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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
Nice collection of essays about mountaineering. It was Krakauer's first book, but it shows his usual writing style, which I happen to like a lot. Nice, entertaining and easy reading if you are into mountaineering, or at least if you're curious about it.
At any point over the past two weeks when I had a spare moment, I could be found gripping this book with wide eyes and a racing pulse. I'm something of an armchair mountaineer, getting completely wrapped up in the danger, exhilaration, and tragedies inherent to climbing mountains. Like many forms of excitement, it's addictive. As Krakauer comments about one climber's impassioned views, "You have to remind yourself that he is talking about a sport and not a substance abuse problem."
The lure of the mountains and the feeling of triumph at standing on top of one seems worth all of the close-calls, but it seems like getting to the top of the intended mountain is never a sure thing. I was so horrified at the thought of going all the way to the Himalayas and putting up the cost of an expedition, only to have to turn around because the weather took a life-threatening turn.
I liked the variety of short stories in this collection, which covered a range of climbing - bouldering, ice climbing, canyoneering, and traditional mountaineering - as well as the tales of famous personalities or locations in the sport. And of course, there were a few stories about some of the author's own harrowing experiences on the Eiger, the Devil's Thumb, and other equally intimidatingly labelled peaks.
This was an excellent book, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in adventuring (even from just the safety of their couch).
The lure of the mountains and the feeling of triumph at standing on top of one seems worth all of the close-calls, but it seems like getting to the top of the intended mountain is never a sure thing. I was so horrified at the thought of going all the way to the Himalayas and putting up the cost of an expedition, only to have to turn around because the weather took a life-threatening turn.
I liked the variety of short stories in this collection, which covered a range of climbing - bouldering, ice climbing, canyoneering, and traditional mountaineering - as well as the tales of famous personalities or locations in the sport. And of course, there were a few stories about some of the author's own harrowing experiences on the Eiger, the Devil's Thumb, and other equally intimidatingly labelled peaks.
This was an excellent book, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in adventuring (even from just the safety of their couch).
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
This book is really a collection of articles that Krakauer published in magazines such as Outside, Smithsonian and others. The common theme is mountain climbing and survival and more subtly "why in the world do people risk life and limb to do this?"
I'm not sure I came away with a satisfactory answer to the latter, but I did find this book to be very well written, and oftentimes I was literally biting my nails in empathy for the climbers.
I have always really loved books about mountaineering - - in fact a few of you have recommended some to me that I have actually purchased and just have yet to conquer. In fact, I tend to save them for a time when I just don't feel much like reading (yeah, it's rare, but it happens). And they always jump start me.
After reading these books, I never actually feel any drive whatsoever to actually go climb any of these places . . .in fact the opposite. . .but on some level, I can't get enough of reading about it. This book was no exception. Very satisfying, and if you like Krakauer's writing style, you'll find it in top form here.
I'm not sure I came away with a satisfactory answer to the latter, but I did find this book to be very well written, and oftentimes I was literally biting my nails in empathy for the climbers.
I have always really loved books about mountaineering - - in fact a few of you have recommended some to me that I have actually purchased and just have yet to conquer. In fact, I tend to save them for a time when I just don't feel much like reading (yeah, it's rare, but it happens). And they always jump start me.
After reading these books, I never actually feel any drive whatsoever to actually go climb any of these places . . .in fact the opposite. . .but on some level, I can't get enough of reading about it. This book was no exception. Very satisfying, and if you like Krakauer's writing style, you'll find it in top form here.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
It's a nice collection of short stories. Only two of them are stories, Krakauer experienced himself. The other ones are about the history of different styles of mounteniering, like Bouldering, famous Mountaineerer or just great or crazy adventures in the mountain. Of course, some of the stories are great, you can't put the book to the side (5 Stars), others are a little bit to long and to boring. But all in all, it makes fun reading the stories
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
I’ve had this copy of Eiger Dreams sitting on my bookshelf for probably 15 years and finally got it down to read. A fantastic collection of writing on all manners of mountaineering, I remembered how much I like Krakauer’s voice. Would recommend.
Excellent adventure writing (I'd expect no less from Krakauer), well-paced and manages to share a lot of detail without slowing down or becoming tedious. One of those books that makes you kind of wish you weren't reading, but also kind of happy you're not mountain climbing either.
adventurous
inspiring
sad