Nepal

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster

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The Illustrated version is the way to go.
Boukreev's fans are ludicrous!
Getting up is easy, the hard part is getting down
Into Thin Air
Krakauer has a gift

Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster
Jon Krakauer
Manufacturer: Anchor
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0385494785
Release Date: 1999-10-19

Amazon.com

Into Thin Air is a riveting first-hand account of a catastrophic expedition up Mount Everest. In March 1996, Outside magazine sent veteran journalist and seasoned climber Jon Krakauer on an expedition led by celebrated Everest guide Rob Hall. Despite the expertise of Hall and the other leaders, by the end of summit day eight people were dead. Krakauer's book is at once the story of the ill-fated adventure and an analysis of the factors leading up to its tragic end. Written within months of the events it chronicles, Into Thin Air clearly evokes the majestic Everest landscape. As the journey up the mountain progresses, Krakauer puts it in context by recalling the triumphs and perils of other Everest trips throughout history. The author's own anguish over what happened on the mountain is palpable as he leads readers to ponder timeless questions.

Book Description

A bank of clouds was assembling on the not-so-distant horizon, but journalist-mountaineer Jon Krakauer, standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, saw nothing that "suggested that a murderous storm was bearing down." He was wrong. The storm, which claimed five lives and left countless more--including Krakauer's--in guilt-ridden disarray, would also provide the impetus for Into Thin Air, Krakauer's epic account of the May 1996 disaster.

By writing Into Thin Air, Krakauer may have hoped to exorcise some of his own demons and lay to rest some of the painful questions that still surround the event. He takes great pains to provide a balanced picture of the people and events he witnessed and gives due credit to the tireless and dedicated Sherpas. He also avoids blasting easy targets such as Sandy Pittman, the wealthy socialite who brought an espresso maker along on the expedition. Krakauer's highly personal inquiry into the catastrophe provides a great deal of insight into what went wrong. But for Krakauer himself, further interviews and investigations only lead him to the conclusion that his perceived failures were directly responsible for a fellow climber's death. Clearly, Krakauer remains haunted by the disaster, and although he relates a number of incidents in which he acted selflessly and even heroically, he seems unable to view those instances objectively. In the end, despite his evenhanded and even generous assessment of others' actions, he reserves a full measure of vitriol for himself.

This updated trade paperback edition of Into Thin Air includes an extensive new postscript that sheds fascinating light on the acrimonious debate that flared between Krakauer and Everest guide Anatoli Boukreev in the wake of the tragedy. "I have no doubt that Boukreev's intentions were good on summit day," writes Krakauer in the postscript, dated August 1999. "What disturbs me, though, was Boukreev's refusal to acknowledge the possibility that he made even a single poor decision. Never did he indicate that perhaps it wasn't the best choice to climb without gas or go down ahead of his clients." As usual, Krakauer supports his points with dogged research and a good dose of humility. But rather than continue the heated discourse that has raged since Into Thin Air's denouncement of guide Boukreev, Krakauer's tone is conciliatory; he points most of his criticism at G. Weston De Walt, who coauthored The Climb, Boukreev's version of events. And in a touching conclusion, Krakauer recounts his last conversation with the late Boukreev, in which the two weathered climbers agreed to disagree about certain points. Krakauer had great hopes to patch things up with Boukreev, but the Russian later died in an avalanche on another Himalayan peak, Annapurna I.

In 1999, Krakauer received an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters--a prestigious prize intended "to honor writers of exceptional accomplishment." According to the Academy's citation, "Krakauer combines the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of investigative journalism with the stylish subtlety and profound insight of the born writer. His account of an ascent of Mount Everest has led to a general reevaluation of climbing and of the commercialization of what was once a romantic, solitary sport; while his account of the life and death of Christopher McCandless, who died of starvation after challenging the Alaskan wilderness, delves even more deeply and disturbingly into the fascination of nature and the devastating effects of its lure on a young and curious mind."

Download Description

When Jon Krakauer reached the summit of Mount Everest in the early afternoon of May 10, 1996, he hadn't slept in fifty-seven hours and was reeling from the brain-altering effects of oxygen depletion. As he turned to begin the perilous descent from 29,028 feet (roughly the cruising altitude of an Airbus jetliner), twenty other climbers were still pushing doggedly to the top, unaware that the sky had begun to roil with clouds.

Into Thin Air is the definitive account of the deadliest season in the history of Everest by the acclaimed Outside journalist and author of the bestselling Into the Wild. Taking the reader step-by-step from Katmandu to the mountain's deadly pinnacle, Krakauer has us shaking on the edge of our seat. Beyond the terrors of this account, however, he also peers deeply into the myth of the world's tallest mountain. What is it about Everest that has compelled so many people -- including himself -- to throw caution to the wind, ignore the concerns of loved ones, and willingly subject themselves to such risk, hardship, and expense?

Written with emotional clarity and supported by unimpeachable reporting, Krakauer's eyewitness account of what happened on the roof of the world is a singular achievement.

Customer Reviews:

The Illustrated version is the way to go........2007-06-25

This is an excellent book, which continues to move and intrigue me each time I read it. I have just finished this book for the third time and I still look forward to the time when I can open it up and read it again. I have bought this book for many family members and friends. I was lucky to have come across an illustrated version of this great book, a few years back, which has over 200 photographs taken during the actual expedition. It is haunting to see some of those photos of many of the climbers heading up to the Hillary step, knowing that some would not make it. If you love this book, seek out the illustrated version for your library, you owe it to yourself.

Boukreev's fans are ludicrous! .......2007-06-19

"Into thin Air" is a brillantly written adventure saga that ends in tragedy. Krakuer, a gifted story teller, writes about his personal account of climbing Mount Everest in 1996. Krakuer tells you about what he experienced during one of the the deadliest Everest disaster's in history. In the book Krakuer is somewhat critical of Anatoli Boukreev, a guide on one of the expedition teams. My personal opinion was that Krakuer was not harsh enough and was somewhat generous towards Boukreev's actions. Boukreev was hired as a guide. His job is to insure the saftey of his clients as they climb and decend the deadly mountain. Instead, Boukreev turned the trip into a personal macho conquest by irresponsibly guiding without the use of supplemental oxygen. He was so fatigued and cold at the summit of the mountain that he was forced to descend very quickly leaving his clients and leader high on the mountain. That's like when your weight lifting and your struggling to get that last repetition up and your spotter leaves you. Boukreev felt the need to write a book (The Climb) explaining (trying to salvage his reputation) his actions. Krakuer's detractors point to his book as the gospel. However, like a butcher, Krakuer carves up Boukreev's book in the post script. Very enjoyable reading!

Getting up is easy, the hard part is getting down.......2007-05-31

Jon Krakauer takes you for a front seat ride up the deadly slopes of Mount Everest, during the notoriously deadly expedition of May 1996. Barely escaping the mountain with his own life, journalist Krakauer remembers the team members and friends left on the mountain. Four out of eleven members died on the fatal mountain.

Inch by weary inch, step by shivering step, Krakauer takes us on his journey up Everest and introduces us to the members of his team. This book is so well written that you can feel the oxygen depravation and the cold, and are left feeling the personal loss of lives you come to know and care about as fully fleshed out people.

He brings to life the real concerns of guided ascents up Everest, the use of oxygen by guides, the inexperience of people who pay mega-bucks to be escorted to the world's highest peak, the state of mind that thin air brings to the human mind, and the accomplishments and follies of those who attempt such an extra-ordinary feat.

The book includes a map, eight pages of glossy black and white photos, some dark pictures leading into every chapter, blurbs from different publications that lead each chapter, a bibliography, and an extensive postscript answering some outstanding issues that arose in DeWalt's account of the same ascent called 'The Climb'.

This is one of the best non-fiction books I've read in a long time. The story is compelling and the telling is honest. Krakauer speaks of his survival guilt with open poignancy and candor. He passes over his own hardships and applauds the heroism of those who helped to save many of the stranded members of the climbing parties. He reports on bottlenecks high up on the mountain, particularly on the Hillary Step, that cause costly delays and could mean the difference between life and death at such altitudes. If you're looking for an exciting, heart pounding non-fiction read then look no further. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!

Into Thin Air.......2007-05-17

In 1996, climbing Mount Everest was not seen as the difficult and dangerous feat it had been 20 years prior. Climbing the highest mountain in the world seemed accessible to the average human. It was more viewed as maybe a vacation trip or fun experience. The newly founded idea of climbing this mountain became a point of interest to Outside magazine who wanted to hire someone to climb the mountain and record the adventure for the magazine. Jon Krakauer, an outdoor enthusiast living on the West Coast, took the job assuming he'd do a bit of climbing, write a fantastic piece, and work his way up to the top of the publishing company. By the end of Jon's adventure, he wished his early assumptions had been right. Jon Krakauer ended up barely living through the treacherous hike and experiencing the losses of close friends made along the trip. After Jon completed his article about the life-changing exploration, he felt as though his emotions needed to be unleashed in a more extensive piece. Jon Krakauer continued on to write a novel, Into Thin Air, which fully describes his endeavor and the heroic and terrifying experience of encountering an unforeseen "freak" storm while nearly 27,000 feet high near the summit of Mt. Everest.
The book Into Thin Air is more of a "man's" book. If you're looking for a book that clearly describes how a human freezes to death, this is the book for you. I, personally, did not find this book to be incredibly appealing as I got further into it. Into Thin Air actually toyed with my emotions pretty thoroughly, describing moments of near death and death, hope and despair, all while I felt like I was struggling for oxygen near the top of the world. A good piece of literature has either got to make you laugh out loud, gasp, get teary-eyed, or full-out sob to be considered memorable. This book fully covered the teary-eyed and gasping category, it also added in some personal flare of actually having to shut the book from being disturbed. Into Thin Air is not recommended for a bed-time story.
Into Thin Air will quickly grasp your emotions and throw them around. By the end of the book, you feel as though you could almost feel the cold thin air on Mount Everest. Jon Krakauer deserves a huge round of applause for this fine piece of literature. Although I did not enjoy it personally, his writing is remarkable. His fluid style and careful attention to details involves the reader who feels as though he or she too is in the situation. I wanted to stop reading, and at times had to shut the book to stop the terrifying images in my mind's eye, but I was too connected and involved with the story to stop--whether I liked it or not. Jon Krakauer writes undoubtedly with personal passion. When a man is lost, you feel the loss; when a man is found or saved, you are filled with relief. Into Thin Air is a phenomenal piece of work and, from me, receives five stars for being capable of disturbing and pulling me to a point where I could no longer put it down.

Krakauer has a gift.......2007-05-16

How does he make you determined to climb Everest one day and repelled by the idea at the same time? You know what's going to happen (I remember following news reports at the time) and yet you keep hoping for a different outcome. Everest sounds beautiful and filthy, overdone but transcendent, cliched and extraordinary. You pity Krakauer for bearing this burden, but what a coincidence that one of our greatest adventure writers happened to be there for one of the mountain's biggest disasters. I'll remember this book for a long time.

Average customer rating:

Solid book
Travelin' 06
Great travel advice, as usual for Lonely Planet
tour guide
Paperback Sherpa

Lonely Planet Nepal
Bradley Mayhew , Joe Bindloss , and Stan Armington
Manufacturer: Lonely Planet Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Lonely Planet Tibet
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Lonely Planet Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya, Eighth Edition
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ASIN: 1740596994

Amazon.com

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

This completely updated guide contains excellent trekking information (including advice for those planning to trek with children), extensive background on people and cultures, and essential pretrip guidance, including tips on being an ecologically sound traveler. Sidebar highlights: short overviews of a festival calendar, the Dhyani Buddhas, one traveler's account of a Nepalese bus ride, antiques, and the gods of Nepal. --Kathryn True

Book Description

Shangri-la exists. Trek to the top of the world, or share a smile with a Buddhist monk; raft down a mountain gorge, or glimpse a living Hindu goddess - in Nepal adventure and culture go hand in hand. With this definitive guide, you'll tread lightly through the best of the Himalaya.

Customer Reviews:

Solid book.......2007-05-14

Good overall coverage of the region. Listed all major activities from rafting, hiking, driving, or whatever. I would recommend it for people traveling there. I wish it would have gone into detail about the tour operators.

Travelin' 06.......2007-03-08

Lonely Planet has never let me down. It seems no matter where in the world I travel, LP has walked, slept, and eaten there! I am still looking for a place to travel where they have not been. Any suggestions?

Great travel advice, as usual for Lonely Planet.......2006-10-31

I bought this book to prepare for my trip to Nepal. I found the advice in the book regarding cultural mores and appropriate behavior to be invaluable. The descriptions of places, restaurants, and hotels was accurate. I would have liked to see longer lists of accommodations. One thing I learned in Nepal is there are many, many more hotels than this book describes.

Here's why I gave it a 4: if you are over 40, go out and buy reading glasses before purchasing this book. The font size is very small and difficult to read for those of us with older eyes, especially in the dim light of an airplane or a Nepal Hotel Room.

tour guide.......2005-08-27

we were in nepal in recently and found this guide to be very useful and informative; will recommend it to anybody who is travelling to a new country.

Paperback Sherpa.......2005-05-13

The first time I traveled to Nepal I was on a limited budget, was alone, had no idea where I was going to stay and there was a riot going on in Kathmandu.
This unassuming book got me through.
Fantastic!

Average customer rating:

Climbed But Not Conquered
Great story, flawed method.
An Amazing Story of Incredible Human Endurance
Mountaineering Classic
Good Adventure Reading

Annapurna
Maurice Herzog
Manufacturer: The Lyons Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1558215492

Amazon.com

Before Everest, there was Annapurna. Maurice Herzog led an expedition of French climbers to the summit of this 26,000-foot Himalayan peak in 1950. At the time of the assault, it was the highest mountain ever climbed, a remarkable feat in itself made all the more remarkable by the fact that it had never previously been charted. Herzog and his team not only had to climb the darn thing, they had to find the route. As riveting as the tale of the ascent remains nearly half a century later, the story of the descent through virtually unsurvivable--think avalanche and frostbite, for starters--conditions is unforgettable. Herzog's masterful account, finally back in print, is a monument of courage and spirit, an epic adventure excitingly told.

Book Description

In 1950, no mountain higher than 8,000 meters had ever been climbed. Maurice Herzog and other members of the French Alpine Club had resolved to try. Their goal was a 26,493-foot Himalayan peak called Annapurna. But unlike other climbs, which draw on the experience of prior reconnaissance, the routes up Annapurna had never been analyzed before. Herzog and his team had to locate the mountain using sketchy, crude maps, pick out a single, untried route, and go for the summit. Annapurna is the unforgettable account of this dramatic and heroic climb, and of its harrowing aftermath. Although Herzog and his comrade Louis Lachenal reached the mountain's summit, their descent was a nightmare of frostbite, snow blindness, and near death. With grit and courage manifest on every page, Herzog's narrative is one of the great mountain-adventure stories of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Climbed But Not Conquered.......2006-12-06

Herzog provides a detailed perspective of the famed Annapurna climb that has inspired numerous high altitude and arm chair climbers.

Suffering frostbite and unimaginable suffering, Herzog has made a statement, worth reading in his epic account. No other sport has it's center pieces so open in sharing their innermost feelings.

The b/w photos were relatively scare and of only fair quality.

Great story, flawed method........2006-01-26

Reading the other reviews of this book, I'm reminded of a quote from one of my favorite, although little known Sean Connery movies, where he plays an Arab pirate. At one point Connery says to his second in command: "It is good." "What is good?", replies the other man. "It is good to know where we are going," answers Connery. Alas, Herzog and his men didn't know where they were going, and spent a month wandering around looking. It would have been good to send out an initial recon group to find the mountain before they started out. Or, to paraphrase an english adventurer, "to lose a pack animal is unfortunate; to lose an entire mountain seems downright careless."

An Amazing Story of Incredible Human Endurance.......2005-12-07

Wow! This is one of those real life adventure stories that has you wondering how much more the people can endure before they collapse and die. These guys climbed one of the world's most difficult mountains with old climbing technology. What they lacked in modern equipment, they made up for with strength and fitness. The more I read about mountaineering, the more I agree that it is 75% mental and 25% physical. Being in the best physical condition possible definitely gives you a better opportunity for success on high ground. If you liked this book, I encourage you to read my book "Rocky Mountain Adventure Collection". Best wishes on your adventures in life!

Mountaineering Classic.......2005-04-08

A marvellous book. Remarkably written, griping, and inspiring. A must for all mountaineers.

Good Adventure Reading.......2005-01-31

First and foremost, the topic of the book is of historical significance in the world of climbing, so it's a "must read" if you are into that sort of thing. If you aren't, it's still a great adventure read. Well worth the time. I'm glad I read it and would recommend it to people who enjoy outdoor adventures.

The text itself is written well, flows nicely, and is generally an easy read. I also found it to have a good balance between the characters emotions, the activity of the climb, and local color and flavor.

Something I found interesting was the attitude of Herzog. Granted, this was written in the 50's, but it was intersting to see his attitudes towards the local people. He certainly had a "I'm better than you" attitude towards the local Porters and Sherpas. He also displayed a lot of attitude towards other members of his expedition. At one moment he would be very condescending and critical, then a few pages later he would be singing their praises.

I wish the book had a bigger glossary than it does. I frequently found myself going to the glossary to look up the meaning of a word that was used, and didn't find it. Here, I'm talking about "climbing lingo" and words and phrases that Herzog uses that are relative to the language of the locals in Tibet and India.

I also didn't care for the placement of the photographs. They often didn't follow the text. A picture could preceed or follow the pertinent text by 100 pages, which made for a lot of "page flipping". It would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the photographs before reading the text, so that you know when to go back and find a specific photo.

Outside of this book, I've learned that there is a lot of controversy over what "really" happened and Herzog's attitude and motivations. If you read this book, keep in mind that this isn't necessarily what actually happened, but more of an account of what Herzog wanted you to know. Take most of it with a grain of salt, and do some additional research to get the full picture.

Also, understand that this climb was a "first" at that height, and was using technologies and understanding of altitude at that time. A reader with current climbing knowledge will often read a passage and think to himself "No Kidding, Dummy!", but we know that hindsight is 20/20. Their accomplishment is all the more exciting knowing that things we know and understand today, were unknown to them... and don't forget, they didn't have the high tech equipment that todays climbers have.

Average customer rating:

Far Superior to Into Thin Air!!
Awesome book
A great read.....very compelling.
The other side of a well-known story
"The Climb" vs "Into Thin Air"

The Climb: Tragic Ambitions on Everest
Anatoli Boukreev , and G. Weston DeWalt
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Paperbacks
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Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0312965338

Amazon.com

The Climb is Russian mountaineer Anatoli Boukreev's account of the harrowing May 1996 Mount Everest attempt, a tragedy that resulted in the deaths of eight people. The book is also Boukreev's rebuttal to accusations from fellow climber and author Jon Krakauer, who, in his bestselling memoir, Into Thin Air, suggests that Boukreev forfeited the safety of his clients to achieve his own climbing goals. Investigative writer and Climb coauthor G. Weston DeWalt uses taped statements from the surviving climbers and translated interviews from Boukreev to piece together the events and prove to the reader that Boukreev's role was heroic, not opportunistic. Boukreev refers to the actions of expedition leader Scott Fischer throughout the ascent, implying that factors other than the fierce snowstorm may have caused this disaster. This new account sparks debate among both mountaineers and those who have followed the story through the media and Krakauer's book. Readers can decide for themselves whether Boukreev presents a laudable defense or merely assuages his own bruised ego.

Book Description

As the climbers of the 1996 Mt. Everest disaster vanished into thin air, one man had the courage to bring them down alive....On May 10, 1996, two commercial expeditions headed by expert leaders attempted to scale the world's largest peak. But things went terribly wrong. Crowded conditions, bad judgement, and a bitter storm stopped many climbers in their tracks. Others were left for dead, or stranded on the frigid mountain. Anatoli Boukreev, head climbing guide for the Mountain Madness expedition, stepped into the heart of the storm and brought three of his clients down alive. Here is his amazing story-of an expedition fated for disaster, of the blind ambition that drives people to attempt such dangerous ventures, and of a modern-day hero, who risked his own life to save others...

Customer Reviews:

Far Superior to Into Thin Air!!.......2007-06-11

I've read most of the 96' Everest books and this phenomenal read surpasses Krakauer's slick narrative with simple language but raw and honest passion and consideration. If you have already read Into thin Air I strongly recommend reading this as well. It not only places the hyped 96' tragedy in better perspective, it also gives incredible insight into the Russian mindset.

Awesome book.......2007-05-10

I read this book after reading "Into Thin Air" (another excellent book). This is a highly recommended followup to "Into Thin Air". If you are interested in the business/logistics of an Everest expedition, as well as hearing about an amazing individual (Anatoli Boukreev), this book is highly recommended!

A great read.....very compelling........2007-02-12

What could have been written as an angry rebuttal to the slanted writings of Jon Krakauer's accountings of the 1996 Everest disaster, is actually a moving recounting of a tragedy that has no one single point of blame. Anatoli Boukreev details the series of fateful decisions made by the several parties involved, and drives home the ultimate message: Climbing Everest, and any peak above 8000 meters is, under the very best conditions, a life-threatening gamble with fate. This book is a must read for we armchair Everest buffs, and anyone who has read "Into Thin Air". Anatoli Boukreev was a legend and hero, and we are fortunate to have his words recorded before his tragic death .

The other side of a well-known story.......2007-01-01

Every story has two sides. In this book, readers of Jon Krakauer's best selling Into Thin Air can hear the other side of that particular tale. It's my opinion that no one ought to read one without also reading the other.

On May 10, 1996, a winter storm decided to attack the world's highest mountain in spring. Caught in the well-named Death Zone, so high above sea level that the bodies of climbers who linger there literally start to die, the members of two commercial expeditions fought desperately for survival. The leaders of both teams - New Zealander Rob Hall, and American Scott Fischer - died despite being world-class mountaineers and Everest veterans. So did three members of Hall's team, while a fourth barely got off the mountain alive. All of the Fischer guides and clients survived, though, and none suffered the kind of horrific frostbite that left Hall client Beck Weathers both maimed and disfigured. Why did things turn out so differently for the two teams, after both lost their leaders? Krakauer's book offers one answer. This book, co-authored by Scott Fischer's head guide, offers quite another.

Neither Anatoli Boukreev nor his co-author possesses Krakauer's well-honed journalistic skills. This is a much plainer work, in many ways; and it's definitely less readable. I found it just as compelling, though, and it's rich in source material. Thank goodness Boukreev completed it before his death, because his side of the story is well worth hearing.

"The Climb" vs "Into Thin Air".......2006-10-21

Following Jon Krakauer's gripping first-hand account in "Into Thin Air", and especially on account of his pointed accusatory remarks surrounding Anatoli Boukreev's role in the rescue event, it is only natural to wish to read Anatoli's book to suss out what actually happened in the 1996 Mt. Everest tragedy.

Anatoli's book did not disappoint. It is true that readers may not experience the same sense of urgency and readability in Anatoli's book as Jon was indeed a very good story-teller (although I find his over-generous use of quotable quotes/excerpts irksome). The Russian mountaineer's book, even with all the flaws of it being penned by a third party who never climbed the slopes of Everest, not least in a prose that lacked the same page-turning qualities as Jon's book, was more than made up for by the refreshing rawness of a mountaineer/non-professional author. Reading about the event from Anatoli's perspective made you feel that you were amongst the party of the Mountain Madness team, unlike Jon's version where readers remained outsiders or mere voyeurs. Reading about Anatoli's recollection made Jon's words appeared fraught with sensationism and naiveté. While Jon oftentimes justified his actions or views in what later proved to be clouded or colored (either by his lack of high altitude experience or his complex against paid clients of higher social/financial standing or a mixture of both), Anatoli cut to the chase and enriched readers in many facets: inevitability of why high-altitude mountaineers are driven into leading commercial expedition to finance their life-long passion of summiting higher and more dangerous peaks; what constituted successful acclimatization and the use/safety of supplemental oxygen; his heroic act of selflessness when he saved three lives in his team under what was no less than near-hell circumstances.

Anatoli's book is also a formidable rebuttal to Jon's comments in "Into Thin Air" which might have been biased and unfeeling at best and slanderous at worst. To any dedicated high-altitude climber, reputation is of paramount importance - and having read Jon's highly addictive best-seller, it is only natural that Anatoli had to put his story in print to debunk some of the myths/errors presented in Jon's account. At the end of Anatoli's book, our views of what had happened on May 10th, 1996 would be less one-sided and our unfavorable views on Anatoli would take an abrupt about-turn. This is an important process for readers seeking a more well-rounded view of what really happened on that fateful day. After all, one undisputed fact remains: no paid clients on the 1996 Mountain Madness' team perished, and mostly, if not entirely, to Anatoli's credit.

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Mapping Tantra
Unacknowledged contributors
The choice of topics misses the heart of tantra
Good overview...
Forgets to focus on the central idea of tantra

Tantra in Practice

Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0691057788

Book Description

As David White explains in the Introduction to Tantra in Practice, Tantra is an Asian body of beliefs and practices that seeks to channel the divine energy that grounds the universe, in creative and liberating ways. The subsequent chapters reflect the wide geographical and temporal scope of Tantra by examining thirty-six texts from China, India, Japan, Nepal, and Tibet, ranging from the seventh century to the present day, and representing the full range of Tantric experience--Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, and even Islamic. Each text has been chosen and translated, often for the first time, by an international expert in the field who also provides detailed background material. Students of Asian religions and general readers alike will find the book rich and informative.

The book includes plays, transcribed interviews, poetry, parodies, inscriptions, instructional texts, scriptures, philosophical conjectures, dreams, and astronomical speculations, each text illustrating one of the diverse traditions and practices of Tantra. Thus, the nineteenth-century Indian Buddhist Garland of Gems, a series of songs, warns against the illusion of appearance by referring to bees, yogurt, and the fire of Malaya Mountain; while fourteenth-century Chinese Buddhist manuscripts detail how to prosper through the Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper by burning incense, making offerings to scriptures, and chanting incantations. In a transcribed conversation, a modern Hindu priest in Bengal candidly explains how he serves the black Goddess Kali and feeds temple skulls lentils, wine, or rice; a seventeenth-century Nepalese Hindu praise-poem hammered into the golden doors to the temple of the Goddess Taleju lists a king's faults and begs her forgiveness and grace. An introduction accompanies each text, identifying its period and genre, discussing the history and influence of the work, and identifying points of particular interest or difficulty.

The first book to bring together texts from the entire range of Tantric phenomena, Tantra in Practice continues the Princeton Readings in Religions series. The breadth of work included, geographic areas spanned, and expert scholarship highlighting each piece serve to expand our understanding of what it means to practice Tantra.

Customer Reviews:

Mapping Tantra .......2006-12-04

D.G. White, author of the excellent yogic study and adventure story, "The Alchemical Body," here presents an edited compilation of articles about authentic Tantra traditions taken from the length & breadth of Indian-influenced Asia. Countries & cultures include: India (obviously), China, Tibet/Nepal and Japan, with articles on Hindu, Buddhist, Jain (Jain? yes, Jain), Islamic (!) and Shinto tantric traditions. Before this volume, who would have guessed at the sheer geographical pervasiveness of Tantric traditions? Topics vary from architecture to ethnography to poetry. The quality of the contributions is uniformly very good--well-written and well-organized--and most chapters include a translation, in whole or part, of an important or obscure tantra. The strongest point is that the authors are scholars, not practitioners, with the associated advantage is that, at last (and at least) the reader can avoid the fluff, hype and BS that pervades the field of so-called "Tantra." Reading this volume will go a long ways toward removing our conditioned ignorance, delusion and gullibility about "sacred sex" and "sacred orgasms," the phallacy of worshipping the linga/yoni of your current hot-sex partner as a god/dess, and the like. The jewels herein are too numerous to recount, but some of my favorites include Hudson's chapter, "Tantric Rites in Antal's Poetry," which rather lovingly introduces the poetry of Antal, a kind of Tamil Mirabai. Kudos to numerous authors for emphasizing the relationship between bhakti and tantra. The down side is that the authors are scholars, not practitioners, with the concomitant lack of experiential understanding about what actual tantric practices consisted of, and of what "cosmological homology," as a body of psychospiritual praxis rooted in various yogic practices, actually means in lived experience. (But, as White says in his Introduction, practice without theory is like a map without a legend.) That said, this volume does not suffer from the epidemic of post-modern sophistry--that is, you won't find here pretty words cleverly arranged to signify that Tantra was mere artwork or political posturing by miscreants (this disorder characterizes much of the sociological/literary-critic studies on Tantra). In short, what this volume sets out to do, it does very well. Still, to grasp actual tantric practice, you'll have to look elsewhere. But I am afraid that my guru forbade me to indicate where....

Unacknowledged contributors.......2004-06-03

The correct title of the book should read Tantra in Practice (Princeton Readings in Religions) by David Gordon White (Editor), Beavis and Butthead.

The choice of topics misses the heart of tantra.......2004-05-30

I would not recommend this book since the choice of topics enfogs the subject rather than illuminating it. This collection does indeed have some excellent contributions from leading scholars, but it is the whole package that is disappointing. I was also disappointed with White's own contributions.

Good overview..........2001-08-30

World-class scholars ANDRE PADOUX, PAUL E. MULLER-ORTEGA, DOUGLAS R. BROOKS and many others come together to write about Buddhist Tantra, Hindu Tantra, Jain Tantra, and Tantra and Islam in South Asia; //the countries covered are China, India, Japan, Nepal and Tibet.//
The topics discussed include:
--GURUS AND ADEPTS including "The Tantric Guru" by Andre Padoux, one of the best Kashmir Shaivism scholars in the world.
--KINGS AND PRIESTS
--DEVOTEES AND DEITIES
--TRADITIONS IN TRANSITIONS AND CONFLICTS
--TANTRIC PATHS including "The Ocean of the Heart: Selections from the Kularnava Tantra" by Douglas R. Brooks, one of the only brilliant scholars in the world to know Tantra "from the inside".
--RITES AND TECHNIQUES --YOGA AND MEDITATION
including "On the Seal of Shambhu: A Poem by Abhinavagupta" by Paul E. Muller-Ortega, the leading authority on Abhinavagupta, one of the 3 best scholars of Kashmir Shaivism with Alexis Sanderson and Andre Padoux.
//Any Indology student has to have read this book.

Forgets to focus on the central idea of tantra.......2001-05-02

This book has many excellent articles. Yet, it forgets to focus on the central idea of tantra which is the connections between the outer and inner cosmologies. The contributions thus get lost in the details, unable to find the grammar that would unlock the esoteric language of the medieval tantra texts.

To the Top! Climbing the World's Highest Mountain (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)

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To the Top! Climbing the World's Highest Mountain (Step-Into-Reading, Step 5)
Sydelle Kramer
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0679838856
Release Date: 1993-03-31

Book Description

Illus. in full color. Here is the gripping story of Hillary and Norgay's perilous ascent of Mount Everest as they battled snow and ice slides, whipping winds, and the grim knowledge that 19 others had died in the same attempt.

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Excellent read
REALISTIC

On Being a Missionary
Thomas Hale
Manufacturer: William Carey Library Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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On the Far Side of Liglig Mountain

ASIN: 0878082557

Book Description

Written for everyone with an interest in mission, this book will lead you to reconsider your role in the missionary enterprise. On Being a Missionary is not designed to be a theoretical textbook. It does not put forward new theses, new approaches to mission, nor does it attempt to break new ground. In a very readable way the author presents the ideas, experiences, and insights of over one hundred missionary writers.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent read.......2007-02-12

Of the four gospels, my favorite is St. Luke. Luke was a doctor and wrote as a doctor- precise, bearing on the facts, and somewhat paternally. I get the same sense from Hale's writing. Hale and his wife are physicians that have served as medical missionaries in Nepal since 1970. This book might be considered a primer on missions. For me, it was perfect. Having never served as a missionary, the book gave me an idea of what it's really like, the ups and downs, the realities of being on the mission field. In reading this book, I felt like I was sitting down with a very wise man, perhaps at a pub over a beer, and asking, "so, what's it really like to be a missionary?" and this wise man patiently taking the time to tell me. Five stars for sure, don't head for the fields without this one.

REALISTIC.......2000-06-16

This book is a wonderful book to read if you are THINKING aboutgoing to the mission field or returning again. The author is frankabout the obstacles involved in missions work and how to overcome them.

I read this book a few years ago before I left for Asia and it prepared me to be a team player. It also gave me realistic insights into what was ahead.

Now I am going back to Asia- leading a team this time- and once again this has been a great book to read about building team unity, making mistakes, and just trusting God's soveriegnty.

Customer Reviews:

Richard shares his quest with us all.......2001-02-19

Richard has access to places most people do not. Take, for example, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. His Holiness is not accessable to you and I on the level that Richard has. Richard shares private photos, such as plate 63 where His Holiness is in meditation. The photo alone portrays a depth of intensity that the experience offers. Richard also has a true sense of the tragedy of the Tibetan people and can deliver that in a light that few people can ever grasp, even after several trips to the region. Richard is the Pilgrim and we are fortunate to be able to see things in a way he does. Very few photographers can say that of their work. Perhaps it is due to his experience in film, perhaps as a result of his practice as a buddhist, maybe just because the openness of his sharing is felt in his work, regardless of the medium. Thank you my friend for sharing your life with us and a wonderful book.

Truly inspirational!.......1999-09-07

This is a fantastic book! The photographs stir a number of emotions in you. Only a true artist like Mr. Gere could convey these feelings and capture them in his shutter. The book also features excellent text and was a very nice present. I think everyone should peek at this book. A great book for religious souls and open minds.

These images broke my heart........1998-12-10

This book was exactly what I expected from such a sensitive and intelligent man. Thank you, Mr. Gere. We need our hearts broken now and then.

pictures of compassion.......1998-08-29

I cannot look at this book without crying. It is very beautiful yet pierces my heart with sadness, I believe that the plight of Tibet is the canary of our planet. This book is about an amazing and gentle people and my hope and prayer is that it will generate more compassion . The text is very direct and simple and is not next to the photos but at the back. One quote stuck in my mind, "It's all ego." You can see these photos with your heart and they will melt it, if you are open.

Pictures with soul.......1998-08-24

The pictures are not supposed to show images but meanings. That's exactly what they do. They are visual metaphors, inviting us to see what is not visible. The first one, more than any other, in its deep beauty, allows us to catch a glimpse of a spiritual state or an epiphany. If I had taken it I would feel forced to share it with everyone, as Mr. Gere kindly did.

High Frontiers: Himalayan Pastoralists in a Changing World

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Cultural Ecology and Human Agency in the Himalayas
Understanding a culture in transition

High Frontiers: Himalayan Pastoralists in a Changing World
Kenneth Michael Bauer
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Tibetan Diary: From Birth to Death and Beyond in a Himalayan Valley of Nepal
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals

ASIN: 0231123906

Book Description

Dolpo is a culturally Tibetan enclave in one of Nepal's most remote regions. The Dolpo-pa, or people of Dolpo, share language, religious and cultural practices, history, and a way of life. Agro-pastoralists who live in some of the highest villages in the world, the Dolpo-pa wrest survival from this inhospitable landscape through a creative combination of farming, animal husbandry, and trade.

High Frontiers is an ethnography and ecological history of Dolpo tracing the dramatic transformations in the region's socioeconomic patterns. Once these traders passed freely between Tibet and Nepal with their caravans of yak to exchange salt and grains; they relied on winter pastures in Tibet to maintain their herds. After 1959, China assumed full control over Tibet and the border was closed, restricting livestock migrations and sharply curtailing trade. At the same time, increasing supplies of Indian salt reduced the value of Tibetan salt, undermining Dolpo's economic niche. Dolpo's agro-pastoralists were forced to reinvent their lives by changing their migration patterns, adopting new economic partnerships, and adapting to external agents of change. The region has been transformed as a result of the creation of Nepal's largest national park, the making of Himalaya, a major motion picture filmed on location, the increasing presence of nongovernmental organizations, and a booming trade in medicinal products. High Frontiers examines these transformations at the local level and speculates on the future of pastoralism in this region and across the Himalayas.

Customer Reviews:

Cultural Ecology and Human Agency in the Himalayas.......2004-08-13

Bauer presents an excellent ethnographic and historical analysis of the changes the people of Dolpo have encountered since 1959, and he demonstrates to us that cultural survival and cultural change are not antithetical to one another. His examination of the resilience and adaptability of Dolpo-pa brings to life the practical importance of local environmental knowledge, human agency, and cultural innovation. As founder of the grass-roots organization DROKPA (meaning "nomad" in Tibetan), Bauer also directs his excellent analytic understanding of pastoralism toward working along with pastoralist populations to respond to the many political, economic, and environmental challenges they face in the 21st century. Very fine research and writing.

Understanding a culture in transition.......2004-07-14

High Frontiers makes the landscape and the people of Dolpo come alive. Kenneth Bauer's descriptions are vivid, accurate and heartfelt. His observations in the chapter A Tsampa Western about the filming of Caravan/Himalaya and its impacts on the villagers is timely and thought provoking. One does not need to have an academic background to absorb and enjoy this timely book.

The Last Forbidden Kingdom: Mustang, Land of Tibetan Buddhism

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The Last Forbidden Kingdom: Mustang, Land of Tibetan Buddhism
Clara Marullo
Manufacturer: Tuttle Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0804830614

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