Rating: 
Summary: A Gripping Adventure Story
Review: The White Death is the tragic story of five young men whose lives were snuffed out in an avalanche in Glacier National Park. Part biography, part mystery, part warning and all adventure. In an era of books focusing on the dangers of climbing in the Himalayas, McKay Jenkins reminds us that not all climbing tragedies occur in far away places with strange sounding names.
Rating:
Summary: A Gripping Adventure Story
Review: The White Death is the tragic story of five young men whose lives were snuffed out in an avalanche in Glacier National Park. Part biography, part mystery, part warning and all adventure. In an era of books focusing on the dangers of climbing in the Himalayas, McKay Jenkins reminds us that not all climbing tragedies occur in far away places with strange sounding names.
Rating: 
Summary: Avalanche? Nope. Just a Big Snow Job
Review: There are many excellent books in this genre including such titles as Into the Wild and Issac's Storm. Compared to these The White Death just isn't ready for prime time. There are a few well-written chapters, about enough to make a two-part article in Outside magazine. The remaining pages are harder to follow than a Russian novel, are jammed with long quotes from other apparently better books on avalanches and (most upsetting of all) contain many errors that made me question whether the author really knows his subject at all. For example he transplants Mount Saint Helens to Oregon and confuses pitons with carabeeners.
Rating: 
Summary: White Death
Review: This book answered many questions that have gone unanswered for many years. I knew several of the boys killed in Glacier. For years there were few facts given as to the details of those dark days in December, 1969. Jenkins did a great job in describing the events surrounding this terrible accident. His description of Jerry Kanzler and Clare Progreba leaves us with a personal understanding of their love for climbing and the mountains. These boys were not foolharding in their quest, but simply pioneers in a rugged country. This book brings closure to many that knew the boys. My hope is that the information printed is factual. I am a bit concerned after reading some of the reviews of families never contacted. Thanks to Mr. Jenkins for taking the time to research and write this book. I hope that this inspires those choosing to explore the mountains in the winter to exercise caution. Even the best can be deceived as to the safety of a seemingly stable snowpack.
Rating:
Summary: White Death
Review: This book answered many questions that have gone unanswered for many years. I knew several of the boys killed in Glacier. For years there were few facts given as to the details of those dark days in December, 1969. Jenkins did a great job in describing the events surrounding this terrible accident. His description of Jerry Kanzler and Clare Progreba leaves us with a personal understanding of their love for climbing and the mountains. These boys were not foolharding in their quest, but simply pioneers in a rugged country. This book brings closure to many that knew the boys. My hope is that the information printed is factual. I am a bit concerned after reading some of the reviews of families never contacted. Thanks to Mr. Jenkins for taking the time to research and write this book. I hope that this inspires those choosing to explore the mountains in the winter to exercise caution. Even the best can be deceived as to the safety of a seemingly stable snowpack.
Rating:
Summary: A valuable read for skiers and climbers
Review: This book does a great job of blending snow science and the history of human avalanche experience with a compelling personal story of five unfortunate young climbers. If the scientific and historical perspectives in this book had been available to these climbers, their story would likely be a different one. Anyone interested in skiing or climbing in mountainous backcountry should find this book to be informative, intriguing, and, if not for the tragedy, enjoyable. This book presents the dry text of snow science in a package that will hold your interest. Though flawed in its accuracy regarding personal history, details of mountaineering and local geography, it provides knowledge about the nature of snow and its metamorphosis that any mountain adventurer should be aware of. I am sending a copy to a friend who teaches avalanche awareness classes, as I know he'll thoroughly enjoy it...in spite of the tragedy.
Rating:
Summary: ONE MORE FOR YOUR COLLECTION!!!!
Review: This book is a must read for anyone who likes books about mountaineering, and outdoor adventure, or for that matter, anyone who has ever set foot on a snow covered mountain. It is the story of five young men who perish in a huge avalanche while trying to climb the yet unscaled north face of Mount Cleveland, in Glacier National Park. But it is much more then just this story. Jenkins skillfully weaves within his book the history of avalanches and the grim effects they can have upon those who seek to conquer the mountains. And he will convince you that beneath the beauty of a snow-covered mountain lies a living and breathing monster in waiting. In the author's own words, "Hiking or skiing in avalanche country is like walking around in a valley you know to be inhabited by grizzly bears." It is a chilling reminder of the fury Mother Nature can wreak upon us. Buy this book, but read it in the confines of your warm home far away from any snow covered mountain. --Paul S.
Rating:
Summary: Makes you think twice before skiing again
Review: Throughout history, mountains have held a certain irresistible appeal, an unknown feeling of holy ascendence. That appeal has held through the ages, and envelops people who have already done something important with their lives, those who haven't, and older people as well as young people. Being close to nature, risking everything for the beauty of the view from the top of a mountain, for the physical prize after a hard climb, for the closeness a peak brings heaven or any sentient all-powerful being; these are all rewards from a successful climb, and these are not all. But there is also so much to risk - life itself, which, being already so short, is worth more than anything imaginable. People risk themselves constantly through mountain climbs or extreme sports, believing the rewards far outweigh the losses. The White Death is a well-told story of five boys who risked it all for the climb of a lifetime. McKay Jenkins transforms the elusive and unknown world of avalanches to an intriguing story of mountain rescues. Don't read this book expecting it to focus on the lost boys; it won't. But you'll learn all about avalanche rescue techniques, types of snow and how to test them for avalanche safety, helicopter rescues, et cetera. You get my point. I would completely recommend this book to any skiier, boarder, hiker, climber, or person interested in the outdoors and rescues. I picked this book off the shelf because I liked the cover, then read the flap and borrowed it. It is definately worth the time to read "The White Death".
Rating:
Summary: Makes you think twice before skiing again
Review: Throughout history, mountains have held a certain irresistible appeal, an unknown feeling of holy ascendence. That appeal has held through the ages, and envelops people who have already done something important with their lives, those who haven't, and older people as well as young people. Being close to nature, risking everything for the beauty of the view from the top of a mountain, for the physical prize after a hard climb, for the closeness a peak brings heaven or any sentient all-powerful being; these are all rewards from a successful climb, and these are not all. But there is also so much to risk - life itself, which, being already so short, is worth more than anything imaginable. People risk themselves constantly through mountain climbs or extreme sports, believing the rewards far outweigh the losses. The White Death is a well-told story of five boys who risked it all for the climb of a lifetime. McKay Jenkins transforms the elusive and unknown world of avalanches to an intriguing story of mountain rescues. Don't read this book expecting it to focus on the lost boys; it won't. But you'll learn all about avalanche rescue techniques, types of snow and how to test them for avalanche safety, helicopter rescues, et cetera. You get my point. I would completely recommend this book to any skiier, boarder, hiker, climber, or person interested in the outdoors and rescues. I picked this book off the shelf because I liked the cover, then read the flap and borrowed it. It is definately worth the time to read "The White Death".
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: When I was talking with my mother about this book she told me what a great job McKay Jenkins did in capturing the love that these boys had for the mountains. He made the book very personal. My uncle Raymond (my Mother's brother) was one of the boys killed in the avalanche. I am still waiting for my copy of the book to arrive but I had to let everyone know that I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this book!
| 
