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8th out of 114 books
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The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest
As the climbers of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster vanished into thin air, one man had the courage to bring them down alive...
On May 10, 1996, two commercial expeditions headed by expert leaders attempted to scale the world's largest peak. But things went terribly wrong. Crowded conditions, bad judgement, and a bitter storm stopped many climbers in their tracks. Others ...more
Mass Market Paperback, 297 pages
Published
July 15th 1998
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
(first published 1997)
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Anatoli is the man..., or was I should say.
I've read a lot of comments others have written about this book, and how many people say that Krakauer's book is so much more entertaining and blah blah blah.... I look for validity in non-fiction. I happen to believe a man who's been climbing since he was a teenager and has the resume that Bourkreev has, he also seems to be a man of more action than words. Lets not forget that Krakauer is a writer and has to sell books.
Anatoli deserves mo...more
I've read a lot of comments others have written about this book, and how many people say that Krakauer's book is so much more entertaining and blah blah blah.... I look for validity in non-fiction. I happen to believe a man who's been climbing since he was a teenager and has the resume that Bourkreev has, he also seems to be a man of more action than words. Lets not forget that Krakauer is a writer and has to sell books.
Anatoli deserves mo...more
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I read this one after Into Thin Air because I knew there was some controversy created by Krakauer's version of events. This book was definitely interesting as a way to fill in the gaps, and also as an example of a different approach to telling the story of the 1996 Everest disaster.
This book is often described as more "technical," but really it's just a lot more focused on describing the sequence of events. Where Krakauer's book inhabits a middle ground between talking ab...more
This book is often described as more "technical," but really it's just a lot more focused on describing the sequence of events. Where Krakauer's book inhabits a middle ground between talking ab...more
2.5 stars:
This is another personal account of the disasterous 1996 season on Everest which John Krakauer wrote about in "Into Thin Air". A lot of people died and there was a lot of controversy surrounding some of the statements made in Krakauer's book and statements made by others about the actions of guides on the mtn and the way events unfurled. Anatoli Boukreev is a professional climber and guide who was in the thick of it and while he is very informative and insightful, the b...more
This is another personal account of the disasterous 1996 season on Everest which John Krakauer wrote about in "Into Thin Air". A lot of people died and there was a lot of controversy surrounding some of the statements made in Krakauer's book and statements made by others about the actions of guides on the mtn and the way events unfurled. Anatoli Boukreev is a professional climber and guide who was in the thick of it and while he is very informative and insightful, the b...more
Bryan
added it
The other side of a well-known story: Every story has two sides. In this book, readers of Jon Krakauer's best selling Into Thin Air can hear the other side of that particular tale. It's my opinion that no one ought to read one without also reading the other.
On May 10, 1996, a winter storm decided to attack the world's highest mountain in spring. Caught in the well-named Death Zone, so high above sea level that the bodies of climbers who linger there literally start to die, the members of two c...more
On May 10, 1996, a winter storm decided to attack the world's highest mountain in spring. Caught in the well-named Death Zone, so high above sea level that the bodies of climbers who linger there literally start to die, the members of two c...more
This book by G. Weston DeWalt and Anatoly Boukreev is an excellent description of the facts surrounding the Fischer and Hall expeditions to Everest in May 1996. De Walt does an excellent job of chronicling events and clearing up discrepancies caused by other authors.
Anatoly Boukreev is a hero who saved several people's lives that day. He was unfairly and unjustly criticized by other authors seeking to find a villian that day.
The villians were the weather, consisting of a st...more
Anatoly Boukreev is a hero who saved several people's lives that day. He was unfairly and unjustly criticized by other authors seeking to find a villian that day.
The villians were the weather, consisting of a st...more
People mostly associate the '96 Everest tragedy with Jon Krakauer's book Into Thin Air, which boldly touts Anatoli Boukreev as selfish and neglectful so it is no surprise that Boukreev wanted to clear his name with his own view of the incident. In essence, this book is a detailed rebuttal to Into Thin Air. I don't blame anyone for wanting to dispute his/her own smear campaign and there is a lot of fascinating grit to the story, unlike Beck Weathers' weak Left for Dead. The details are amazing, e...more
This is another account of the 1996 Everest expedition and ensuing disaster. The writer, Anatoli Boukreev was one of the guides on the Mountain Madness expedition without Jon Krakauer, and it gives more detailed information about this other group of very interesting people. Another way that it differs from Jon Krak's book is that it gives detailed stories about the months before the Everest climb when the guides had to go early and set things up with the Sherpas. It gives an account of the cl...more
After having read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer, I had an impression of this particular Everest expedition that, as I have found out, is completely erroneous. Mr. Krakauer unjustly and inexcusably defamed Anatoli Boukreev by painting a false picture of an event that took the lives of five individuals and left many others ravaged and haunted. This book, The Climb, presents information as gathered by the Everest team itself and Mr. Boukreev’s account of this expedition.
Not only was An...more
Not only was An...more
I am glad that Boukreev had a chance to share his perspective on the 1996 Everest tragedy before he died. Many reviewers on goodreads commented on the more tedious style of this book compared to Into Thin Air. I thoroughly enjoyed it, reading it in 2 sittings. Boukreev's climbing and summiting experience make this a fascinating look at many details of an Everest climb. Although Bookreev does not share his personal life directly, the reader learns much about him through his conversations, decisio...more
Interesting to see the counter-story, but without a doubt, Krakauer's has far more factual backing and truthfully presented research. This book was self-serving to a point of failing factually (and that is DeWalt's fault, not Boukreev's)...
Since many people reviewing this book are using the space to argue Boukreevs skill and character, incorrectly assuming that this validates his account, I wanted to address some of those ideas.
Some reviewers are failing to realize a few...more
Since many people reviewing this book are using the space to argue Boukreevs skill and character, incorrectly assuming that this validates his account, I wanted to address some of those ideas.
Some reviewers are failing to realize a few...more
I like extreme sports. Or rather, I like ‘watching’ extreme sports. But I have never had the desire to climb anything higher than oxygen. The people who do this are friggin nuts. Yet, if I were to go, I would want someone like Boukreev at my side.
There is a substantial difference in opinion from Krakauers account (Into Thin Air), which, of course, garnered all the acclaim, and Boukreev resolutely disagrees with the more prosaic account. Well, it should have been prosaic—Krakauer was...more
There is a substantial difference in opinion from Krakauers account (Into Thin Air), which, of course, garnered all the acclaim, and Boukreev resolutely disagrees with the more prosaic account. Well, it should have been prosaic—Krakauer was...more
Probably a 3 1/2 star book if that were an option.
I found the account fascinating. I have just read Krakauer's account "Into Thin Air" and liked reading both sides of the story and having some gaps filled in by reading both accounts.
Krakauer's account is easier to read and more entertaining. I also felt that Boukreev's account is more defensive (which maybe it ought to be in response to Krakauer's).
However, I respect Boukreev as a client but don't ...more
I found the account fascinating. I have just read Krakauer's account "Into Thin Air" and liked reading both sides of the story and having some gaps filled in by reading both accounts.
Krakauer's account is easier to read and more entertaining. I also felt that Boukreev's account is more defensive (which maybe it ought to be in response to Krakauer's).
However, I respect Boukreev as a client but don't ...more
An intense account of the 1996 Everest climb based on the testimonies of Anatoli Boukreev, the leading guide of one of the expeditions and of some of the climbers he accompanied. Those who read Krakauer’s Into thin air about the same climb, should read this book too to get a different view of what happened. The book is very involving, reporting the direct words of Boukreev and of several climbers who took part in the expedition, and that all together recreate the atmosphere, the excitement and f...more
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Overall a good account of what happened on the 1996 Fischer (Mountain Madness) Everest expedition - statements seem to be corroborated and backed up with other sources. I find it ironic that the Fischer expedition group, where one person died, got all the attention in this and other books, while the Hall expedition group, where three people died, got little to no attention. The fact that Anatoli's biggest detractor was Krakauer certainly seems to suggest that Krakauer is trying to focus attent...more
A fascinating account of what happened on Mount Everest in May of 1996. Written in response to Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" Anatoli Booukreev defends his climbing without oxygen and going on ahead of his team to reach the summit. His best reply, I thought, was his answer to Krakauer's criticism about not using oxygen. When the stragglers did not show up at base camp, Boukreev describes how he went back out into the white out and saved several people, while Krakauer simply went to...more
The 1996 Everest disaster made famous by 'Into thin air' by Jon Krakauer has its share of biases and wrong depiction of events, including the role of Anatoly Boukareev who was shown in poor light in the book as relinquishing responsibility and as not one who risked self to save others. However, the accounts of others on the climb that very day and interviews of other team members throw a different picture, that of a helpful Boukareev who not only risked his life but also saw that he aids people ...more
Nearly finished this audio book. I may have to re-read Jon Krakauer's 'Into Thin Air', as it appears that one of the reasons for the writing of this book is to clear the good name of the co-author. It seems that Krakauers initial magazine article and subsequent book call into question the actions of Anatoli Boukreev.
No matter; this has been a great story. I have long been fascinated with Everest stories, and this one tells of the tragic events of May 10, 1996, when five climbers in two gr...more
No matter; this has been a great story. I have long been fascinated with Everest stories, and this one tells of the tragic events of May 10, 1996, when five climbers in two gr...more
A very interesting read on the tragic events on Everest in May of 1996 by one of the guides who was there and survived.
I would strongly recommend reading this book if you have already read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. Reading these two together does a number of things: 1) gives a balance to the stories coming off of the mountain 2) demonstrates how 2 people in the same place witnessing the same event can have such different takes on it, and 3)really demonstrates how much altitude...more
I would strongly recommend reading this book if you have already read Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer. Reading these two together does a number of things: 1) gives a balance to the stories coming off of the mountain 2) demonstrates how 2 people in the same place witnessing the same event can have such different takes on it, and 3)really demonstrates how much altitude...more
"The Climb" tells the story of the 1996 Everest disaster, in which a series of bad decisions and coincidences led to the deaths of 5 climbers, among them Rob Hall and Scott Fishcer, who were among the best in their professions. The focus of the narrative is the experience of Russian guide Anatoli Boukreev. To understand "The Climb" one pretty much needs to also have read "Into Thin Air", another account of the disaster authored by Jon Krakauer, who was also among th...more
Having read Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, I figured reading this book about the same 1996 Everest climbing tragedy would be repetitive. I was pleasantly surprised to gain a whole new perspective on the event. Anatoli Boukreev was a guide for the Mountain Madness team. Krakauer was a client on a different team. Boukreev's experience is that of a mountaineering expert and employee of a novice adventure businnessman. Hearing his interpretation of the events challenges Krakauer's portrayal of the tr...more
This was just tragic- just as in Krakauer's book, the disaster could be seen looming, although, with better luck, it could have all worked out right, too. How many Everest expeditions teeter on the knife point between success and failure? All of them? Most of them?
Admittedly, I read this primarily because Jon Krakauer painted such a bleak portrait of Boukreev in "Into Thin Air," which I read several years ago. Even then it seemed to me that Boukreev was used as a scapegoat-...more
Admittedly, I read this primarily because Jon Krakauer painted such a bleak portrait of Boukreev in "Into Thin Air," which I read several years ago. Even then it seemed to me that Boukreev was used as a scapegoat-...more
This is an awesome book. It doesnt read like like a dramatic novel the way that Krakauer's book does, but I found the insight into what goes into planning and executing a guided trip to the top of Mt. Everest fascinating.
It also gives Anatoli Boukreev his chance to counter Krakauer's charges that he was largely to blame for the deaths in their groups. As he points out: Only one person on his team died and that was the team leader who stayed high on the mountain for far to long to...more
It also gives Anatoli Boukreev his chance to counter Krakauer's charges that he was largely to blame for the deaths in their groups. As he points out: Only one person on his team died and that was the team leader who stayed high on the mountain for far to long to...more
This is a must read companion to Into Thin Air. Krakauer takes a ton of shots at Boukreev in his book. It is not only fair, but interesting to see both sides of the event. Boukreev makes a lot of great points criticizing Krakauer's perspective.
I highly recommend reading The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev and Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest by Jamling Tenzing Norgay. Krakauer's story is well written, Boukreev's is a bit self-serving, and Norgay's is a gre...more
I highly recommend reading The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev and Touching My Father's Soul: A Sherpa's Journey to the Top of Everest by Jamling Tenzing Norgay. Krakauer's story is well written, Boukreev's is a bit self-serving, and Norgay's is a gre...more
Anatoli Boukreev wrote this book (aided largely by Weston DeWalt) in response to Jon Krakauer's less than flattering portrayal of his actions during the 1996 Everest disaster in Into Thin Air. Anyway you look at the situation, Boukreev is a hero, and this is a compelling account of those tragic events on Everest from his point of view. However, the major problem with this book is that even if Boukreev is a better man than Krakauer (and though Boukreev is modest, proving that statement does seem ...more
This book presents a counter report about the ill-fated Mt. Everest expedition in 1996 where 5 people died and several others were so frost-bitten as to lose extremities. Boukreev takes Jon Krakauer (Up in Thin Air) to task for his refusal to report accurately on the trek and Boukreev's role in the rescue of several of the members of the expedition. The deaths can be seen as being caused by a failure to turn around and descend at 2PM or possibly suffer the often deterioration of the weather. Som...more
Another account of the tragic 1996 attempt to climb Everest, this time by a memeber of the Mountain Madness guide, Anatoli Boukreev. A highly skilled mountaineer,his strength and courage saved the lives of 3 members (clients) of his expedition. His account is a odds with that of Jon Kakrauer's (Into Thin Air) one, that paints Anatoli as a coward. I will now read "Into Thin Air" again and make up my own mind.
All and all climbing Everest is a very dangerous task and decisions ...more
All and all climbing Everest is a very dangerous task and decisions ...more
I read this after Into Thin Air, it was good to get a different perspective.
This was a very straight forward account of the tragic 1996 summit bid by several expeditions, as recounted by one of the guides, Anatoli Boukreev. I had just finished a documentary on Everest and remembered reading Into Thin Air five years ago, and was interested in the differences between Kraukauer's account and Boukreev. Though Kraukauer is a better writer, I think I enjoyed this straight forward accounting more. It is a good read and though I don't understand some of the insane desire to ...more
For anyone who hasn't read Jon Krakauer's 'into thin air', this is a matched set in which both writers discuss the same tragedy. This book reads like a bad apology as Boukreev tries to rationalize the mistakes he made in guiding a group of people to their death on everest. I don't mean to say that Krakauer's version is completely unbiased, but he was certainly more disinterested than Boukreev. Not only does Krakauer not waste needless, boring time trying to explain bad decisions (as Boukreev ...more
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