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Rating: 
Summary: Gripping primary source account
Review: (I read the 2003 hardcover reprint with contemporary preface by Sir Hillary, ISBN 8174362665)Written shortly after the historic 1953 climb, the adventure is detailed with modest nonchalance in a prose style of intense clarity and directness. I physically shuddered during portions of the narrative, and wept not a few times also. Needless to say, I could not put it down. No ghost writers here; Hillary is a masterful pen and his personality is revealed not only by the monumental journeys he describes but in the way he describes them. There are two crude maps of the Himalaya region in this book--they alone will not be adequate if you wish to follow the story step-by-step, but they do provide a general overview, and they do show the routes being discussed. There are several pages of photos also, although they were not printed on glossy media in my hardcover edition. As both a crucial primary historical record and an entertaining read, this book is essential.
Rating:
Summary: A real page turner
Review: Although Ed Hillary is basically laying out the facts of his Himalayan expeditions leading up to and including his historic summit with Tenzig Norgay, he does it in such an engaging way that you won't be able to put this book down. The story of their ascent is fascinating, especially in contrast with modern ascents as described in Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air. If you enjoyed Into Thin Air, you'll love High Adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible in all respects.
Review: Hillary is a self-serving bigot, unworthy of his fame. I was always weary of Hillary, reading this book sealed it. He constantly bad-mouths the porters who took him to the various summits of Nepal (other than Everest); he is always quick to point out he was 'first to wake'; 'first to lead'; etc. The book was published in 1955, two after the ascent. During that time, Tenzing was receiving more fame than Hillary. Jealously took root to write this terribly constructed book.
Recommended, however, to see just how self-righteous Hillary is.
P.S. Hillary didn't summit Everest first - Tenzing did (or perhaps George Mallory). Also, the cover of the book is not of Hillary and Tenzing on the summit, as some believe. It's at Camp XI.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting mountaineering tale
Review: It seems to me that Hillary's account of his Everest summit is honestly written. I found his writing style engaging, not because it was good, per say, but because it seemed to be a normal guy saying what he felt needed to be said. His style and opinions were very 1950's, and I don't think he meant any harm to anyone, sherpas and whatnot. I liked it. The fact that Hillary never saw a mountain until he was 16 makes me think I have a shot at Everest someday...
Rating:
Summary: Exciting mountaineering tale
Review: It seems to me that Hillary's account of his Everest summit is honestly written. I found his writing style engaging, not because it was good, per say, but because it seemed to be a normal guy saying what he felt needed to be said. His style and opinions were very 1950's, and I don't think he meant any harm to anyone, sherpas and whatnot. I liked it. The fact that Hillary never saw a mountain until he was 16 makes me think I have a shot at Everest someday...
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