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Within Reach: My Everest Story (Nonfiction)
 
 
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Within Reach: My Everest Story (Nonfiction) (Paperback)

~ (Author), Jack Galvin (Author) "What's a carabiner?..." (more)
Key Phrases: yak speed, rock gym, summit bid, Camp Two, Camp Three, Ama Dablam (more...)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
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Customers buy this book with Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster by Jon Krakauer

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Although Within Reach is targeted at young adults and written in a young man's voice, the writing (by coauthor Galvin) is engaging, and the story is rewarding enough to interest any mountaineer.

Pfetzer, 18 at the time of publication, describes his summits of a number of peaks worthy of a climber twice his age, including Huascarán, Aconcagua, Ama Dablam, Kilimanjaro, and Cho Oyu. He tells at length of his two expeditions to Everest, where he reached 25,000 feet from Tibet and 26,000 feet from Nepal. Purists may sneer, as all these climbs were commercial, guided expeditions--but heck, the kid was only 14 or 15; how else would he get there? And, though a paying client, he was unusually well prepared: a karate black belt (at age 11), courses in NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) and high-angle rescue, full EMT (emergency medical technician) training (even though he was too young to be licensed), in addition to being in top physical condition, which he rigorously maintained.

Pfetzer has regularly sought out older, more experienced mountaineers as mentors--somewhat rare for a teenager--and thanks them publicly for their teaching and wisdom. His love of climbing and determination to succeed are inspirational for all ages. --Donna DeShazo --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.



From Publishers Weekly

In May 1996, Mark Pfetzer at age 16 was the youngest climber on Mount Everest to reach 26,000 feet, and his gripping autobiography focuses exclusively on his mountain climbing achievements. Recounted in diary format, Pfetzer's dense but taut story opens during the 1996 Everest expedition, then jumps back to a 1992 advanced camping trip, when his passion for climbing first ignited. An advertisement for a mountaineering trip in Nepal sparks his imagination and determination (he must raise $5000 for the excursion), and the experience starts Pfetzer off to the farthest (and highest) reaches of the globe, on to Peru, Ecuador, Tanzania and finally to Mount Everest. Even though he fails to reach the summit on either of his two Everest trips (the second of which takes place during the fatality-filled 1996 expedition described by Krakauer in Into Thin Air), Pfetzer does set an altitude record for his age. While some of his inspirational comments about going for one's dreams come off as a bit condescending, and a few of the descriptions and metaphors have an adult flavor, readers are sure to be fascinated by the suspenseful storytelling and the wealth of insider details. For instance, at high altitudes climbers can break a rib just by coughing; those who reach the summit often urinate on the peak to commemorate the event. Even readers with no interest in rappelling will likely be swept up in the details of the people and places Pfetzer meets in his travels. A glossary and a chapter by chapter "Cast of Characters" will help readers unfamiliar with the world of climbing. Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Product Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Puffin (January 1, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0141304979
  • ISBN-13: 978-0141304977
  • Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #557,203 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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More About the Author

Mark Pfetzer
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Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:
Inside This Book (learn more)
First Sentence:
What's a carabiner? Read the first page
Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
yak speed, rock gym, summit bid, summit day, heavy mittens, ice climbing, kitchen tent
Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Camp Two, Camp Three, Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, Cho Oyu, Scott Fischer, Camp Four, Rob Hall, Juan Carlos, New York, United States, Rhode Island, Khumbu Icefall, Ray Dorr, Roger Gocking, South America, Buenos Aires, Henry Todd, Namche Bazaar, Puente del Inca, Breast Cancer, Carlo Rocca, Jim Wheeler, New England, Pat Caffrey
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Citations (learn more)
This book cites 5 books:
 
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The Summit by Gordon Korman
The Climb by Gordon Korman
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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Within Reach: My Everest Story (Nonfiction)
94% buy the item featured on this page:
Within Reach: My Everest Story (Nonfiction) 4.2 out of 5 stars (68)
$7.99
Peak
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Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
2% buy
Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster 4.4 out of 5 stars (1,542)
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Within Reach: My Everest Story 4.5 out of 5 stars (2)
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Customer Reviews

68 Reviews
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3 star:
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2 star:
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (68 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars Schlepping the Clients Up the Mountain, March 14, 2009

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.
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars This is a pretty good book., December 25, 1999
By Lauren Haumesser (Walnut Creek, California) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Within Reach: My Everest Story (Hardcover)
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.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars "Within Reach" was the Best Book I've Read in a Long Time!, December 7, 1999
By A Customer
"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.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Adventure!
Within reach by Mark Pfetzer is an amazing book. The book takes place in the highest mountains of the world. It's an informational book about mountain climbing. Read more
Published 1 month ago by MCadorette

4.0 out of 5 stars A TEEN TAKES ON EVEREST AND LIVES TO TELL THE TALE...
This is a terrific book for teens, young adults, and, yes, adults about a Rhode Island teenager, Mark Pfetzer, who makes his dreams come true. Read more
Published on December 5, 2006 by Lawyeraau

1.0 out of 5 stars this book sucks
this is the worst excuse for a book that i have ever been forced to read. its hard to follow and stuff. it sucks.
Published on March 25, 2006

4.0 out of 5 stars My Everest Story
How would you feel climbing the tallest mountain in the world at age 16? In My Everest Story by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin that's exactly what happens. Read more
Published on December 21, 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars My Everest Story
Imagine climbing Everest at 16 years old with complete strangers. That's what happens to a boy named Mark in this book. Read more
Published on December 21, 2005

4.0 out of 5 stars My Everest Story
My Everest Story by Mark Pfetzer and Jack Galvin is about a young man named Mark. Since Mark was twelve years old he has been training to climb Everest. Read more
Published on December 21, 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring!
"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... Read more
Published on April 23, 2005 by The Flash

1.0 out of 5 stars My everest story
This book is about a 15 year old boy climbing up many mountains. This is a real story and the author, Mark Pfetzer, is the boy that climbs many mountains. Read more
Published on April 15, 2005

3.0 out of 5 stars My Everest Story Review
The book, My Everest Story, is a modern story set in the mountains in Nepal and Ecuador. The author is called Mark Pfetzer and he is from America. Read more
Published on April 8, 2005

5.0 out of 5 stars Mark Phetzer...Mr. Summit
Five Stars!! This was a superior first person book told through journal entries. From a twelve year old in a rock gym wanting to summit thousands of mountains, to a fourteen year... Read more
Published on January 5, 2005

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