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kimball_hansen's review against another edition
3.0
Stephanie gave me this book when we dated. Pretty good.
desihorcrux's review against another edition
4.0
Note to Self: You are lucky that you are broke and lazy enough to not want to climb the Everest ever. It is a blessing in disguise.
"If you weren't going to make the summit and back in that time, you had to have the self-discipline to turn around. But discipline can get blurred when the summit is in sight; it is why people die."
That quote up there tells you exactly why climbing the Everest is a challenge. It isn’t about mountaineering skills or physical attributes required (because a lot of the other Himalayan peaks require way more technical climbing skills). It is more about the mental capability to not let ego supersede your common sense. It is probably what intrigues me the most while reading these Everest books.
This is a detailed account of Bear Grylls climbing the Everest. I did not know he had climbed the Everest or the fact that he did it 2 years after suffering a spinal injury during his time in the Military. I liked how detailed this book was without getting monotonous or info-dumpy. IF you’re curious about something other than the technical details, like how folks go to the toilet for the 2 months they trek, what they eat, how do they acclimatize to the 8000m+ altitudes, then this is the book for you.
Intriguing and inspiring throughout!
"If you weren't going to make the summit and back in that time, you had to have the self-discipline to turn around. But discipline can get blurred when the summit is in sight; it is why people die."
That quote up there tells you exactly why climbing the Everest is a challenge. It isn’t about mountaineering skills or physical attributes required (because a lot of the other Himalayan peaks require way more technical climbing skills). It is more about the mental capability to not let ego supersede your common sense. It is probably what intrigues me the most while reading these Everest books.
This is a detailed account of Bear Grylls climbing the Everest. I did not know he had climbed the Everest or the fact that he did it 2 years after suffering a spinal injury during his time in the Military. I liked how detailed this book was without getting monotonous or info-dumpy. IF you’re curious about something other than the technical details, like how folks go to the toilet for the 2 months they trek, what they eat, how do they acclimatize to the 8000m+ altitudes, then this is the book for you.
Intriguing and inspiring throughout!
vikingwolf's review against another edition
4.0
At the age of 23, Bear Grylls became the youngest Briton to climb Everest.
The book begins with memories of the horrific parachute jump which almost severed his spinal cord while he was in the Army. What followed was months of rehabilitation and an end to his career. Surviving that really was a miracle and his next decision to climb Everest must have been a shock for his family! What follows is his account of how he got from there, through all the difficulties, to stand on top of the world.
This was a good book written by a guy you can relate to and like, without some of the ego that other climbers have. I enjoyed the book and still have a copy on my bookshelves.
The book begins with memories of the horrific parachute jump which almost severed his spinal cord while he was in the Army. What followed was months of rehabilitation and an end to his career. Surviving that really was a miracle and his next decision to climb Everest must have been a shock for his family! What follows is his account of how he got from there, through all the difficulties, to stand on top of the world.
This was a good book written by a guy you can relate to and like, without some of the ego that other climbers have. I enjoyed the book and still have a copy on my bookshelves.
elle_unamme's review against another edition
5.0
"'Did you find God on the mountain?' The answer is no. You don't have to climb a big mountain to find a faith... It is a wonderful thing about God; He is always there, wherever you are."
This book has just really transported me to Everest. I would wake up and would tell my brain that I wasn't in a tent, freezing in the cold, and waiting for water to boil up. This was just an engaging read for me and how well it also put my hiking experiences into words.
"There was a raw simplicity in what I was doing. My mind was entirely focused on every move I made; nothing else clogged my thoughts. It is this straight simplicity that I knew drew men and women to climb. Man is living to his utmost, straining everything towards one single purpose. It made me feel alive."
And I couldn't agree more with that paragraph in the book. Whenever I go for a climb, each step I take to reach the peak would always be two voices arguing in my head; the other regretting it and the other shushing the other voice down so we can concentrate on our steps. No other thoughts.
This book has taught me that acknowledging your limits is one of the bravest choices to make. Life is still what matters for everyone in the end. If the dream, goal or task only sucks away life, then it's ok to find a new path or try again until the time is right. We only get second chances when we're alive.
I admire everyone who attempted and attempts to go up this mountain. For me, the book helped me realized that it is not just about reaching the summit, that it's the overall experience of meeting other brave men and women, witnessing their courage, perseverance, and resilience.
I would never attempt to climb Everest, but if there's a reason why, it's because I want to meet these people.
"Be not afraid of moving slowly, only of standing still." - Chinese proverb
Just thankful to my special guy for sending me this book, and allowed me to experience what he has experienced when he read it.
christinajl_gb's review against another edition
3.0
Bit slow to start off with as it repeats facts about Everest that I already know, such as the 1996 tragedy, weather, geology etc. Once it gets onto the climbing, it is an honest and interesting account of his Everest climb. One thing I will say, he does tend to over-explain things, which is not necessary some of the time, especially if you're a climber and already know what causes an avalanche, for example! Definately not the best mountaineering book I've ever read, but it does give you a good idea of what it's like to climb at high altitude.
damopedro's review against another edition
4.0
This was much better than expected. I've never seen any of his shows and was wary of this "tv star" writing a book so was surprised to find but he comes across as a pretty level headed bloke. An enjoyable account of his Everest climb that was gripping until the end.
matroncozzy's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Really informative of shat it takes to climb Everest.
scarlet22's review against another edition
4.0
I’m never going to climb Everest but this book transported me there.
Pictures were very useful to visualise where each camp is.
Pictures were very useful to visualise where each camp is.
rachelcruickshank47's review against another edition
4.0
A brilliant book, giving an incredibly intimate view on what it's like to climb Everest.