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A review by kikiandarrowsfishshelf
Into the Silence: The Great War, Mallory, and the Conquest of Everest by Wade Davis
4.0
I was sick when I read this book, which is why it took me so long to read. You know, that sick where you can't even read. I hate that type of sick. This book, however, did make me feel better about my cough because at least I wasn't coughing up my throat lining. (And at least this offically qualifies for the first book of the year in the TBR Challenge).
The reason why I point this out is that the book is totally engrossing and despite being stuffed with facts, a very easy, almost speedy read. It is actually particulary engrossing when Davis goes into detail about the first World War (he should write a history of that) as well as the travel to Everest itself. In some ways, the account of climbing the mountain pales to these other parts.
What I found especially interesting (besides the fact that people are drawn to do things that are really quite stupid) is the amount that class and social customs played in determining who climbed the mountain. Mallory developed a dislike, for instance, towards one of his fellow climbers simply because the man was a colonial; at least Mallory was honest enough to admit it. So using the War as well as British social aspects, Davis shows the reader why Everest and why those men.
Good read. It is also quite easy to find a podcast where the author discusses this book.
The reason why I point this out is that the book is totally engrossing and despite being stuffed with facts, a very easy, almost speedy read. It is actually particulary engrossing when Davis goes into detail about the first World War (he should write a history of that) as well as the travel to Everest itself. In some ways, the account of climbing the mountain pales to these other parts.
What I found especially interesting (besides the fact that people are drawn to do things that are really quite stupid) is the amount that class and social customs played in determining who climbed the mountain. Mallory developed a dislike, for instance, towards one of his fellow climbers simply because the man was a colonial; at least Mallory was honest enough to admit it. So using the War as well as British social aspects, Davis shows the reader why Everest and why those men.
Good read. It is also quite easy to find a podcast where the author discusses this book.