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This book may have began a genre of climbing/adventure accounts because it was written some time ago, and this, more than the content (in my opinion) is the reason this book is the number 1 mountaineering book of all time; at over 11 million copies sold.The first part is a bit slow and sort of parallel's the teams slow slogging through the land to get to the mountain. Overall, this was a harrowing and heroic feat, and gripping to read. It also opens the door to following books which dispute Herzog's point of view.Good, not great. And there are some great books about climbing.
Herzog provides a detailed perspective of the famed Annapurna climb that has inspired numerous high altitude and arm chair climbers. Suffering frostbite and unimaginable suffering, Herzog has made a statement, worth reading in his epic account. No other sport has it's center pieces so open in sharing their innermost feelings.The b/w photos were relatively scare and of only fair quality.
Reading the other reviews of this book, I'm reminded of a quote from one of my favorite, although little known Sean Connery movies, where he plays an Arab pirate. Alas, Herzog and his men didn't know where they were going, and spent a month wandering around looking. At one point Connery says to his second in command: "It is good." "What is good.", replies the other man. "It is good to know where we are going," answers Connery. It would have been good to send out an initial recon group to find the mountain before they started out. Or, to paraphrase an english adventurer, "to lose a pack animal is unfortunate; to lose an entire mountain seems downright careless."
The more I read about mountaineering, the more I agree that it is 75% mental and 25% physical. This is one of those real life adventure stories that has you wondering how much more the people can endure before they collapse and die. Wow. Being in the best physical condition possible definitely gives you a better opportunity for success on high ground. These guys climbed one of the world's most difficult mountains with old climbing technology. What they lacked in modern equipment, they made up for with strength and fitness. If you liked this book, I encourage you to read my book "Rocky Mountain Adventure Collection". Best wishes on your adventures in life.
A marvellous book. Remarkably written, griping, and inspiring. A must for all mountaineers.
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