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Rating: 
Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: As a big fan of mountaineering literature, I have read many, many climbing books. This one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Full of copious amounts of factual detail, yet still able to keep a fascinating story moving along. I still keep going back to it months later, just to check facts or to re-read different parts. GREAT BOOK
Rating: 
Summary: Great book
Review: At first, I was a bit sceptic about this book. I thought it would be another detailed-and-boring book about conquest of highest mountain, a bit of sensationalism, otherwise dry. But, after just few pages, I changed my thought completely. It was not dry, at all, it has many, really interesting information, which are not here just to build interest and boist author's knowlege. Author often express his thinking about some people in rather straight way, which I find more useful than writing just about their "purest virtues" - all people have flaws, and these are often very expressed in such extreme situations. It gives more information on first three British expeditions than one specialized book on this subject, I've read before, as well as on first succesful expedition in 1953. These expeditions are covered very well. Expeditions 1980 to present are a bit less covered, which is understandable as they took place after first edition of book was published. I also noticed certain degree of reservation vs non-Western climbers; it seems as author wishes not to offend anyone, but deeply in soul he has some doubts about their honesty. That's why I can't give 5th star to this one. Otherwise, I recommend it to everyone interested in mountain climbing history.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent read worthwhile buy!
Review: I love mountaineering and this book was informative detailed and extemely enjoyable to read. Anyone interested about Everest should read it. I particularly liked the part about Goerge Mallory and Irvine.
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Summary: Most fascinating book about Human acheivement
Review: I read this book a few months ago. Wanted to keep it my possession since it was borrowed from the British library in Pune. Kept going through it again and again. Constantly being thankful to the heroes who have brought out the best qualities in the humanbeings. Brings out in perfect, simple language the might of the nature, the passion and the endurance shown by the mountaineers. Any other day to day mundane activity appears to be so insignificant and futile when we read about difficulties faced by the climbers. I wanted to steal the book to keep in my constant possession. But thought, I should try out the socially acceptable way of possessing something and hence visited this site only to my disappointment!
Rating: 
Summary: not exactly accurate...
Review: It was pretty appalling to read that in '78 Everest was climbed by:
'Polish houswife called Wanda Rutkiewitz'
She was neither a housewife nor her name was Rutkiewitz. In fact her name was Rutkiewicz, she held electronics engineering degree and was one of the most accomplished female climbers in the world (first female ascent of K2 among others).Hope the rest of the book is more accurate.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: This is the best book I have read on the history of Everest expeditions. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: Walt Unsworth has provided an excellent historical text. The descriptions are vivid with sufficient attention to details that paint clear pictures of the events surrounding Everest. The background information about the bureaucratic bunglings of the British is intriguing and Unsworth masterfully builds to the climax of the first triumphant ascent. I have read several books on Everest and this document helps to put so many of the pieces together and give the reader correct perspective.
Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: Walt Unsworth has provided an excellent historical text. The descriptions are vivid with sufficient attention to details that paint clear pictures of the events surrounding Everest. The background information about the bureaucratic bunglings of the British is intriguing and Unsworth masterfully builds to the climax of the first triumphant ascent. I have read several books on Everest and this document helps to put so many of the pieces together and give the reader correct perspective.
Rating: 
Summary: Exhausting Everest
Review: Walt Unsworth's history of Everest is certainly comprehensive. One might say exhaustive. Every attempt on the world's highest mountain from the pre-war British expeditions (which are covered in great detail) to the commercial climbs of the 1990s (which are not) are recorded and put in context. When it comes to climbing history, I doubt that this weighty tome can be bettered. My only gripes are that the ordering of the history (not strictly chronological) is a little difficult to follow - unless one reads the whole 700+ pages in order, and, although admittedly meant as a mountaineering history, there could have been more geographical detail on the features of the mountain (though the maps of ascent routes are very good), and there could have been more analysis of individual acheivements and the thorny issues that have surrounded climbing. Conclusion: brilliant encyclopedia; a little short on criticism.
Rating:
Summary: Everything you always wanted to know about climbing Everest.
Review: Well-written, comprehensive, shrewd in it appraisals, concise in its descriptions of the manifold climbs, and not afraid to treat the politics, squabbles and jealousies that surrounded so many of the events described. The last few chapters do become monotonous, offering too much of a good things, but the book is superb on the important climbs and climbers: Mallory, Irvine, Hillary, Shipton, Messner, and even outsiders like Maurice Wilson are brought vividly to life. This book will stand as the standard treatment of the pursuit of the Everest Summit. The snowboarders, paragliders and skiers as well as the commercial expeditions have vulgarized it all, but this book brings us back to a time when the sacred and mysterious mountain stood in aloof resistance to a heroic band of special men.
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