Rating: 
Summary: From the Heroic '50s
Review: This book, initially in French, has stigmatised several generation, the description of heroism and the cult characters of the Golden Age of European Alpinism. At that time, each country had "its" 8,000+ mountain and the ultimate goal to reach its summit, to be the first one to conquer a 29,000+ feet! Maurice Herzog, in his fascinating style, has captured the romantic aspect of those heroic climbs and discovers. a MUST READ.
Rating:
Summary: GRIPPING ACCOUNT OF ADVENTURE
Review: This is perhaps the most famous and long lasting book in mountaineering. The account of how Herzog and Lachenal reached Annapurna's summit is the culmination of a long and difficult journey in which the team gets lost and found dozens of times. I found most interesting to be the differences between an expedition in the 90s (such as described in Into Thin Air) and Herzog's expedition; it is hard to understand how they could ahve made it without the modern equipment, however they did pay the price through amputated limbs. This is a mountaineering classic, perhaps the best one, despite the recent questions as to the veracity of the team dynamics described by Herzog. Herzog describes a team of selfless members that were working towards one common goal, to get one of them on the summit. Question have arisen on whether such dynamics were not exaggerated. Either way, it si a wonderful book to read, as Herzog takes us on a ride all the way to the summit and back. Highly recommended for the armchair mountaineer.
Rating:
Summary: GRIPPING ACCOUNT OF ADVENTURE
Review: This is perhaps the most famous and long lasting book in mountaineering. The account of how Herzog and Lachenal reached Annapurna's summit is the culmination of a long and difficult journey in which the team gets lost and found dozens of times. I found most interesting to be the differences between an expedition in the 90s (such as described in Into Thin Air) and Herzog's expedition; it is hard to understand how they could ahve made it without the modern equipment, however they did pay the price through amputated limbs. This is a mountaineering classic, perhaps the best one, despite the recent questions as to the veracity of the team dynamics described by Herzog. Herzog describes a team of selfless members that were working towards one common goal, to get one of them on the summit. Question have arisen on whether such dynamics were not exaggerated. Either way, it si a wonderful book to read, as Herzog takes us on a ride all the way to the summit and back. Highly recommended for the armchair mountaineer.
Rating:
Summary: The best I've read so far about Himalayan climbing.
Review: This is the only book I've ever read that I was tempted to swipe from my local library. (This was before it was reprinted.) Finally found a used copy. Several things stood out for me: this was pioneering mountaineering -- they had to FIND the damned mountain and then settle in to climbing it. The idea of not being able to find an 8,000 meter peak was unexpected to me. The descent was the most outstanding feat, battling frostbite and gangrene and flood-swollen rivers -- no roads, no airlifts, this was Nepal before the tourist onslaught. Making this different from any other mountaineering book I've read is Hertzog's sensitivity to the land and people he was traveling in, his relationship to his companions, his descriptions of favorite climbs in the French Alps. I look for photos, see movies (like IMAX Everest) and have found nothing that compares to the visual images Hertzog managed to convey in Annapurna.
Rating: 
Summary: Slow in Beginning but Page-Turner at End
Review: This was an excellent book, slow in the beginning but a page-turner at the end. I would have given five stars had the beginning not been so slow. Herzog's did an outstanding job at tackling the book using his personal notes, the official expedition logs and expedition members' personal diaries. The harrowing escape with a night spent huddled together made for quite excitement. However before this, the book was rather mundane and boring. This should not preclude anyone from reading the book because expeditions can sometimes be rather boring. This is a "must read" for anyone reading mountaineering books.
Rating:
Summary: Warts and All Simply the Best
Review: When my Mum bought a beaten early edition back from the Hospital Auxillary Store it sat on my shelf for about a year before I decided to take it up. I had read tons of mountaineering literature before that time and much since, but this book is one of the benchmarks against which all others are measured. It is simply one of the greatest adventure stories. It is also proof that truth is indeed stranger than fiction. For those who are more familiar with all of the traditional British siege tactics used in the 50's, 60s and 70s will find French tactics and the general story familiar. What is different is the extended struggle for survival at altitude that is truly amazing. Having some mountaineering experience myself in extreme cold (though not at this altitude) I was constantly amazed by their ability to cheat death, just when you figure that they are all for the worms. Spending the night inside the crevasse is one of great fingernail biters of all time chapters. I am just left shaking my head that anyone could survive after a night without boots in extreme cold, at altitude --- and then attempt crawl off the mountain the next morning --- in stocking feet. Of course they paid for it. Herzog himself supporating all over Nepal and Northern India, loosing digits and appendages for the glory of France. This account is clearly colonial, sanitised in some points, and omits some of the fine climbing by other members of the group... so be it --- screw post-modernism, Jean Paul Sartre, and doubt. It is still one of the best ripping yarns in the mountaineering genre --- that modern climbers suffused with petty personal ego problems, the quest for personal gain and money could ever write so well --- that would be a miracle. Let the plain tales of the quest for rotten glory riegn. Look for a worm eaten, faded copy. It will hold pride of place on your adventure shelf for many years to come.
Rating:
Summary: THE Mountaineering Adventure
Review: While most mountaineering adventures are more timelines than real stories. Herzog's epic tale is a real adventure. These guys were the very first and they had to both learn how to do it and then do it with rather primitive equipment. Herzog includes some great dialogue and makes us feel the terror of the decent. A top drawer adventure.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Story of Incredible Human Endurance
Review: 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!
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