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Summary: An exciting read on a deathdifying adventure
Review: A very exciting read, once you start this book you will never want to put it down. Joe Simpson tells about is near death experience and how he survives. Along with Simon Yates, this book is a must read!!!
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Summary: Absolute must for climbers.
Review: I almost cringe just thinking about this story. Psychology majors should check Touching the Void and This Game of Ghosts to analyze the effects of childhood and family dynamics on adult behavior. Simpson is not the best writer, but Touching the Void definitely exemplifies the harsh decisions that mountaineers are forced to make.
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Summary: An incredible tale!
Review: This book is the most incredible tale of human survival I've ever heard. Okay, so maybe Joe Simpson isn't Ernest Hemingway. The fact that Simpson isn't a novelest makes his retelling all the more personal and interesting. He tells the story the way it was--from someone trained to mountain climb. This makes the account all the more fascinating. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction--this book is exhibit A.
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Summary: A book that teaches us to continue whatever the danger
Review: Joe Simpson has brough to life the universal truth that the future - the void - is fearsome and unknowable. Yet we have no alternative but to stare into that future with courage and to live every moment with hope. It is a Zen lesson - as revealed in the title.
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Summary: Outstanding book
Review: A must read for adventure lovers. In many ways better than Into Thin Air-- much more personal. The author tells of the psychological struggles as well as the physical which I thought was fantastic.
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Summary: Great real-life story, but averagely written book
Review: I think many of the reviewers of this book have confused an incredible adventure with a rather lackluster retelling of it. Average prose, a weak ending, and a sometimes less than clear narrative fail, however, to obscure the fact that Joe Simpson had an almost inconceivably close brush with death. Throughout I was reminded of the Chinese curse: "May you live in interesting times!" At the risk of understatement, Simpson had a most interesting experience!I have been told that despite the literary shortcomings of this book, his other books are much better written, though of necessity, they treat of less "interesting" adventures. And for his sake, I am very glad that they are less exciting. My recommendation: if you have any interest in mountain climbing or extraordinary true life adventures, you should definitely consider reading this.
Rating: 
Summary: boring account of an exciting adventure
Review: this book is highly overrated by fellow readers. i could barely finish it. compared to "into thin air" this was a drag. the prose is boring and didn't hold my interest at all. i had no "feel" for the characters whatsoever, quite frankly didn't care one way or the other what happened to them.
Rating:
Summary: Essential reading!
Review: A gripping story, fairly well written. Read it if you're an armchair adventurer. Make a special effort to read it if you ever go out in the wilderness as a hiker, climber or whatever, because this book instructs you on two things : a) what can go wrong; and b) the resilience of the will to survive. Then if you're ever in trouble, you can remember what Simpson went through (unimaginable trauma!!) and feel there's hope.
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Summary: Classic solo survival story.
Review: This first person narrative of solo survival transcends the mountaineering genre. It is a classic story of a blending of human will, mental and physical stamina, technical knowledge, creativity, and inner serenity (notwithstanding whirling fear) capable of surmounting monstrously intimidating circumstances. It is a land companion to Steven Callahan's "Adrift." Both books are nearly exhausting while nearly impossble to put down. Both are written in clear prose that engages a reader not previously knowlegeable of the specialized stage upon which the drama occurs. They are thus both very educational on many planes. Both leave the reader somehow better poised and cathartically wiser in the face of more mundane challenges. I would welcome other readers' tips on any other books that might match these books' high standards.
Rating:
Summary: More engaging than "Into Thin Air"
Review: It you liked "Into Thin Air" you will love "Touching the Void". The experiences of the author make the Everest expedition detailed in "Into Thin Air" look like a cake walk. This is a quick, fast-paced read that you will not be able to put down.
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