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Sheer Will: the Inspiring Life and Climbs of Michael Groom
369 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 16, 2025
The very frank and emotionless style actually worked really well for me, because the author doesn't hesitate to include details that call his judgment or actions into question as well as the ones that make him look good. His interactions with the Sherpa are particularly moving to me, as they are described in the same way his interactions with Westerner climbers are. This was my last primary account of the 1996 Everest disaster to read, and I can tell you, that level of respect for the Sherpa guides was a standout amongst all of them.
May 17, 2020
It took me a while to get into the book. The storytelling was not that captivating. It was a bit emotionless and read more like a journal. But with each passing chapter I felt more connected to the book and its author. Michael has led an incredibly inspiring life and provides an intimate view into a mountaineer’s life. He is proof of what humans are capable of when they act from a place of confidence, openness to take risks and sheer will.
August 17, 2017
Such an inspirational story, and an amazingly humble person. I feel very privileged to have met someone with such drive, and his story inspires me to keep going when I think times are getting tough.
February 26, 2023
The introductory chapter was absolutly superb with the writer ending on a cliffhanger that would not be resolved until over 100pgs later. Clever! I admit I had to jump to pg 157 to quickly scan the outcome.
While I am not in the slightest interested in mountaineering, this book is much more than that, which I think helped keep the appeal to finish reading and learn about grooms journey, personal and physical.
This book has themes of interpersonal strength, ethically moral decisions and how personal mindset and determiniation can drive a person to achieve their wildest dreams, with undertones of recognising that with failure comes positive learning stones.
This biography was an emotional roller-coaster, that was because of the writing style and descriptive landscape an easy read, that captivated me and forced me to mull over, long after I had finished the book.
While I am not in the slightest interested in mountaineering, this book is much more than that, which I think helped keep the appeal to finish reading and learn about grooms journey, personal and physical.
This book has themes of interpersonal strength, ethically moral decisions and how personal mindset and determiniation can drive a person to achieve their wildest dreams, with undertones of recognising that with failure comes positive learning stones.
This biography was an emotional roller-coaster, that was because of the writing style and descriptive landscape an easy read, that captivated me and forced me to mull over, long after I had finished the book.
August 14, 2025
Was mixing up the ‘Into Thin Air’ disaster with ‘Touching the Void’ so kept expecting a rope to be dramatically and solemnly cut - appropriately nerve racking as Groom detailed descending from the summit on his last climbing expedition (with his son’s toy tucked safely into his back pack). Nevertheless the book was filled with dramatic-enough experiences - not least of which included Groom losing a third of both feet to frostbite in ‘87, struggling to walk, proceeding to summit Everest twice a decade later, and losing 8 fellow climbers on his second attempt in ‘96.
A fantastic memoir - written with all the exactitude and chronology of a mountain climber - that at once invigorates such a sense of adventure, and such a sense of awe at others’ capacity for adventure. This book has left me longing for the mountains once more while also wondering if the bald acknowledgement of danger from 20th century mountaineering is perhaps something lost from contemporary Nepal expeditions?
Groom closes the book with a humble yet extremely forthright chapter about how mountaineers make their own luck on the mountains (kinda banging) before ending with this quote from Phillip Adams: “When people say to me “How come you do so many things?’, I often answer them, without meaning to be cruel: ‘How come you do so little?’ It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don’t. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever.”
A fantastic memoir - written with all the exactitude and chronology of a mountain climber - that at once invigorates such a sense of adventure, and such a sense of awe at others’ capacity for adventure. This book has left me longing for the mountains once more while also wondering if the bald acknowledgement of danger from 20th century mountaineering is perhaps something lost from contemporary Nepal expeditions?
Groom closes the book with a humble yet extremely forthright chapter about how mountaineers make their own luck on the mountains (kinda banging) before ending with this quote from Phillip Adams: “When people say to me “How come you do so many things?’, I often answer them, without meaning to be cruel: ‘How come you do so little?’ It seems to me that people have vast potential. Most people can do extraordinary things if they have the confidence or take the risks. Yet most people don’t. They sit in front of the telly and treat life as if it goes on forever.”
November 12, 2017
What an amazing life this man has led!
This book tells of his many experiences (both good and very bad) while climbing the world's highest peaks. It was inspirational I guess in that it showed that no matter what problems you may face, with enough drive and determination, nearly anything is possible! Even after losing all his toes and part of the pads of both feet, he continued to climb, often while experiencing severe pain.
Some would call it madness I guess, but it is awe inspiring nonetheless!!!! I feel sorry for the families of these climbers who often have to stay at home, only hearing rarely from their loved one while he/she is away attempting death defying activities. Not only that, but the expense involved in these climbs is truly enormous!
These tales draw me in even though I have no desire to attempt anything like it!
If you are one of those people, you will enjoy reading about Michael's experiences.
This book tells of his many experiences (both good and very bad) while climbing the world's highest peaks. It was inspirational I guess in that it showed that no matter what problems you may face, with enough drive and determination, nearly anything is possible! Even after losing all his toes and part of the pads of both feet, he continued to climb, often while experiencing severe pain.
Some would call it madness I guess, but it is awe inspiring nonetheless!!!! I feel sorry for the families of these climbers who often have to stay at home, only hearing rarely from their loved one while he/she is away attempting death defying activities. Not only that, but the expense involved in these climbs is truly enormous!
These tales draw me in even though I have no desire to attempt anything like it!
If you are one of those people, you will enjoy reading about Michael's experiences.
September 8, 2024
It’s taken me a long time to read this book in between others. I have to say it didn’t inspire me despite being a Brisbane writer who overcame severely debilitating injuries in his quest to conquer the 5 highest peaks in the world. It just made me wonder why anyone would want to at such personal risk and cost.
August 2, 2023
After reading Into Thin Air, I had the need to read both Sheer Will and The Climb, to make my own judgement, only to realise how crystal clear it is that Groom’s and Jon’s version of events in both Sheer Will and in Into Thin Air is the most accurate.
This is a fantastic book. Totally recommended.
This is a fantastic book. Totally recommended.
May 16, 2025
Sheer Will is a very accurate title…. every climb he does I expect him to give, but no, he just goes to another mountain and goes through another series of traumatic and life threatening events?! Michael you’re insane and I love it
April 28, 2020
Incredible book, highly recommended to anyone with any background in outdoor sports
December 19, 2019
This man has a seriously impressive mountaineering resumè. Aussie pride.
It was a pleasure to read about his experiences, good and bad - things don't always go to plan, particularly above 8000m.
A hidden gem of mountaineering literature.
It was a pleasure to read about his experiences, good and bad - things don't always go to plan, particularly above 8000m.
A hidden gem of mountaineering literature.
December 28, 2011
Great book about Aussie mountain climber Michael Groom.
October 23, 2016
Yet another mountaineering memoir. What these guys do is amazing, but for my taste it doesn't make for particularly great reading. Would rather just get out in the hills myself.
April 21, 2017
Read while staying where he grew up, at Binna Burra Lodge outside Brisbane, Australia -- during Cyclone Debbie. Remembered him from earlier reading about the 1996 tragedies on Mt. Everest; he was one of Rob Hall's assistants on that climb, and one who handled things honorably and admirably on that horrible day.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews