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 | | Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering from the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes | The DJ Groove Product Guide | | Home. You are here: Books / Fallen Giants: A History of Himalayan Mountaineering from the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes
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by Maurice Isserman, Stewart Weaver
from Yale University Press
| | | List Price: | $39.95 | | Price: | $26.37 | | You save: | $13.58 (33%) | | | Media: | Hardcover | | Availability: | Usually ships in 24 hours |
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Editorial ReviewThe first successful ascent of Mount Everest in 1953 by Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa teammate Tenzing Norgay is a familiar saga, but less well known are the tales of many other adventurers who also came to test their skills and courage against the world's highest and most dangerous mountains. In this lively and generously illustrated book, historians Maurice Isserman and Stewart Weaver present the first comprehensive history of Himalayan mountaineering in fifty years. They offer detailed, original accounts of the most significant climbs since the 1890s, and they compellingly evoke the social and cultural worlds that gave rise to those expeditions. The book recounts the adventures of such figures as Martin Conway, who led the first authentic Himalayan climbing expedition in 1892; Fanny Bullock Workman, the pioneer explorer of the Karakoram range; George Mallory, the romantic martyr of Mount Everest fame; Charlie Houston, who led American expeditions to K2 in the 1930s and 1950s; Ang Tharkay, the legendary Sherpa, and many others. Throughout, the authors discuss the effects of political and social change on the world of mountaineering, and they offer a penetrating analysis of a culture that once emphasized teamwork and fellowship among climbers, but now has been eclipsed by a scramble for individual fame and glory.
Customer Reviews:
- Avg. Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
- To Pedantic
Much of the book is long on words (may need dictionary at you side) and short of interest to hold great appeal. I'm still working my way through the book with the help of Wikipedia. This tome has over 100 pages of notes and bibliography. However, the subject matter, the Himalaya, is fascinating and "Fallen Giants" may be OK for those who already have good knowledge of its history.
- Almost perfect with little mistakes
The basis of this book is easily described, it's about how to survive and get on the summit. Although the structur of it could be better, noone wants to know how each single expedition had failed to get there, what they exactly did when they realized there is no way to manage this.
There are not few repeats of such moments.
Just pick up the most interesting events.
However it`s a must for everyone who wants to know, what it means to be on the top without realy having to be there.
more info
- An Uplifting Read
This is an excellent history of mountain climbing in the Himalaya. Isserman and Weaver do a masterful job, not just of recounting the history, but placing the efforts in political and cultural context. There were long periods where access to these mountains was restricted or forbidden. There has also always been a competitive thread to the missions, as climbers tried for all kinds of "firsts." Of course the history is filled with both triumphs and tragedies, and the authors tell these stories in a most... more info
- Climbing history
Excellent review of climbing history in both Himalaya and Karakoram ranges. Not a picture book, but there are loads of them out there. This tome covers first ascents and failures, AND is well written. A dream book for this history lover. A real treasure and endlessly fascinating.
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