Review:
For three quarters of a century, adventure enthusiasts around the globe have speculated about the fate of British mountaineers George Mallory and Andrew Irvine. Did they reach the peak of Mount Everest before disappearing on June 6, 1924? How did they die? What was their fatal mistake? In 1999, the Mallory & Irvine Research Expedition set out to answer these questions by retracing the steps of the doomed climbers, and in The Ghosts of Everest, they share their findings. William Nothdurft has gracefully woven the testimonies of expedition members Jochen Hemmleb, Eric Simonson, and Larry Johnson, all the while counterpointing the modern ascent with a captivating reconstruction of what befell the earlier one. There are also stunning photographs, which manage to be inspiring and beautiful and gruesome--occasionally all at once. And while it's impossible to establish exactly what happened to Mallory and Irvine, this account is persuasive enough to fascinate rock climbers and couch potatoes alike. --Melissa Asher
From AudioFile:
When a 1999 research expedition found the remains of Everest explorer Leigh Mallory, hopes soared that the discovery might settle, once and for all, the question as to whether the British explorer reached the summit of the world's highest peak in 1924. This account offers both the history of the 1999 trek and that of the 1924 attempt. Arthur Addison brings a hushed respect to his telling of the story, perhaps too hushed. In passages of dialogue his voice drops to a near whisper, no matter what the subject of the conversation. And his awe of any serious Everest climber somewhat overshadows the excitement of the tale. Still, pacing, diction and pronunciation are accurate, and the story is gripping enough to survive any performance. R.P.L. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
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