Everest : From Eighty Years of Human Endeavour

by Peter Gillman

For most of this century, Mount Everest has been considered the ultimate symbol of human endeavour. Everest being the highest summit in the world, has been the crowning target for the world's most courageous mountaineers ever since the first attempt to climb it in 1921. This, in turn, has stimulated some of the finest writings and photography in the canon of mountaineering, brought together for the first time in this stunning volume. The authors and photographers range from the climbers on the epic attempts of the 1920s and 1930s, men such as George Finch and Howard Somervell, through to Sir Edmund Hillary, Tom Hornbein and Peter Boardman from the post-war decades, to such contemporary figures as Chris Bonington, Doug Scott and Stephen Venables. Peter Gillman's selection also includes some of Everest's most dramatic and controversial episodes, such as the disputed Chinese ascent of 1960 and the enigma of the yeti.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mountaineering, Adventure, Travel, History, Climbing

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

Reviews

[Tyler Mower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a bit biased when it comes to Everest. I've been fascinated with it every since watching a special report in 1996 about the tragedy on its slopes that year.

I loved the historical context this book provides about the early expeditions that set out to conquer the tallest mountain on earth. The bravery, determination, and logistics that went into it were like voyages of discovery centuries ago setting out for the complete unknown.

I loved learning about the evolution of high mountain climbing and seeing the improved techniques used to conquer the mountain. Modern stories of Everest typically only focus on the south and most popular route to the summit, with a few stories form the northern face as well. One of the most fascinating aspects of this book is it covers the history of climbing Everest from almost every climbable route, and largely told by the climbers to took on the challenge.

If Everest has ever piqued your imagination, you need to read this book. In so doing you will gain better respect for the mountain and the brave men and women mountaineers (not tourist climbers) who gave their all to write their stories in first ascents up Everest's soaring ridges and snowy slopes.

[Ade Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the casual reader, a superb collection of contextualising history and climbers' stories. The photographs and production values are excellent. It's the only climbing book I own.

[Todd Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific look at the worlds highest mountain.