The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest by Anatoli Boukreev, G. Weston DeWalt Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest
Book Review: Short of the Summit
Summary: 2 Stars
The Climb gave me a new look on the '96 Tragedy other than from Krakauer and Lenne's books, so it was worth a read. However, the book should not be within the ranks of "novel" status. It should be among the "counter-arguement" ranks. It concentrates entirely too much on "damage control" for Anatoli and not on the climb. The book doesn't even hint that Anatoli may have been in the wrong on several occassions (because I believe there were several). There were also many instances where the author drives home the arguements that Krakauer makes in "Into Thin Air". Even the greatest have their moments of bad decisions... this book is one of them for the author.Book Review: The 1996 Disaster From Another View Point
Summary: 3 Stars
In 1996 one of the worst mountain climbing disasters that ever occurred on Mt. Everest took place. This tale of death and near death has been told and retold a number of times. With too many people who have paid large sums of money trying to reach the top, disastrous weather conditions, and bad judgments, loss of life was inevitable. It can be argued, that some of these deaths were needless, and that other actions would have brought other outcomes. If you are going to read only one book about this disaster, Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer is considered one of the best, and if I had to choose between Krakauer's book and Anatoli Boukreev's The Climb, I would choose Into Thin Air. Still, there are often two sides to a story, and Krakauer heavily criticized the actions of Boukreeve in his telling. The Climb gives you another perspective on what happened, showing Anatoli Boukreeve as more of a hero than someone who could have done more as Krakauer alleges. He stepped into the storm and rescued three of his own clients, bringing them down alive in a raging storm. Yet, could he have saved others? People who were not part of his expedition? This is the crux of the criticisms levied against Anatoli. This book, in many ways, feels like Anitoli trying to defend himself against Krakauers criticisms, but if you would like to hear more of the story, from another point of view, then I would recommend reading this book. When you are done, you can try to make your own judgment on what really happened.
Book Review: The Climb by Anatoli Boukreev
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the third book I have read about the May 1996 Mount Everest tragedy, and it was well worth the read. Fast-paced, compelling, hard to put down.
In "Into Thin Air," Jon Krakauer makes it very clear that he lays partial blame on Anatoli Boukreev for the tragic events. The film based on "Into Thin Air" does the same. So when I started this book, I expected a defensive self-serving account of reasons why people should not buy into Krakauer's theory.
I was pleasantly surprised, although more confused after reading the book. Readers will have to decide what is or isn't credible. But we weren't there. He was. And his book about this tragedy is certainly worth the read.
Book Review: The Climb is the best book about the 1996 tragedy on Everest
Summary: 5 Stars
The Climb was my favorite book i read this year besides the Harry Potter books. The Climb is a retelling of the tradgedies on Mt. Everest in 1996. Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt join up to write The Climb. It explains about The Mountain Madness team of 1996 led by Anatoli Boukreev, trying to summit, and interfacing with difficulties, illness, and even death. The Climb describes the day of May 10, which is the day that a bad storm hit and something happened but I cant say what because you have to read it, like no other i have read before. The Climb also tells you about the good things too! Anatoli Boukreev and G. Weston DeWalt have made a very wise decision to team up on this book, The Climb. I would recomend this book to anyone that likes to mountain climb, is interested with the history and facts about Everest, or who would just like a very good read that touches you with more than just a sad paragraph. Thank you for your time and I hope that I have been helpful!Book Review: The Question: Why?
Summary: 4 Stars
I have never climbed a mountain, and I never will, but when I have hard times I like to read about people who have a tougher time of it than I do. The Climb fits the bill. What suffering!
The question: Why? Why would anyone pay a $65K fee to join an expedition like the ones that tackled Everest in 1996? The $65K is just to join. Personal expenses like air fare, the cost of equipment, and the time commitment come on top of the fee. For all this you become part of a group of people you do not know and may not like to risk life and limb to climb and climb and climb into ever harsher and more difficult conditions and ultimately to put your life at direct risk. For what?
This is a fine book; Into Thin Air is a fine book. What is amazing and very entertaining about both of these books is to behold and consider the folly of this adventure in all its glory.
I reserve five-star reviews for the best of the best. Do not take the four-star rating as a criticism. This is a very well written story.