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42nd out of 154 books
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High Exposure: An Enduring Passion for Everest and Unforgiving Places
This extraordinary memoir is the story of the famed IMAX cinematographer, adventurer, and mountaineer, whose terrifying experiences during the 1996 season on Mt. Everest became the defining moment of his life. As his fans will discover there is an inextricable link between this enigmatic man's troubled childhood, his brilliant successes as a climber and cinematographer and
...morePaperback, 320 pages
Published
May 17th 2000
by Simon & Schuster
(first published 1999)
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Evan
rated it
OK, this book is not as riproaring as Krakauer's "Into Thin Air," and yet it's an excellent insight into what makes a mountaineer tick. I was moved by Breashear's account of the Everest '96 disaster, and found his rendering of the survival of Beck Weathers perhaps even more moving than the account in Krakauer's masterful tome. Similarly moving was his account of the recovery of the camera containing the last picture of mountaineer Bruce Herrod, staring into the lens in triumph on the s...more
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Goodness, this guy is an jerk! The book opens in 1996 as the tragedy of that year is beginning to unfold. As I read, I found myself thinking, "Wow, this dude is awfully smug." I've read a lot of books about the 1996 disaster and of course some of them are very uncomplimentary towards Rob Hall & his actions. I’m not trying to be a Rob Hall apologist, the tone that David Breashears takes just makes him seem like a big-know-it-all. I found myself wondering if he really knew these people o...more
In High Exposure, high altitude mountaineer and cinematographer David Breashears tells his story. While the book concentrates on Breashears' climbs, it also tells about his upbringing, and the path he travelled to become a professional climber. This information is interesting because the people who climb the world's highest mountains seem to be a breed apart, often causing those of us who enjoy reading of their exploits, but shiver when climbing a ladder, to wonder what makes them tick. Always, ...more
High Exposure is somewhat of an autobiography about David Breashears' climbing life, as well as his answer to why he climbs. The story starts when he is a young boy with a violent father, and from there he becomes enamored with mountain climbing. All of his stories about the mountains he climbed were pretty entertaining, although after a while of reading they all started to run into each other and I couldn't remember which climb was which. Breashears does a good job of explaining climbing cultur...more
I almost didn't order this book because I've read so many books about climbing Mt. Everest but I'm glad I did. This was more a memoir - telling about his life, growing up, what made him tick, how he handled life, etc. And he became a photographer kind of by accident but it turned out he was really good at it. I felt badly for him that his relationship with his wife didn't work out because he was so busy all the time with his career that he didn't have time for her. Maybe that's the way he wa...more
keaton hoff
added it
High Exposure is a book about a man and his team to film a IMAX about the climb up and the top of the legendary Mt. Everest. A IMAX movie is a movie in where you sit in a large theater like room and the screen wraps around you half way in sort of a dome shape so you need special equipment to shoot it. That was one of the reason i liked the book was that not only they had to climb the Mountain but also lug up heavy camera gear. A reader may not like the book because of the way it sort of rambles ...more
David Breashears has given us fantastic film footage of high altitude mountaineering. He led and directed the 1996 Everest IMAX filming expedition. If you've seen that, you most likely agree.
Unfortunately, much of the adventure writing of the late 20th Century (remember back then?) seems to be centered more on self-fulfillment and self-expression than anything outside the self. Why did Breashears push and sacrifice to be such an accomplished mountaineer? From the story, one concl...more
Unfortunately, much of the adventure writing of the late 20th Century (remember back then?) seems to be centered more on self-fulfillment and self-expression than anything outside the self. Why did Breashears push and sacrifice to be such an accomplished mountaineer? From the story, one concl...more
Having read a fair number of reviews for High Exposure, most of which were quite favorable, I eagerly expected a different experience than the book delivered.
The overall flow of David Breashears’ personal biography was interesting and provided insight into behavioral aspects of a life that led to his being one of the top mountaineers in the world. But for me, the book lacked sufficient substance until towards the end; when he related the tragic experience and fatal events of the 199...more
The overall flow of David Breashears’ personal biography was interesting and provided insight into behavioral aspects of a life that led to his being one of the top mountaineers in the world. But for me, the book lacked sufficient substance until towards the end; when he related the tragic experience and fatal events of the 199...more
One of many mountaineering books I'm reading at the moment (because they come so cheap in Nepal), this one is really a good read, gripping and entertaining. David Breashears tells his life story, a typical "mountain maniac" story - from climbing in Colorado as a teenager to his numerous Everest expeditions. He was able to make his passion his profession: He works as a high altitude cameraman and has famously shot the IMAX movie "Everest", in 1996, just when the catastrophe de...more
I was looking forward to reading David Breashears' High Exposure because his name had been mentioned many times in other mountaineering books I read and enjoyed.
However, this book dragged for me until he started writing about the IMAX filming that coincided with the infamous 1996 Everest disaster. I appreciated the extra tidbits of information from him that I didn't get from other books about the disaster.
I did enjoy reading about his early life, his family hardships, and...more
However, this book dragged for me until he started writing about the IMAX filming that coincided with the infamous 1996 Everest disaster. I appreciated the extra tidbits of information from him that I didn't get from other books about the disaster.
I did enjoy reading about his early life, his family hardships, and...more
Really good. I have a great deal of respect for people who fashion careers out of the things they love. How many people can turn a love of mountain climbing into real and fulfilling (not to mention paying) work? Great.
It was also interesting to read Breashears account of the 1996 Everest disaster. Some of the things he observed seem very different from Jon Krakauer's point of view...especially Breashears impressions of Rob Hall. Things that make you go hmmm..
It was also interesting to read Breashears account of the 1996 Everest disaster. Some of the things he observed seem very different from Jon Krakauer's point of view...especially Breashears impressions of Rob Hall. Things that make you go hmmm..
This was another good book about the Everest disaster of 1996. It now marks the third book on the topic that I have read. Similar to my polygomy kick, I think if I let this go, it could become my next obsession. However, I am going to cut myself off and not read any more Everest books. Unless I could find an account of a polygomous family who all climbed Everest together....now that could be an interesting read!!! :-)
An interesting and at times poetic book about the life of David Breashears and his trips to Everest. Despite his confidence, Breashears never comes across as arrogant or cocky. Completely ignorant to mountain climbing myself, I found his technical descriptions of the climbing and filming process easy to understand, and the emotional descriptions of his experiences very riveting. I'm definitley glad to have picked up this book and look forward to checking out some of his films.
This not a great book by all means. It has some delightful moments allowing the reader to abandon reality and dream of the places Breashears has visited. However it seams he is deliberately cool and dis attached from the material. Seams like he is trying to resolve some personal issue (relationship with his dad), a them that pops through out the book.
David Breashears' book had what my last book (Left for Dead) did not... lots of material that was actually worth writing about! David Breashears has an incredible collection of anecdotes and stories to tell, especially from his youth, because he led exactly the kind of life that leads to the best stories: he took risks, followed his passions, and pursued his art. He also has an incredible way with words, so that not only is the content of the book interesting, but the narrative is insightful a...more
Another primary source on May, 1996 disaster on Everest. Different perspective in that Breashears was there filming what would become the IMAX movie EVEREST when he and climber Ed Viesters were drawn into the drama
I love mountaineering books even though I was only a recreational backpacker--I love reading about the serious climbers and major peaks on the planet. Breashears knows every aspect of climbing. Great read.
Lance Gideon
is currently reading it
I picked this book up back in December, but I have yet to finish it. It's a long read, and I've since returned it to the library. I'll be picking it up soon to finish!
This nook is a detailed autobiography on David Breashears, a mountaineer filmmaker. It follows his passion for climbing as a kid to climbing Mount Everest with an IMAX camera. These stories can inspire kids to adults with the thrilling stories Breashears presents. His many ascents and feats are staggering and the pictures in the book are wowing. Great read, highly enjoyable for mountain lovers, and leaves the reader wanting more.
I enjoyed this book for its look at the climber's life, his perspective on climbing and mountaineering, and his account of the 1996 Everest tragedy.
deeply personal, unabashedly poetic, and powerfully inspiring story about a noble artist and leader as he charts his climb to a summit of the soul.
I've read bits and pieces of David's life but this was the best by far. Another look back to Everests deadly 1996 season.
If you are reading about Everest, you need to add this one to your list. Another perspective of the 92 season on the mountain.
I have a fashionation of Mt. Everest and I was given this book on my birthday 11.14.10 and so I have only just started it on New Years Eve so I will add more when I get further into the book. I finsihed this book on 1.13.11, it was a very wonderful book.
Great true account of a mountaineer who helped film the wide screen Everest film.
This is a fantastic book that starts to explain the allure of high places and dangerous hobbies. Its a journey of self-knowledge as he puts it. This book shows another point of view from the Everest tragedy in 1996. I liked the fact that he doesn't spare his pride in the recounting of events - in many examples explaining that he was a fool to do things the way he'd done them. I admire that, I also admire his artistic vision in bringing the beauty and passion for the outdoors to those whom wouldn...more
Alternative story for into thin air
I never read "Into Thin Air" and although I really like Krakauer, I would suggest this book if you're looking to read about Everest. Breashears traces his passion for climbing from his youth up to his summit of Everest in 1996. During this expedition, he was filming the Everest IMAX and somehow avoided the storm that lead to the disaster chronicled in Krakauer's book. Breashears's account is gripping and personal. And honestly, it makes you want to experience life from the highest ...more
I really liked this book. What a cool life David Breashers has lived!
Good but not great. Brearshears gives us a pretty raw look at what the life of a mountaineering photog is all about and it reads clear and quick. Nothing outstanding here but at least it is an honest potrayal of his life and experiences. It is one of the easier mountaineering books to enjoy without the heavy disaster angles found in the more popular reads of this genre, just a straight forward telling of his life.
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“The stresses of high-altitude climbing reveal your true character; they unmask who you really are. You no longer have all the social graces to hide behind, to play roles. You are the essence of what you are.”
—
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