Love this list, and second the James Salter recommendation – you really can't go wrong with him. I would add "Starlight and Storm," Gaston Rébuffat's starkly beautiful account of mid-century Alpinism. My copy is part of the Modern Library Exploration series edited by Jon Krakauer, and it even sports a quote from Sir John Hunt on the cover: "One of the great climbers of all time . . . who has discovered through the medium of mountains the true perspective of living."
I’ll third the Salter choice. First read it about 20 years ago when it was the only seemingly interesting choice of a very small English selection in a bookstore in Stuttgart. It was my introduction to an excellent writer.
A newly published book in the UK is 'The Moth and the Mountain' by Ed Caesars. It recounts the tale of a British ex-army officer who in the 1930's firstly learnt to fly, then flew a Gipsy Moth to Nepal and finally attempted to climb Everest. Needless to say it didn't end well!
I have heard of this one and, in fact, Ed Caesar was interviewed recently on one of my favorite pods, The Adventure Podcast. I've now added his book to my queue of audiobooks. Thanks!
You really should check out First On The Rope by Roger Frison-Roche, a classic of classic French mountaineering literature, recently translated and easily available on Amazon. A truly excellent (semi) fictional account of life as a Chamonix mountain guide in the 1920s.
Into Thin Air is an all time favourite. Found my copy in a second hand bookshop in the Australian Blue Mountains - It’ll get read at least once a year.
A great list of books and will have to try a James Salter novel. One of my favourite books is the epic Into the Silence by Wade Davis about the first three British expeditions to Everest in 1921, 22 and 24. A very detailed book about personalities involved and mental and physical trauma that the First World War had on them. A very brilliant and engrossing read!
The Sea and The Snow by Philip Temple is a great read. Mid 60’s expedition that sailed to Heard Island in the Southern ocean and then climbed an unclimbed peak. Not a well know climb, mostly Aussie and Kiwis, but HW Tillman was on it and the writing is similar.
I actually picked up Into Thin Air at a used bookstore about two hours before this post, glad to see it recommended!
Such a good read, man!
Love this list, and second the James Salter recommendation – you really can't go wrong with him. I would add "Starlight and Storm," Gaston Rébuffat's starkly beautiful account of mid-century Alpinism. My copy is part of the Modern Library Exploration series edited by Jon Krakauer, and it even sports a quote from Sir John Hunt on the cover: "One of the great climbers of all time . . . who has discovered through the medium of mountains the true perspective of living."
I’ll third the Salter choice. First read it about 20 years ago when it was the only seemingly interesting choice of a very small English selection in a bookstore in Stuttgart. It was my introduction to an excellent writer.
A good list.
A newly published book in the UK is 'The Moth and the Mountain' by Ed Caesars. It recounts the tale of a British ex-army officer who in the 1930's firstly learnt to fly, then flew a Gipsy Moth to Nepal and finally attempted to climb Everest. Needless to say it didn't end well!
I've yet to read it but it's been highly recommended and the background to the story can be found on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Wilson
I have heard of this one and, in fact, Ed Caesar was interviewed recently on one of my favorite pods, The Adventure Podcast. I've now added his book to my queue of audiobooks. Thanks!
You really should check out First On The Rope by Roger Frison-Roche, a classic of classic French mountaineering literature, recently translated and easily available on Amazon. A truly excellent (semi) fictional account of life as a Chamonix mountain guide in the 1920s.
Into Thin Air is an all time favourite. Found my copy in a second hand bookshop in the Australian Blue Mountains - It’ll get read at least once a year.
A great list of books and will have to try a James Salter novel. One of my favourite books is the epic Into the Silence by Wade Davis about the first three British expeditions to Everest in 1921, 22 and 24. A very detailed book about personalities involved and mental and physical trauma that the First World War had on them. A very brilliant and engrossing read!
The Sea and The Snow by Philip Temple is a great read. Mid 60’s expedition that sailed to Heard Island in the Southern ocean and then climbed an unclimbed peak. Not a well know climb, mostly Aussie and Kiwis, but HW Tillman was on it and the writing is similar.
Will seek this one out, thanks! I love stories that involve multiple modes of transport and adventure.