On High: The Adventures of Legendary Mountaineer, Photographer, and Scientist Brad Washburn

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Summary: An extraordinary life portrayed in an extraordinary book...
Review: In this pictoral autobiography of Bradford Washburn, an adventurous life is experienced firsthand by the reader. The photographs of ice and rock are breathtaking as are the more personal images of life and love at it's fullest. Anyone interested in the classical era of mountaineering (when unclimbed peaks danced in the dreams of world-class climbers), nature photography of the highest caliber or an excellent work to add to their library, this book is for you. A National Geographic classic in every sense of the word.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful photographs make On High a work of art
Review: The biography of Brad Washburn makes a terrific yarn, even for us armchair adventurers. This is a well-told tale, with a transcribed "oral history" from Mr. Washburn, interspersed with the narrative supplied by Mr. Smith. The significance of Mr. Washburn's life, and what makes this book worth reading, is that his mountaineering adventures were part of the 20th century's final conquest of high places in this world. The high mountains were the last frontier, and Mr. Washburn lived it, wrote about it, mapped it, and (more importantly) photographed it. Fortunately, National Geographic chose to include a variety of Mr. Washburn's best photographs. His friendship with, and admiration for, Ansel Adams is apparent. Buy this for the read, but also buy it as a coffee table book.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful photographs make On High a work of art
Review: The biography of Brad Washburn makes a terrific yarn, even for us armchair adventurers. This is a well-told tale, with a transcribed "oral history" from Mr. Washburn, interspersed with the narrative supplied by Mr. Smith. The significance of Mr. Washburn's life, and what makes this book worth reading, is that his mountaineering adventures were part of the 20th century's final conquest of high places in this world. The high mountains were the last frontier, and Mr. Washburn lived it, wrote about it, mapped it, and (more importantly) photographed it. Fortunately, National Geographic chose to include a variety of Mr. Washburn's best photographs. His friendship with, and admiration for, Ansel Adams is apparent. Buy this for the read, but also buy it as a coffee table book.