Customer Reviews

Within Reach: My Everest Story

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(34)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is the second book that I have read on Everest, (one when I was nine, one now at age 11). It was also the one I enjoyed more. I liked how it was written in journal form, because for people my age it made it eaiser to read. The book was very suspenceful in some parts. It amazed me was how Mark (the person the book was written about), had climbed so many mountains when he was 14, 15, and 16. But, my favorite feature that the authors included was a 'cast of characters'at the back of the book. The 'cast of characters' included a chapter number, and then listed all of the people mentioned in that chapter. Next to the peoples names were a couple of sentences about where they were from, and what they were like. This was very useful because Mark, went on so many expeditions. Another reason I liked this book so much is because of the sense of humor in it. All and all, this was a pretty good book.

"Within Reach" by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin was a very good book. In fact, it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. At first when this book was suggested to me, I thought "Wow. Another boring non-fiction book about some guy climbing Everest. Whoopee." But I was wrong. I loved "Within Reach"! I suggest it for anyone interested in a good read. Even if you don't like non-fiction or adventure books, I think this book's for you! I took this book to all my classes at school and brought it home every night, sneaking a read when I was supposed to be doing my homework - that's how much I really couldn't put this book down! I loved following Mark's journeys in mountain climbing, and I hope there will be a sequel soon about his 1999 Everest and Andrea Doria expedition! (The Andrea Doria is a sunken cruise ship that a group [including Mark] is going to explore, 240 feet undersea!) And Mark, if you're reading this, I'm sorry about your dad.

I saw Mark speak last Fall when the book first came out and I was very impressed with his maturity and poise. Both of these qualities are apparent in his book as well. His story is inspirational to both young adults and adults! When most of us say "Wouldn't it be great to try ___" Mark actually does. The book is structured like a diary and you follow Mark from his first rock climb to Mt. Everest and everything in between. I recommend it to anyone who has is interested in Everest and one young man's determination to reach the summit.

"You are there" with a young man who becomes one of the world's accomplished climbers--from terrified first rappel to the summits (and near-summits) of some of the world's highest mountains.

I had no idea what climbing was all about until I read this book. How <em>technical</em> high-altitude climbing is! . . .

I began to realize an Everest expedition is almost as difficult as a moon shot. And it takes almost as much planning. Except, instead of having tens of thousands of paid government employees behind you, and a couple of billion dollars, an Everest expedition is a very private affair . . . and costs "only" $30,000 to $85,000 or so. . . .

Great story. Well told. A sharply drawn cast of characters. Includes several parables-from-real-life for the thoughtful reader.

One disappointment: Why does this current edition, first published three years after the book was written, not include any further updates? Why does a Google search on Mark Pfetzer bring up no pages with information more recent than 1998? . . . I'd like to know where this young man has gone in the seven or eight years since. He was "planning" to summit Everest in 1999; he was "planning" to dive to the <em>Andrea Doria</em> in 1999: did he ever do these things? Has he become a doctor? Gone on to medical school? Ever dated any of those girls he hoped to date? . . .

I have the book and it's very interesting. I really like the stuff about mountaian climbing and the mountains. I think it's cool that he's still in school and climbs Mt. Everest!

This book was very good because the story is intresting and written well. I have seen many good mountaineering stories ruined by being written in an arrogant voice. Some examples are Jan Krakauer's Into Thin Air and Anatoli Boukreev's The Climb. While these books were intresting both had an arrogent slant to them. This story is also very inspiring because it shows that anyone can do anything and that even famous people can be hit with major life problems. I recommend this for anyone intrested in mountaineering and/or with dreams.

Mark is a great role model for all young adults and should be mandatory reading for all school age children and teenagers. What an uplifting story in lieu of all the negative stories about gangs, drugs and teen-crime. It will encourage others with a dream not to give up but to pursue their goals with determination and persistance.

This book is the perfect mix of exciting action and learning to follow your dreams with an undettered disipline and dedication. Pfetzer is an inspiration and Galvin is a masterful writer, I will continue to follow and look for work or accomplishments by either

The book was spirited and uplifting. It inspires the average person to do the impossible. The story is an umbeileavable one and it is told with great passion by the author Jack Galvin. I am looking forwared to following Pfetzers next attempts at Everest and the Andria Doria and am also looking to read any other material written by Galvin, He is a great author who excites the reader. I loved it.

My Everest Story is the account of Mark Pfetzer, who at age thirteen decided he wanted to climb the world's highest mountain. Three years later, in 1996, he made it to 26,000 feet before having to abort after the tragic storm that cost the lives of eight climbers as chronicled by Jon Krakauer in Into Thin Air.

Why this kid wants to do this is never really explained. The closest we get is "God this is fun" (doesn't sound much like a thirteen year old) and "I like working on a goal, making it happen".

OK

One reason the book seems disconnected and lacking authenticity is the ghostwriting of Jack Galvin, a local schoolteacher who contacted Pfetzer on his return from Everest. This appears to be his only published work, for good reason.

As a result of Galvin's clumsy handling of the story, Mark seems weird rather than interesting. We never get beneath the surface, beyond comments such as, "Lots of good looking girls in Mendoza...so many girls I'd love to talk to, if only I had the guts!"

The narrative deals with Mark's learning to climb, his initial experiences trekking in Nepal and climbing several South American mountains, as well as his two attempts on Everest and his ultimately successful summiting of Cho Oyu, an 8,000 meter peak in Tibet.

This could be a source of inspiration for unfocused teenagers, were it not for the goofy tone of the writing.

For me, the most interesting aspect of the book was the picture it paints (probably inadvertently) of the dysfunctional world of paid adventure expedition climbing. When the primary qualification of the members of a climbing team is the ability to pay a fee it becomes inevitable that tragedies such as that of May 1996 on Everest will ensue.

Sir Edmund Hillary said that a sixteen year old had no business being on Everest. He may be right, but the same applies to a majority of the clients on paid commercial expeditions.