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69th out of 114 books
—
31 voters
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This Game of Ghosts
by
Joe Simpson
The author of the award-winning Touching the Void shares new stories and insights about his life-long penchant for risk.
Paperback, 330 pages
Published
September 28th 1995
by Mountaineers Books
(first published 1993)
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I had read a couple of Joe Simpson's other books before this one and had really liked his writing style. Once again, he did not disappoint. I also figured out why!
This book is, essentially, a biography of Joe's life and climbing career. We get to go along for the ride as his sister eggs him on to do some outlandish things. We watch as he goes on his first mountain climbing adventure, feel with him as various events unfold, and realize (at least I did) that climbing mountains isn'...more
This book is, essentially, a biography of Joe's life and climbing career. We get to go along for the ride as his sister eggs him on to do some outlandish things. We watch as he goes on his first mountain climbing adventure, feel with him as various events unfold, and realize (at least I did) that climbing mountains isn'...more
Ever since I read Joe Simpson's 'Touching the Void', I have been an admirer and had wanted to read other books from him. Still, it took me a few years after reading 'Touching the Void' to read 'This game of Ghosts'. Though this one is billed as a sequel to 'Touching the Void', it is more autobiographical and also philosophical about why he or anyone else climbs mountains. It also contains his reflections on so many of his mountaineering friends' deaths over the years on the mountains. It is an a...more
What I learned from this book was that Joe Simpson is not someone whom you don't want to share a rope.
This is a memoir that explores Joe's adventures from crazy childhood stunts to near-fatal climbing accidents. Simpson writes in an effort to understand his own reasons for taking such risks. He describes what it is like to face death, and works through the guilt of being spared so many times when other climbing friends and mentors were not.
Really a haunting book that is quit...more
This is a memoir that explores Joe's adventures from crazy childhood stunts to near-fatal climbing accidents. Simpson writes in an effort to understand his own reasons for taking such risks. He describes what it is like to face death, and works through the guilt of being spared so many times when other climbing friends and mentors were not.
Really a haunting book that is quit...more
This book attempts to explain the "why" of alpinists and mountaineers... Reading of Simpson's various failed attempts of 1st ascents makes you wonder a bit about his judgement as a climber. Interesting read, but glad he's not on my team.
Very touching, sad book about the people and friends he's climbed with. Also inspiring and helps those who climb, and those who dont, to understand why they climb and take the risks that we do
Touching the Void and this book inspired me to start hiking up mountains.
Outstanding. Equally as good as his previouls work, 'Touching The Void'
The best of the JS books. Well written, funny, sad and addictive!
One of my favourite books of the year 2000.
A thrilling look into why climbers climb.
I recomend everything by this author.
Joe Simpson has written several books on mountaineering, but this is his most personal because it gives you a glimpse into his early years and explains how mountaineering hooked him. It was interesting to finally learn about his familly and his childhood.
The picture on the cover was taken when he and his friend fell off the ledge of a mountain that they were sleeping on. Luckily, they had thought to strap themselves on (you'd think I would've learned some mountain climbing vocabulary...more
The picture on the cover was taken when he and his friend fell off the ledge of a mountain that they were sleeping on. Luckily, they had thought to strap themselves on (you'd think I would've learned some mountain climbing vocabulary...more
Jon Roland
added it
Favorite book of all time
An unflinching examination of the mountaineering life. Having spent much of his life in the mountains, those who have died around him on high peaks haunt the pages. He confronts central questions familiar to all of who push ourselves in the outdoors, and writes with refreshing candor.
Fascinating look into the culture of mountaineering as well as an expose on raw courage. I enjoyed getting inside Joe's head, not just hearing about his adventures. It does make me want to climb, or at least embrace the really hard, outside daily life things.
Interesting adventure book about a climber (same guy as Touching the void). Basically lived on welfare and almsot died a bunch of times. Interesting insight into the mind of climbers.
Ben Clarkson
marked it as to-read
Mark Hitchcock
marked it as to-read
Diana
marked it as to-read
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Joe Simpson is the author of the bestselling Touching the Void, as well as four subsequent non-fiction books published by The Mountaineers Books: This Game of Ghosts, Storms of Silence, Dark Shadows Falling, and The Beckoning Silence. The Beckoning Silence won the 2003 National Outdoor Book Award. The other three published by The Mountaineers Books were all shortlisted for the Boardman Tasker Awa...more
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