Mystery on Everest: A Photobiography Of George Mallory

by Audrey Salkeld

A dashing, determined adventurer, Mallory tried to climb Mount Everest three times, dying on his final attempt. His daring exploits—and the mystery of whether he reached the summit before he died—will hold young readers’ interest from cover to cover.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Mountaineering, Adventure

64 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2000

Reviews

[Stasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second read about Mount Everest this year. This one sort of gave me the creeps...the pictures are interesting but eerie, and it's weird to think about Mallory and Irvine lying up there for years with no one knowing what happened exactly... Did Mallory make it to the summit first? I guess we'll never know.

[Madison Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very interesting and keeps you on the edge of your seat, wanting to read more .

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA Biography-Historical

[Mackenzie Navarrete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Date: 11/7/23
Genre: Biographical Nonfiction
Level: 4th+
Review: Mystery on Everest which is the story of George Mallory was so moving but sad. He tried three times to climb Mount Everest but sadly he died on his third time to climb Everest. I was hooked the entire time reading it to see what happened and to see if he accomplished his goals. Another great story that exhibits someone who never gave up on his dreams! It was an exciting read and teaches kids to never give up.

[Silena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about the first men who may have climbed Mount Everest 29 years before the accepted first summit.

[Kelsey McLane · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching Everest, I felt compelled to learn everything I could about Mount Everest, including starting with George Mallory. This man may or may not have been the first man to stand on the summit of Mount Everest, but he will remain a mystery for forever. For those looking at the origins of climbs on this mountain, and the man that started it all, this quick read with incredible photos will definitely catch you up to speed!

[Laura Verret · Rating 4 out of 5]

From his earliest days, George Mallory was a person who thrived on encountering and overcoming challenges. One of his favorite activities was climbing – climbing trees, church buildings, and eventually local mountains. He thrived academically – mathematics was his favorite subject – and participated in his schools’ gymnastic pursuits. By the time he had decided to become a teacher, he was also an avid mountain climber, scaling passes which others found completely impossible.

George married Ruth Turner the week before World War I broke out and after two years George left to fight on France. He returned unscathed but tougher – his thirst for mountaineering was unfazed. Eventually, his sights turned to Mount Everest.

But conquering Everest required far more than simply climbing. It required planning – strategizing effective routes, purchasing necessary equipment, and setting goals to be met by specific dates. Again and again George and his team attempted to ascend Everest – time after time they were halted by unforeseen accidents, hazardous weather, and physical exhaustion.

On June 8, 1924, as George and his companion, Andrew Irvine began the last leg of the ascent to the top of Mount Everest. They disappeared and were never heard from again. Was Mallory the first to conquer Everest? We will never know.

Conclusion. A great retelling of the life of an indomitable man.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book club assignment is to read about George Mallory who said of Mount Everest "because it's there." One of two books I got from the library is this children's book, which is not a bad place to start, to get an overview. I cannot understand mountain climbing still, but this book goes a way toward explaining the challenge of finding the right way to approach, equipping, assembling the right team. But he dies on that mountain, and that seems too high a price to pay for the challenge and adventure.

[Cesally Shermam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This photobiography book tells the story of George Mallory and his drive for adventure from the very beginning of his life until his death. Mallory yearned to climb to the top of Mount Everest and after three tries Mallory reached 28,00 feet but unfortunately perished on this last attempt. I gave the book a four out of five because although it is interesting, it is a little hard to follow at times. I think that the dominant themes of the book be aware of your choices, and being cautious. I think that the appropriate age for this book would be 12.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written short biography of mountaineer and teacher, George Mallory. The language used is easily accessible for upper elementary and middle school, but not so simplified that it would seem juvenile for older readers. It covers Mallory's childhood and young adult life briefly and then primarily focuses on his Everest attempts. The abundant photographs, most from Mallory's own teams, are wonderful and really add depth to the historical value and interest of the story.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 64 page photobiography, Mystery on Everest is an exciting books. It’s the story of how George Mallory attempted to peak Mount Everest three times. Failing the first two times. However, he never made it back from his third attempt. He died in the day he was meant to make it to the top. The mystery lives to this day, no one knows whether or not he made it. I think it’s a great book that taught me a lot about climbing, hiking and mountaineering.

[Betsy Brainerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used this to refresh my memory before seeing the new IMAX movie about re-creating Mallory's last attempt to summit Everest. Written for young adults, it contains useful pictures, an easy-to-follow narrative and excerpts from original correspondence covering George Mallory's three separate trips to Everest.

[Carol Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was interested in this book because of J. Archer's book "Path of Glory". I was pleased to see that Mr. Archer used so many true facts. the question remains. Did George Mallory reach the summit of Everest? The romantic in me wants to think so.

[Lori]

I love this book! I plan on reading it again and again. I really want to share it with some of the kids I work with, but it will be hard to hand it over for even a short time. Everest intrigues me and to think this was (not proven) the first guy to climb it is amazing.

[Sherry Thornberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book about the conquering of Everest. George Mallory tried 3 times and never succeeded, dying on his third attempt. I enjoyed the read but could not help but wonder what compelled Mallory at his core, To fight the summit 3 times. He certainly endeavored to persevere.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick and interesting read. It mainly focused on the three expeditions to Everest lead by Mallory, before his death in 1924.

[eLLen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked having lots of photos to help tell the biography of George Mallory. The bio was interesting, albeit brief, but memorable.

[Kefira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing true story of dreams, drive, determination and death. Is it worth it?