Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This books tells the story of three separate mountain climbing rescues. While the subjet matter itself if very exciting and interesting, the style of writing served to make these stories almost boring, if that is possible. In light of the absolutely fabulous books "The Climb" and "Into Thin Air," both about the 1996 Mt. Everest tragedy, this book is a huge disappointment and completely pales in comparison. Don't waste your money on this one. The only reason I give it a "4" out of 10 is because the stories themselves are compelling . Unfortunately, the writing gets in the way. Also, there are factual inconsistencies in the book which any reader can spot, and any editor should have caught.
Rating: 
Summary: Bland
Review: Three tales comprise the text, only the first of which is especially gripping. The second, an overview of Scott Fischer's '92 ascent of K2, was a poor choice to chronicle. The third, in which the author is the victim, neglects to explain why the accident happened. Overall, the narrative simply lacked the suspense and urgency of good mountaineering literature.
Rating: 
Summary: With the greatest respect for those that must climb higher
Review: When I was in college, one of my dear friends became paralyzed after a mountain climbing accident. It was a shocking experience because I was very unfamiliar with the sport at the time. I suppose my friend's accident spurred my curiosity but I believe that my early interest in the sport was initiated by fear and wonder. I am fascinated by the mountains that attract those individuals who feel compelled to conquer them. The entire sport enthralls and repells me. I seek to understand it but abhor the senseless loss when something goes wrong and claims the lives of these magnificent men and women, leaving in their wake their loved ones and friends to forever try and rationalize their death.While those of you felt this book lacked accountability and content, I lack the experience in mountain climbing to be so critical of the stories projected by the author. I was able to experience through my imagination what it must have felt like to live through these mountaineering challenges. I feel no need to ask too many questions in respect to faults, for I know so very little about the sport. I simply held the stories in my mind, reflected on their enormity and danger, and appreciated the skills of rescuers and the drive of certain people to climb to the highest mountain and breathe the thinest of air. For that, I enjoyed this book. Quite simply, I appreciated reading the stories with my feet planted firmly on my floor.
Rating:
Summary: With the greatest respect for those that must climb higher
Review: When I was in college, one of my dear friends became paralyzed after a mountain climbing accident. It was a shocking experience because I was very unfamiliar with the sport at the time. I suppose my friend's accident spurred my curiosity but I believe that my early interest in the sport was initiated by fear and wonder. I am fascinated by the mountains that attract those individuals who feel compelled to conquer them. The entire sport enthralls and repells me. I seek to understand it but abhor the senseless loss when something goes wrong and claims the lives of these magnificent men and women, leaving in their wake their loved ones and friends to forever try and rationalize their death. While those of you felt this book lacked accountability and content, I lack the experience in mountain climbing to be so critical of the stories projected by the author. I was able to experience through my imagination what it must have felt like to live through these mountaineering challenges. I feel no need to ask too many questions in respect to faults, for I know so very little about the sport. I simply held the stories in my mind, reflected on their enormity and danger, and appreciated the skills of rescuers and the drive of certain people to climb to the highest mountain and breathe the thinest of air. For that, I enjoyed this book. Quite simply, I appreciated reading the stories with my feet planted firmly on my floor.
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