Three things have fed my interest in Mt. Everest:
- The book into Thin Air and the stupid risks ordinary people are willing to take to do the perceived extraordinary (especially if they have enough money to throw at a dream).
- The IMAX movie and seeing how hard it would be to climb said mountain.
- The privilege of visiting Tibet several times.
This book has a little something from everyone.
History? Check.
Alpine climbing? Check.
Death and an unsolved mystery? Check.
Memoir? Check.
Scientific analysis? Check.
The mystery of George Mallory and Sandy Irvine’s death in 1924 has resulted in countless books, theories, and recreations. Though the title of this book is about their mysterious last climb and death, this book is really a comprehensive look at the history of Alpine climbing (and how WWI impacted it) up to modern day accouterments and technology Hoyland also weaves in his own personal history with climbing and filming for BBC showing how the shadows cast by Mt. Everest, Mallory, and Irvine still reach into the present day and add a bit of personal interest.
His systematic analysis of the data surrounding whether or not Mallory and Irvine reached the top is thorough and convincing. {You’ll need to read the book to get the answer.}
Recommend for: Those who love adventure/travel stories and have had their own obsession with the mountain.
I was provided a copy of the book by the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
Title available May 21, 2013.
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What dreams have you thrown a bit of money at? {For me, this year it was visiting Angkor Wat.}
Visiting Scotland, the land of my ancestors. :-) Wendy and I spent a week there last summer, and it lived up to all my expectations!
How fun!!
Lee’s parents shipped us a National Geographic mini-series on Everest. At first we kind of laughed (we’d never expressed an interest) but were soon hooked. It’s fascinating! I might have to check out Hoyland’s book this summer while waiting on Little Bit to arrive!
For me, adventure and throwing money, I think my bucket list of visiting each of the fifty states counts. My parents traveled little, so I think maybe I’d covered Texas to Florida along the south by the time I graduated college (maybe nine states). Now, I have seen the varied beauty from sea to sea except what’s IN the sea (Hawaii). There is SOMETHING fun, beautiful or cool everywhere (even Iowa and North Dakota). 49 states and 13 countries – give me travel over diamonds or expensive clothes any day.
I agree! There IS something fun, beautiful or coll about everywhere :)