Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival by Joe Simpson Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Touching the Void: The True Story of One Man's Miraculous Survival
Book Review: EXTREME ADVENTURE IN THE PERUVIAN ANDES...
Summary: 4 Stars
An amazing tale of courage, fortitude, and a desire to live, despite dire circumstances. The author, Joe Simpson and his climbing partner, Simon Yates, ascend a perilous section of the Peruvian Andes. Near the summit, tragedy strikes when Joe, up over 19,000 feet, falls and hits a slope at the base of a cliff, breaking his right leg, rupturing his right knee, and shattering his right heel. Beneath him is a seemingly endless fall to the bottom. Simon reaches him but knows that the chances for Joe to get off the mountain are virtually non-existent. Yet, they fashion a daring plan to to do just that.
For the next few hours, through a snow storm, they work in tandem, and manage a risky, yet effective way of trying to lower Joe down the mountain. About three thousand feet down, Joe who is still roped to Simon, drops off an edge, and finds himself now free hanging in space six feet away from an ice wall, unable to reach it with his axe. The edge is over hung about fifteen feet above him. The dark outline of a crevasse lies about a hundred feet directly below him.
Joe couldn't get up, and Simon couldn't get down. In fact, Joe's weight began to pull Simon off the mountain. So, Simon was finally forced to do the only thing he could do under the circumstances. He cut the rope, believing that he was consigning his friend to certain death. Therein lies the tale.
What happens next is sure to make one believe in miracles.
Book Review: (4.5 stars) Absolutely unforgettable - Not just for adventurers
Summary: 4 Stars
As many other reviewers have said, the subtitle of this book is true: the story is indeed miraculous. The book is a quick read, and the terror, desolation and troubling moral questions of the experience are palpable. I found myself squirming and uncomfortable at several points, and this is due mainly to Joe Simpson's talent as a writer.
It must be said that it is apparent that this is Simpson's first book, and this is why I deducted half a star. There is the occasional awkward sentence, and the book ends on a pretty weak poker analogy. Still, he displays a great clarity of insight throughout that easily overcomes these small problems. His craft may be in the fledgling stage here, but Simpson clearly possesses a writer's mind; he is able to clearly articulate complex ideas and emotions in a very immediate, engaging way.
I would hope people don't dismiss this as a book for climbers or outdoor adventurers. The story, as well as Simpson's writing, definitely transcends this narrow category and becomes a universal story of perseverance, moral ambiguity and courage. There is quite a bit of technical description of climbing here--which is absolutely essential to telling the story properly--but as someone who knows very little about climbing, it was not a hindrance to me at all. If you've seen even a few pictures of mountains, or caught a few minutes of climbing on the Discovery Channel, a quick read through the short glossary is all you need..you will find that things like cornices, abseiling, etc. are easy enough to visualize.
By the time you finish this book, you will be astonished. Joe Simpson's torturous ordeal, as well as Simon Yates' battle with his conscience over cutting Joe free, make for a terrifying and moving story. It's worthwhile to follow the book up with the excellent movie.
Book Review: Quick and Amazing Read
Summary: 5 Stars
I read this book and could hardly believe what I was reading. It only took me one night to read this because I was so captured by the adventure.
Great quick read about making choices and having good luck on ones side.
Book Review: Harrowing Story Of Heroism And Survival
Summary: 4 Stars
Dispite some views of other readers, I feel that this book was an amazingly detailed and heartfelt account of Joe Simpson's amazing struggle for survival and Simon Yates' unflinching support and heroism when placed in a certain death situation.
Though heavy in detail and mountaineering lingo,(which a glossary is provided in the back of the book) this book tells not only a story of climbing one of the most dangerous first accents in the Peruvian Andes but does it in a manner in which can make you feel the heartfelt passion both climbers have for their sport. This accompanied with the misery and pain that is scarily discribed, gives insight to what is common place for climbers above 20,000 ft.
This book gives and indepth look at not only the sport of mountaineering but the emotions,physical,mental, and personal pain that can be endured by the human body and will. For those who have not read this book are surely missing out on one of the greatest adventuring climbing epics of all time, and those that have, are surely not to forget.
Book Review: It's a wonder
Summary: 4 Stars
Touching the Void begins with the story of Simpson and Yates's ambition to bag a Peruvian peak and, honestly, they come off a little cavalier about the whole adventure. The climb starts out well enough, and the pair gains a lot of confidence as they ascend. About halfway through the expedition, though, a terrible misstep by Simpson renders his leg useless and Simpson and Yates have to figure out how to cope with the descent. Eventually, Yates perceives Simpson to be lost and proceeds to base camp alone. With sheer will and survival instinct, Simpson also makes it out alive (obviously - we are reading his book) and his story is amazing. Knowing the basic plot outline does not take away from the book - it is not about what happened per se, but how where one man would have died, another survives. It is about what goes on in the mind of a man who is left in a dire situation, and in the mind of his partner, who did all he could to save him. Simpson's narrative is simply incredible, and while reading it, I felt like I was right there with him. A lot is added from Yate's short contribution, too. This book is an excellent addition to a "mountaineering library" or for anyone interested in the human condition at extremes.