Everest : A Mountaineering History (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "The first tentative steps towards Himalayan climbing were taken in 1879 and 1883 when the Hungarian mountaineer Von Dechy and the Englishman W.W. Graham paid..." (more)
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Editorial Reviews

Review

It is far and away the best book on Everest. -- Charles Warren, Everest 1935, '36, '38

Of the volumes of books written about Mount Everest, none is more definitive than Everest: The Mountaineering History ... this book will leave you satisfied.(Iowa City (IA) Gazette) -- (Iowa City - Gazette)

This is a masterly achievement--a splendid work by a most percipient and able writer. -- John Hunt, Everest 1953

Product Description

After John Hunt's successful 1953 expedition he wrote in his diary that at least the Everest story was finished. In fact, in had scarcely begun. The first ascent was the end of a chapter but far from the end of the story. Since those days, well over 300 men and women have stood on the summit of the world's highest mountain, some of them several times, seeking new routes, faster times-or simply to be numbered among the elite who have stood on the roof of the world.

This complete history, updated through 1998, tells the truth about many of the world's mountaineering heroes, about the incompetence, the pettiness, and rages as well as the courage, skill, and altruism that have gone into attempts to climb the mountain. By giving the heroes a human dimension the author has succeeded in making their achievements even more impressive than before.

With color and b&w photos.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 789 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books; 3 edition (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898866707
• ISBN-13: 978-0898866704
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #971,784 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Everything you always wanted to know about climbing Everest., July 25, 2000

By	Frank J O'Connor (Methuen, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Well-written, comprehensive, shrewd in it appraisals, concise in its descriptions of the manifold climbs, and not afraid to treat the politics, squabbles and jealousies that surrounded so many of the events described. The last few chapters do become monotonous, offering too much of a good things, but the book is superb on the important climbs and climbers: Mallory, Irvine, Hillary, Shipton, Messner, and even outsiders like Maurice Wilson are brought vividly to life. This book will stand as the standard treatment of the pursuit of the Everest Summit. The snowboarders, paragliders and skiers as well as the commercial expeditions have vulgarized it all, but this book brings us back to a time when the sacred and mysterious mountain stood in aloof resistance to a heroic band of special men.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece, May 18, 2000

By	Keith Yearwood (USA) - See all my reviews

Walt Unsworth has provided an excellent historical text. The descriptions are vivid with sufficient attention to details that paint clear pictures of the events surrounding Everest. The background information about the bureaucratic bunglings of the British is intriguing and Unsworth masterfully builds to the climax of the first triumphant ascent. I have read several books on Everest and this document helps to put so many of the pieces together and give the reader correct perspective.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read worthwhile buy!, June 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Everest: A Mountaineering History (Hardcover)

I love mountaineering and this book was informative detailed and extemely enjoyable to read. Anyone interested about Everest should read it. I particularly liked the part about Goerge Mallory and Irvine.