Bradford Washburn: An Extraordinary Life: The Autobiography of a Mountaineering Icon

by Bradford Washburn, Lew Freedman

This memoir and autobiography of the legendary mountaineer Bradford Washburn is a great story and was completed before his death in 2007. He was one of the last  great explorers and adventureers of the twentieth century. Drawing from decades of memories, journals, and an exquisite photographic collection, Washburn completes the self-portrait of a man drawn to altitude, from his first great climb of Mount Washington at age eleven, through numerous first ascents of peaks all over the world.

Genres: Mountaineering, Nonfiction, Adventure, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Bradford Washburn was only 11 years old when his family rented a house on New Hampshire’s Squam Lake for the summer, he made his first ascent up Mount Washington and wrote his first book.

In high school, Washburn explored more of the White Mountains and at age 16 wrote a guidebook to the Presidentials, which included 39 of his own photographs. While still a teen, he hiked in Switzerland and wrote Among the Alps With Bradford, published in 1927.

Washburn studied geology and geography at Harvard and during his college years traveled to Alaska. After a not very successful attempt on Mt. Fairweather, Washburn realized that his greatest reward was not in the climb itself but rather in the science of exploration: documenting, mapping, and photographing what he saw.

Reviews

[Deb Grove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed reading true stories of mountaineering adventures and Brad Washburn (1910-2007) was one of the most remarkable with his ascents of Alaskan peaks. He also was the first to master aerial photography leaning out of a plane with a door removed while flying over the Alaskan wilderness. If you haven't seen his photos, you should check them out although you really need to see the ones printed in a large format taken with his Fairchild K-6 large format aerial camera using 8" roll film. https://www.washburngallery.org/view.... He created remarkable maps of various mountain ranges, including Denali, Mount Everest, and the Presidential Range in New Hampshire. He took over the Boston Museum of Natural Science in 1939 and is responsible for moving the lackluster museum at the time to its present location and making it the amazing place it is today. We visited it when our granddaughter was about 3 and she loved the interactive exhibits. Time to visit it again!

[Lauren J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This autobiography is a compelling story of an explorer who mapped many of our highest peaks as well as worked in the Museum of Science in Boston since it's inception. His historical climbs with his wife, his exploration of far off peaks and his adventures are told in the first person and are very exciting. If you love adventure books this is for you!

[Vanessa Mozayani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Bradford Washburn’s photography exhibition in August when we visited the Anchorage Museum. I wondered how did Bradford capture these wonderful photos back in his time. I saw his book in Denali National Park and just had to read it. I am in awe of this man’s accomplishments.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing autobiography of a life of adventure. The stories Mr Washburn tells are as incredible as they are humble.

[Deslni01 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bradford Washburn led a remarkable life. He is famous in Alaska for his exploration and mountaineering. He was the first to ascend over a dozen mountains - and discovering several along the way - while capturing remarkable photographs published in National Geographic and on display in several museums. He studied and collected data for geological survey work. Washburn also spent time as a cartographer, mapping the Mount McKinley, the Grand Canyon and Everest, among a large amount of other maps. However, his true pride was envisioning and building the Museum of Science in Boston.[return][return]The statement from Harvard, upon presenting Washburn with an honorary degree (which he seems to collect, he has so many!) does a wonderful job summarizing Washburn:[return][return]Traveler, explorer and map maker. He has moved mountains by changing a dusty Boston institution into a lively educational adventure for young and old.[return][return]Published only two years before his death (at the young age of 97), Bradford Washburn's autobiography brings his interesting story to life. Complete with a wonderful collection of photographs throughout his life and adventures (including a picture of him climbing a climbing-wall at the age of 88!), the reader is truly able to get a feel for the explorer and his long life.[return][return]Although some parts may seem a little slow, and certain passages seem to be irrelevant and jump around a bit, any reader - not just mountaineering buffs - should take part in the exploration and adventures of Bradford Washburn.

[lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brad Washburn is one of those persons who knows what he likes to do early on in life and is able to do it, both through his own initiative and lucky coincidences. He loved to hike and climb and spent his youth in the mountains of New Hampshire. He loved photography and was able to land a job with National Geographic doing just that a a very young age. He expanded his love of mountaineering to include Alaska and spent much of his adult life climbing many of that state's highest peak, falling in love with each one and particularly with Mt. McKinley. He was also an accomplished surveyor and was commissioned to map his beloved McKinley, Grand Canyon and the Himalaya. He marries a woman who shares his love of adventure and a lifetime job as Director of the New England Museum of Natural History/Science which allows him to coordinate his other interests with the significant accomplishment of expanding and improving that institution. An interesting autobiography of a man who seemingly was able to have it all.

[Graphic Arts Center Pub. Co. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the last surviving explorers and adventurers of the 20th century, Dr. Bradford Washburn, now in his 90s, provides the most detailed look at his multifaceted, exciting career. Washburn is renowned for his pioneering work in aerial photography in Alaska’s mountains, his thirteen first ascents of Alaskan peaks, his devotion to science, and his decades-long relationship with the National Geographic Society. Washburn is also famed for his meticulous cartography, having mapped Mount McKinley, Mount Everest, and the Grand Canyon. He led the first ascent of the popular West Buttress route on the 20,320-foot Mount McKinley. And for four decades, he’s been a major player in leading and developing Boston’s Museum of Science. This autobiography also offers rare photographs and little-known anecdotes about Washburn’s World War II service, other explorations, and his special partnership with wife Barbara.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard various tales about mountaineers in my lifetime, but was never really able to hear about it firsthand, from their own personal view. The pictures that the author included made his story all the more real, because the pictures were as tangible as the words. While reading this book, I could close my eyes and imagine myself in the great outdoors, learning all the tricks the mountains have to share. To know that the author is in his 90s is almost unbelievable, but reading his story shows the reader exactly how fascinating his life truly was. Though it took me a while to read this book, the only reason why is because I kept going back to look at the pictures (which really added to the story). If you are into learning about great adventurers, this book is definitely a must-read.

[Elizabeth Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bradford Washburn lead a very interesting life. Enjoyed the book and reading about his adventures and pioneering discoveries - his photography and map making - his mountaineering which seemed to stress safely measures. Almost - but not quite- makes one want to scale mountains. Thanks Goodreads for my free copy.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The events this individual does is fascinating. Not everyone one would want do this type of life. The associations this man has made due to his lifestyle is fascinating. I can't wait to read the rest of his books.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I think the part of the title that says "An Extraordinary Life" says it all, it was amazing to read of all the things he has done in his lifetime! It makes you want to get out and push your own personal envelope a little more. Also enjoyed all of the photographs in the book.

[YYY]

Thank you First Reads for winning this free book. I will read and review soon.