Rating: 
Summary: David Breashears writes as good as he climbs!
Review: After becoming interested in mountaineering while watching the Everest IMAX film Mr. Breashears directed, I read every book on mountaineering that I can get my hands on. I really enjoy reading the books about the Everest 1996 tragedy. When I saw this book on a shelf in a book store I knew I had to read it. Mr. Breashears book takes the reader from his childhood to Everest 1997. I've found most books that go into to much of the climbers life are boring, but this one is not. I found his personal life very interesting. Mr. Breashears wasn't anybody special, yet he's climbed Mount Everest four times. It shows the reader that it really doesn't matter who you are if you put your heart to it and train, you can reach the top of the world. Through his book he made me realize that you have to be in the best of shape to climb Everest. You can't just go up there and take a little hike up the up the hill. You earn the respect of vertern climbers, such as Mr. Breashears if you go on the mountain prepared. I think reviewer, Suzanne, was right when she said that Mr. Breashears respected women climbers. Some people belive that women or girls should not be on Mount Everest. Mr. Breashears seemed to respect anyone who was trained and ready to climb a mountain such as Everest. I also agree with the climber from Canada who said that Mr. Breashears was one of the few climbers on Everest in 1996 who gave credit to Anatoli Boukreev. Though he said he thought, Anatoli, didn't do his job as a guide, he did give Anatoli the credit he deserved. He said that Anatoli went out in the storm and single handly saved several lives. Maybe Anatoli did go down way ahead of the climbers he was to guide, but if he hadn't he probably wouldn't save those lives. I belive God sent Anatoli down so he could rest and then go out and save those climbers. Anatoli was the hero on May the tenth, 1996. As I read about him as he realized his friends and fellow climbers were dying near the summit. He delt with grief and anger. He wondered how these climbers, known for there experience, could go against all the rules of climbing and head on to the summit past three in the afternoon. As he sat with the body of Rob Hall I felt Like I was sitting there with him. I felt his tears and his pain. He felt he had to have some closing with his soul about the Everest 1996 tragedy, that's why he went back to Everest in 1997. He is a climber who loved and commited his life to climbing. Mr. Breashears is a wonderful climber and a very friendly man. He is not cocky as Jon Krakuaer is. Mr. Breashears is a top notch person as well as a climber! Thank you Mr. Breashears for being a top climber, all your great films, and for being a good all around person! Your IMAX film inspired me and got me started climbing!
Rating: 
Summary: Good autobiography of a fascinating man
Review: David Breashears has had an interesting life, and we can share in it in this autobiography. From his life as an army brat moved about the U.S. and Europe (notably, Greece), to climbing and filming Mt. Everest (several times!), he culls interesting stories of himself and others. It is brutally frank at times, especially when talking about his abusive father and failed marriage. At other times, we are swept away into the mountains with him and share in his joy of climbing.One of the minor surprises of this book is that Breashears wrote it himself, and wrote it well. The narrative is smooth and well-written. There are a number of photos and schematic drawing that give us an idea of the shape, size, and routes of the mountains he's climbing. Only a very small amount of climbing knowledge is required (if you don't know what a crampon is, you'll probably not be interested in this book anyways!), so climbing neophytes like myself are never bogged down in technical terms. Especially fascinating for me are the chapters on Everest, which is the main reason I bought the book. Having seen his IMAX-format film on Everest (highly recommended; it will soon be available on DVD and VHS), I was very interested in the behind-the-scenes aspects. He also discusses his other movies, e.g., Cliffhanger (his role in this was minor) and Everest, the Death Zone (unseen by me), and it's interesting to compare the three different filming modes (documentary/standard, documentary/IMAX, and studio blockbuster). Finally, his take on the Everest disaster in 1996 is written from the point of view of someone who was on the mountain, but not in imminent danger, as opposed to the Boukreev and Krakauer accounts. Of course, it's not as detailed, but still very interesting, and a good compliment to the information that made it to the screen in his IMAX film. Therefore, I recommend this book for anyone interested in climbing or Mt. Everest. Detailed knowledge of mountain climbing is not required. The book is very well written - detailed for the climbing enthusiast without getting bogged down in technical details that would discourage the novice.
Rating: 
Summary: It's All About David
Review: I was gripped by Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air and wanted another viewpoint on the 1996 tragedy. There is a bit in here about that but it is mostly All About David -- the autobiography of an intensely self-focused individual. When he meets his future wife, his thought is, "this is the perfect partner for me" -- and that, to me, says it all. It is also poorly edited. I do not recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: WORLD CLASS CLIMBER...WORLD CLASS FILMAKER..WORLD CLASS READ
Review: This is a terrific book which draws you into David Breashears' world. You follow his development from young rock climber to world class mountaineer and filmmaker. You also see his development as a person, all while drawing you into that exclusive club of mountaineers. He makes you feel his passion for the mountains he so loves. You learn how he combined that passion with the art of cinematography, making him an award winning filmmaker. You live through the 1996 tragedy on Everest with him, and feel the compassion that he has for those who died on the mountain under such tragic circumstances. The narrative is always compelling and informative, making the book a hard one to put down. His compassion and sensitivity towards those who did not fare well on the ill-fated 1996 Everest climb is palpable, and for his assistance to those who needed it, even though it put him and his expedition in jeopardy, he is truly an unsung hero. This is, without a doubt, a man who leads by example. David Breashears writes beautifully of his experiences and his book is a must read for all climbing enthusiasts, as well as for those simply interested in the human condition. This is a book that is simply too good to pass up.
Rating:
Summary: This book offers an outstanding sight into a mile high world
Review: After reading Jon Krakauer's book 'Into Thin Air', like millions I became fasinated with the world of mountaining, and more importantly, the people which derive their passion from climbing. High Exposure looks deeply into this unique and private world. It doesn't just explore the disasters, in particular Everest - May 1996, but more importantly, allows the reader to feel the intense drive of the challenge in climbing and the excitement of the locations as told by someone who has experienced seemingly every aspect of the sport and built an incredeble career around it. Reading Breashear's words made me feel like I was on those mountains with him and his teams. You can feel his thrill of the challanges both personally and professionaly, his sense of loss from the tragegies experienced at Everest and else where, and his soul searching to find the path he needs to follow into his future. That his book ended after only 300 pages was the only disapointment. I wanted to stay on this climb for another 300 pages. BRAVO!
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Summary: Spellbinding Account Of The Tragic Events Of '96 Climb!
Review: This first-hand account of the frightening and absolutely breath-talking adventures on the slopes of Mount Everest during the ill-fated 1996 American climbing expedition is terrific reading. Brashears, a professional cinematographer, had already climbed Everest previous to this expedition, and his prize-winning documentary IMAX film about the ascent of Everest is itself both entertaining and edifying, as it holds no punches regarding the reality of life on the mountain. Neither does this book, which certainly proves that the author has a future in journalism is he chooses to pursue it. His colorful and well-written autobiography also does great service in helping those of us who prefer to have our adventure while sitting in the comfort of our reading room just what it is that draws people like him to the pursuit of mountaineering. Indeed, his gleeful enthusiasm is close to being contagious; this too is testimony to Brashears' ability to write convincingly and well. His approach is so colorful as to blur the lines between biography and fiction, and I often found myself having to remember that all this really did happen. It is that well written. His beginnings, too, seem like the stuff of popular fiction; a childhood of humility and privation, his early exploits in climbing on a virtual shoestring, his wildcat days in the oil field, all seem to fit this persona that wangles his way into situations and then has the gumption, intelligence, and character to pull it all off. He progresses with climbs both domestically and internationally, finally reaching into Nepal and Tibet. Always with him is this sense of humor on the one hand, and a willingness to take risks that most of just would turn away from. One senses he is heading for even more danger and self-discovery. Of course, the key to the book is his description of the events leading up to, including, and after the tragic catastrophe and loss of several climbers' lives in the ascent of the mountain. Busy himself with both the climb on the one hand and the IMAX filming of it on the other left him little time for instant reflection or remorse. These things probably helped him to focus on what had to be done to go on with the successful climb, the discovery of the bodies, and a safe descent to the camps far below. I found myself sorry to reach the final pages of his book, and I for one hope to find more writing from this talented filmmaker, writer, and climber in the future. I can highly recommend this book, and I think you will enjoy it, as well.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, compelling, a MUST read
Review: Mt. Everest is a passion and a curse, this is the essence of "High Exposure." While spending time developing his childhood, the author eventually gets into the best part of the book; Why climbers climb mountains? The consuming passion for climbing is elequently told by a man who has given us the IMAX images of the world's tallest mountain. His time on the mountain and in climbing recounts the good and the tears of mounteering. Mr. Breashears takes the reader on each climb as if we are taking each step and deciding on every movie shot. The time, talent and sheer guts of filming on Everest is totally facinating. If you have read "Into Thin Air," this selection is A MUST READ. I've been able to see the IMAX film "EVEREST" twice. After reading this book I wish I could go see it again, now with a deeper appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: High Exposure by David Breashear, is about his life experiences that indulged him into attempting and doing the impossible. Breashear's passion for mountain climbing and hiking is described through his adventures in Colorado, Tibet and other parts of the world.
Breasher's book is really good for people who are interested in reading inspirational books. David describes how he pushed his mind, body, and soul to its limits through his hikes and climbs around the world.
One thing about High Exposure that wasn't eye catching dealt with David's childhood and what influenced him to climb. In his book he explains what made him develop a passion for climbing but with little detail. It makes the reader wonder why didn't he use the amount of detail described in his experience across Tibet? Overall the book was very motivational. After reading the book, you'll just want to overcome any obstacle in life.
Rating:
Summary: Great Climbing book
Review: David Breashears writes a fascinating book on climbing that will appeal to those who climb, those who aspire to climb and those who live out their fantasies of climbing through others exploits. The book outlines his background and growth as a climber and describes his love for the sport from the time of his youth. He touches on many interesting aspects of various climbs he has made but they are better understood by reading the book rather than a review. The best part of the book is the story of his climb of Everest for the IMAX film and his participation in the attempted rescue of the climbers stranded there in the disaster of 1996. There are better books that describe the disaster itself (see Krakauer or Bokoreev for example). But Breashears interest isn't in describing the events of the disaster as much as it is in trying to explain the desire to climb peaks like Everest while honoring those he knew who lost their lives in the disaster. The tale is both fascinating and heart rending. This is a book that's hard to put down. While it stands well on its own, a reader who enjoys the book should take a look at the film that came out of it (Everest can be found in IMAX - it's best version - but also in a very good video version) and follow up with two different views of the disaster by two people who lived it: "Into Thin Air" and "The Climb."
Rating:
Summary: Good report on the 1996 incident
Review: This is mostly an autobiography of David Breashears. But since he was one of the rescuer in the 1996 accident, this book is also a very good first hand account of how that tragedy had came to be. Personally I like this book very much, because Breashears' writing was very inspirational. By examining his writing, one can't fail to notice that the author is a man with a genuine passion for the mountains; not to conquer them, but to be there.
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