Everest : Mountain Without Mercy

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Summary: A "Must" for your Everest Collection
Review: If you have a collection of books about Everest or mountain adventures in general, this book is a necessary addition. Being on the mountain at the same time of the disastrous 1996 climbs of Rob Hall's and Scott Fischer's expeditions adds extra interest to the book, and gives the reader still another perspective on that episode. But more valuable, the photographs (both related to the disaster, as well as of Everest and the surrounding countryside) give the reader a much better handle on what it looks like up there. They bring home, much more vividly, some of the risks and dangers that climbers undertake when they start that climb. A great book to read, and a great one to give as a gift for those you know who enjoy adventures or adventure reading such as this.

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Summary: Have you ever climbed a mountain?
Review: If you haven't this may make you want to. Either that or you will have a hard time walking to the high places in your yard. The details of the '96 tragedy on Everest in this book are amazing. In combination with the incredible photography and multiple points of view, it makes for a compelling, engrossing story. I borrowed a copy to read and devoured it in a week. It's a tough read in bed, but a must for any desk or coffee table. I have only seen previews for the film, but they are breathtaking. I'm counting down the days until I can go see it.

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Summary: Great Info on the '96 Everest season
Review: In the National Geographic style, this coffee table size book, takes the accounts of the IMAX film team and tells the story of the '96 tradegies , the film team's contribution to the rescues and the team's climb that followed. The writing was easy to follow, although I skipped much of the Budhist parts since I wasn't too interested in the Budhist perspective. I watched the TV movie 'Into Thin Air' and felt that I was left hanging for more information. Everest: Mountain without Mercy filled in the gaps, with all the testimonies, the wonderful photos and the detailed maps.

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Summary: Read The Others, Then Read This
Review: My Everest, "Experience", began with Mr. Krakauer and his book, "Into Thin Air". I then read Mr. Boukreev's book, "The Climb". Scattered amongst these were many other books about K2, incredible rescues, etc. The first and second books mentioned are outstanding, and while only those who were there know what flaws, if any, the books contain, they are both enthralling, frightening, and in the end horribly sad. They are however written by individuals, and like all first hand accounts expose a personal viewpoint, that here is all the more complex due to the conditions under which the climbers were trying to stay alive and sort out their thoughts. There has been criticism written about both accounts, I am guilty, but from spectators like us, criticism is inappropriate. We just were not there. This book brings balance to the tragic aspects of the climb, and through photographs that can only be rendered through the I-Max System, the best sense of the scale of the attempt, and the personal components that any individual must have to make the summit of Everest a goal. The only very disturbing news this book shared was the unconscionable behavior of one team, who's country I will not mention in the hope that these climbers represent an aberration of that Country's Citizenry. While books and debates will continue on this tragedy for some time to come, this book does an outstanding job of stepping back a bit, leaving bias behind, and finally, stands as a memorial of sorts for all those who were there. Again my thanks to all those who made the book available, and my condolences to those who suffered, perished, and to their families. They were and are all remarkable men and women.

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Summary: My fiance and I had a TV interview with David Breashears.
Review: My fiance and I recently got engaged on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro and were given the chance to meet David Breashears in a TV interview last June 12, 1999 in San Diego. He is an incredible man and to have helped write this book is truelly amazing. We are buying it as we speak and look forward to it's contents. We too have a love for adventure and the unknown and will try to attempt base camp of Everest next summer. Thanks, David for helping us in our endeavors. Sincerely, Rex and Kimberly in San Diego, CA.

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Summary: THE ULTIMATE COFFEE TABLE BOOK
Review: My obsession with mountaineering began with "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer. From there I progressed to "The Climb" by Anatoli Boukeerev. Then came "Eiger, Wall of Death", "K2 Triumph and Tragedy", and I currently have "Everest Diary" on my wish list. "EVEREST: MOUNTAIN WITHOUT MERCY" however, is my proudest posession to date. The awe inspiring photographs and the unbiased viewpoints from the expedition members were refreshing. There is little finger-pointing in this book. While I was well aware of the IMAX team's efforts during the 1996 tragedy, I came to admire them most for the efforts involved in the filming of the movie! I was lucky to be able to attend a lecture given by David Brashears shortly after purchasing this book and the IMAX EVEREST video. He truly is a die-hard filmmaker. The shots in this book (and in the movie) are breathtaking and were obtained at great risk. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is facinated with the stuggles of mountaineering. It combines facts (not blame) of the 1996 expeditions together with some of the most haunting photographs I have ever seen.

Rating:
Summary: Quite Simply, The Best
Review: Reading "Into Thin Air" and "The Climb" gave me a feel for the tragedy that was Everest in 1996. But something was missing. I never felt that I understood what the mountain was truly like. It was not until I opened this spectacular book that I got a sense of the real Everest. The large format of this book, and the amazing color photos will thrill any fan of Everest. The story of the IMAX expedition, while exciting, becomes secondary to the story of the mountain itself. I loved the way other articles were interspersed among the chapters. I enjoyed reading Hillary's reflections; the stories of the Sherpa people and their culture; the geologic history of the Himalaya. If you are, like me, a Mt. Everest "groupie," opening this book is as close as you'll get to being there.

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Summary: Beautiful Photos!
Review: The book has beautiful photos and a wonderful account of the story of Everest.

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Summary: A good coffee table book
Review: The story of the IMAX team on Everest in the year of the tragedy in 1996. A large format coffee table style book with plenty of pictures and more text than a typical coffee table book. The book is beautifully bound. The cover and paper is top quality. The text covers about half on the actual expedition, and about half on the life, customs, and beliefs of the Sherpas. This book isn't just about the tragedy. It concerns itself more with the Sherpas. Some of the technical aspects of filming at high altitude was covered as well as effects of high altitude mountaineering on the human body. If you are looking for different viewpoints on the tragedy, this book doesn't really throw any more light on the subject. If you're interested in Sherpa culture, high altitude mountaineering, and a beautiful coffee table book, this is it.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book, from all angles
Review: This book has incredible pictures, and an incredible story. I was deeply taken by the humanity and bravery of the subjects of the book. I cannot wait to see the IMAX movie that they were involved in making. I also read Into Thin Air, which was great also, but told the story from a different angle. Mountain Without Mercy is aptly named, emphasizing the deep respect the local culture has for the mountains and the gods that they believe inhabit them. This book emphasizes how humans are subject to the will of nature, and that not all areas of the world are so easily conquered. I know I will never attempt to summit Everest, but I would love to see the views from Base Camp!!!