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A Life on the Edge: Memoirs of Everest and Beyond
There have been many "firsts" in Jim Whittaker's life. He was the first North American to summit Mount Everest. As the first manager and employee, and ultimately the CEO, of fledgling Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), he guided the company through years of record-setting growth. He guided Bobby Kennedy up the newly named Mount Kennedy, helping him to become the first per...more
Paperback, 271 pages
Published
September 3rd 2000
by Mountaineers Books
(first published September 1st 1999)
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JIm Whittaker was the first American to climb Mt. Everest in 1963. I first heard of this man and his book on the news on the 50th anniversary of the climb. After a recent trek to Everest Base Camp, I've become interested in the subject.
Jim Whittaker has a life philosophy of taking calculated risks. He says that if you're not living life on the edge, you're just taking up space. Jim was born in Washington State with an identical-twin brother. His childhood feels Rockwellian, growing up with two...more
Jim Whittaker has a life philosophy of taking calculated risks. He says that if you're not living life on the edge, you're just taking up space. Jim was born in Washington State with an identical-twin brother. His childhood feels Rockwellian, growing up with two...more
Patrick heard Jim Whittaker speak at a conference and then brought me this book home signed by the Jim. Loved reading about his life climbing and starting REI. A true pioneer of mountaineering.
I read this book in 1999 and have thought about it many times since. Whittaker set me thinking about the value of discomfort, which literally changed the direction of my life.
What a great book and a life well lived! I had the great fortune to hear Jim speak in Aspen. His book was similar to the talk I heard him give but with a lot more detail (as to be expected in a novel versus an hour-long talk). While climbing was certainly a key topic in the book, his story involved way more than just climbing (starting/building REI, campaigning for Bobby Kennedy, sailing). It was also very well written. I recommend this book to anyone, not just someone interested in climbing.
Boulder
It wasn't the best written book, but the stories of his expeditions were gripping and fascinating relating to the time period in which he completed them. His relationship with the Kennedy's was also interesting as told with an insider look of their lives.
A light easy reading memoir of Jim Whittaker's life from Mount Rainier, the start-up of REI and his experience on Everest. A good account of what life is like through these major expeditions without the reader getting lost on the mountaineering jargon which sometimes happens with adventure memoirs.
This was a book my husband recommended. He said it motivates him. I read the book and thought it was very thrilling to live vicariously through the authors experiences. It was adventurous and I enjoyed it. The closing chapter really makes you reflect on what you think is the "good life".
great read for armchair mountaineers and real ones everywhere. OK the fact that he's from the Northwest does make me a bit prejudice towards him, but still a worthy read for anyone and everyone.
I picked up my signed copy and relished reading about Jim's life and adventures. A true inspiration to mountaineers everywhere.
as if i already didn't admire this adventurous man, reading this book will show you what he is really made of.
Amazing, and biographies are not normally my thing.
May 01, 2013
Joanne
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoirs,
mountain-climbing
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