Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography Of George Mallory (Photobiographies) [Hardcover]

Audrey Salkeld (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Photobiographies

Discusses the life of British mountain climber, George Mallory, the discovery of his body seventy-five years after his death, and the debate over whether Mallory was the first person to reach the top of Mount Everest.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8-Since 1953, when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay stood at the top of Mount Everest, hundreds of others have scaled the world's highest peak. In their shadows, George Leigh Mallory and his companion Andrew Irvine have vanished into footnotes almost as completely as they vanished on Everest in 1924. This authoritative photobiography follows Mallory from his early childhood to the startling discovery of his frozen body in 1999, 75 years after his death. In a lucid text sprinkled with quotes from the subject's writings and excellent black-and-white photos, the adventurer is resurrected and resumes his place at the forefront of Everest mountaineers. The readable text illuminates the strength and resolution that carried him to Everest on three expeditions, and allows readers to comprehend his determination to climb the mountain. For those seeking further details of the 1999 discovery, two adult titles will be useful: Peter Firstbrook's Lost on Everest (Contemporary, 1999) and Jochen Hemmleb's Ghosts of Everest (Mountaineers, 1999). Handsome, informative, and moving, Mystery on Everest deserves a place in any collection.
Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 5-8. From National Geographic's Photobiography series, this large-format book presents the life of English mountain climber George Mallory (1886-1924). Educated at Cambridge, Mallory served in World War I, then settled down to raise a family, but his love of climbing led him to join the expeditions to Mount Everest in 1921, 1922, and 1924. Asked why he wanted to climb Everest, he made the famous reply, "Because it's there." He died in an Everest climbing accident in 1924. No one knows whether he reached the summit. Well designed with many black-and-white photos, including period pictures of Mallory and his contemporaries as well as recent shots of the mountain, this handsome book features a generous use of white space and fairly large type. Salkeld, a member of the team that found Mallory's body in 1999, clearly explains the challenges that Mallory must have faced on Mount Everest. An accessible book on a figure little known to young people. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792272226
• ISBN-13: 978-0792272229
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 0.4 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #439,625 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Tale of Everest, June 6, 2002

By 

mike weber (Frankenmuth,Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography Of George Mallory (Photobiographies) (Hardcover)

The book Mystery on Everest is about renowned English mountain climber George Mallory and his disappearance during his three attempts at climbing the world's tallest mountain, Mt. Everest. His one reason to try for Everest was "Because Its There". To this day, nothing is known of him if he made it to the summit or not after his third attempt. This photo biography tells the tale of his life in childhood, during the war, his family, and his hobby, mountain climbing. Educated at Cambridge, Mallory was always adventurous, but it wasn't until later on in life that he found his new love in the English hills, mountain climbing. He soon married his first wife and started a family. During World War One, he manned howitzers that pounded German positions behind enemy lines. After the war, he went back to his family. His desire for mountain climbing drew him to join expeditions to Everest in 1921, 1922, and 1924. A team of mountain climbers found Mallory's body in 1999, opening up a vast stockpile of questions that have not been able to be answered since his death. Did Mallory reach the summit 29 years before Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary ?

This photo biography is filled with many interesting pictures that explain more than words. I saw this book on the bookshelf and was instantly drawn to it. This book is very easy to read and had many black and white pictures. I greatly recommend this book to anybody that is interested in mountains, human will, or mystery.

5.0 out of 5 stars Determination !, June 18, 2011

By 

LME "The Discerning Viewer" (Central CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography Of George Mallory (Photobiographies) (Hardcover)

A fascinating look at one man's passion and achievement. The technical aspects of mountaineering were in their infancy in the 1920's and George Mallory was on the cutting edge. A great read for grades 5-9, and adults too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific reading for fifth and sixth graders, August 19, 2005

By 

PECo412 "peco" (Hartford, CT USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography Of George Mallory (Photobiographies) (Hardcover)

This National Geographic photobiography of George Mallory's life and the mystery surrounding his death on Mount Everest conveys the sense of adventure explorers like him had in the early part of the 20th century. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be inspired to pursue his or her own adventures.