, and technical expressions, it becomes apparent that imperialism was a response to the Industrial Age and an attempt to redefine human's relationship with the natural world.

While Mr. Bayer's tries desperately to characterize a generation of mountaineers as motivated by white elitism, he fails to realize that the beauty of mountaineering is its ability to bring out the best in men - teaching strength, courage, compassion, and respect. Reading the mountaineering narratives that Bayers discusses exposes how off-base and downright false his analysis is. His attempt to dishonor a generation of truly great men is contemptible.

The Tacoma Ledger, January 26, 1912 - "Scaling Unconquered Peaks"

"Adventure has its place in the scheme of things in demand in the twentieth century. As long as men sacrifice much to scale hitherto unconquered mountains, or devote their lives to attaining points of earth or air that before them defied all attempts, the world will keep on moving. Art, literature, good government, morality, and all that is best in man, need the impetus that such activities provide against stagnation."

"Impreial Ascent: Mountaineering, Masculinity, and Empire" is a tightly crafted analysis of the formation of masculinity told through the fanstastic prism of mountaineering and exploration literature. Bayers treats the reader to a journey consisting of a comparative study of seven key 20th century mountaineering narratives. From Frederick Cook and Belmore Browne's adventures in Alaska to Jon Krakauer's account of more recent forays on Mt. Everest, he brings to bear both his keen insights into mountains as imperial icons and his infectious passion for adventure. "Imperial Ascent" will endure for students of masculinity, empire, and mountaineering alike. Bravo Dr. Bayers!