Rating: 
Summary: Interesting, compelling, a MUST read
Review: Mt. Everest is a passion and a curse, this is the essence of "High Exposure." While spending time developing his childhood, the author eventually gets into the best part of the book; Why climbers climb mountains? The consuming passion for climbing is elequently told by a man who has given us the IMAX images of the world's tallest mountain. His time on the mountain and in climbing recounts the good and the tears of mounteering. Mr. Breashears takes the reader on each climb as if we are taking each step and deciding on every movie shot. The time, talent and sheer guts of filming on Everest is totally facinating. If you have read "Into Thin Air," this selection is A MUST READ. I've been able to see the IMAX film "EVEREST" twice. After reading this book I wish I could go see it again, now with a deeper appreciation.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: Some people will say that David Breashears is trying to capitalize off the May '96 Everest disaster. No way. Breashears was an accomplished mountaineer and filmaker before that fateful day and will continue to achieve long after the general public has moved on to the next big thing. 'High Exposure' tells us about a boy who loved something (mountaineering), went after it, and grew up to be one of the best at what he does. Breashears is who he is in spite of what happened in May of 1996, not because of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Great to read how he became who he is
Review: The book focus on and has greater depth in the subject of climbing and filming. It felt a little too narrative and superficial sometime. One aspect I find lacking is the expression of his feelings and character. We know that David is not perfect, he admitted to be very demanding and could be rather explosive in temperament. But we do not get much insight on that but have to read between the lines to find out.Strangely, he talked much about his father, who appeared to be just an unpleasant distant memory, someone he had little feelings, yet he hardly mentioned his mother and how close was their relationship. He said that he had a great time with Veronique when working side by side with each other and he worked her very hard, but no details to illustrate. His marriage failure told much about a man whose passion for the mountains was much greater than his love for his wife. There is no right or wrong, everyone makes choices and bears the responsibility of such choices. This book is about how a man became what and who he is now. It has much details on how he climbed higher each time and how his skills evolved to be who he is today. But if you want to see the man beyond his achievement, you only get some clues, which only whet your appetite for curiosity. Maybe that's the angle of the book, to focus on how and what he achieved, than on anything too personal.
Rating: 
Summary: Exciting stories, weak context
Review: This book reads like an exciting diary, but no more. My problem with the book is that it never provides much context, much history. It provides a linear description of the author's exciting life. It would be better if he would use the various historical benchmarks - perhaps the Mallory attempt - to provide some broader context. Even understanding the differences between climbing in 1924 and 1986 are ignored. This is perhaps because no significant research was put into this book. It appears lifted straight out of his diaries or memory. Mind you, I admitt it is an EXCITING story, but the writing is somewhat less than polished. Contrast my comment with A Walk In the Woods. In this story, Bryson takes time to explain the detailed context of the AT's history. He provides information on the Deleware Water Gap, for example that goes beyond his own diary experience. This is what is lacking in High Exposure.
Rating:
Summary: Good report on the 1996 incident
Review: This is mostly an autobiography of David Breashears. But since he was one of the rescuer in the 1996 accident, this book is also a very good first hand account of how that tragedy had came to be. Personally I like this book very much, because Breashears' writing was very inspirational. By examining his writing, one can't fail to notice that the author is a man with a genuine passion for the mountains; not to conquer them, but to be there.
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