World Mountaineering : The World's Great Mountains by the World's Great Mountaineers (Hardcover)

~ Audrey Salkeld (Author), Sir Chris Bonington (Contributor)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

World Mountaineering reaches a new summit. Organized by continent, this splendid, large-format climbing guide features 52 of the world's most spectacular mountains and their climbs, stepping far beyond the mere map-and-route delineations that define many climbing guidebooks. Even if the topographical descriptions and various routes snaking across the stunningly clear photographs were all that were here, that might seem enough. But each mountain's entry also includes an aerial map, a timeline of climbing history, and practicalities such as access, red tape, the best times to climb, and suggested maps and guidebooks to bring along. Essays--written by top mountaineers, such as Ed Webster on Mount Robson, or Hilary Boardman on the Carstensz Pyramid--recount personal experiences with each mountain. Suddenly the alpine world is above, shimmering and stirring, crisp and clear. The only stumble is that only five of these mountaineer essayists are women.

Route descriptions concentrate less on the step-by-step details and more on the legacy of those who have gone before, their equipment, their route's most difficult and salient features, and the official climb grading. Ideas for future climbs on each mountain suggest new routes on which to test and hone skills.

Sure, there are mountains here that one would expect--Everest, McKinley, K2, Kilimanjaro--but, as Chris Bonington writes in the foreword, "We must remember that there are alternatives to Everest.... There is a wealth of superb climbing to be had around the world ... in places where there are few, if any, other people and still no tell-tale signs of man." Bonington gives cautions about the crowding and development of popular mountains; editor Audrey Salkeld introduces the book with a history of climbing and thoughts on the future of mountaineering. In all, World Mountaineering reveals the dazzling array of climbing possibilities and acts as much as an inspiration as a dependable guide to the top. --Byron Ricks

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821225022
• ISBN-13: 978-0821225028
• Product Dimensions: 11.9 x 9.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,063,390 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the world's great mountains by the world's great mountaineer, January 26, 2000

By A Customer

Very good book on a variety of tempting targets that will take any climber at least one lifetime. The most recent information on routes, accesibility etc. makes it very valuable. World famous climbers' stories about their climbs is a eal extra. Five stars!

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful photography, October 19, 1998

By A Customer

This will be an absorbing read if, like me, Jon Krauker's "Into Thin Air" awakened the nascent armchair mountaineer in you. Interleaving some great photography with brief accounts of various climbs, and summaries of the main routes on mountains across the world, it's well worth a look even if (perhaps, especially if!) the thought of actually climbing a major peak isn't your idea of a fun way to risk your life.