A view from the Summit: worth a read? (View from the Summit - Edmund Hillary)

Member Name: Chapperz

Product:	View from the Summit - Edmund Hillary
Date:	25/03/02 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Inspiring, Interesting

Disadvantages: Not much on Everest, A bit slow in places

Edmund Hillary's view from the summit: is there anything that man cannot do? He was the first to summit Everest accompanied by Tenzing Norgay. He was the first to drive tractors to the South Pole. He also stood on the North Pole (but as he admits he cheated on that one and flew in) He was the first person to stand on the two poles and the 8,848 meters that is Mount Everest.

Every mountaineer dreams of seeing those 4 numbers on their altimeter one day, to stand on the roof of the world. Hillary is the idol of many young mountaineers today.

Hillary starts the book near to the summit of Everest, which is my only criticism. They have reached the summit and are half way back down by the end of the first chapter.

In much more detail is the expedition to supply the South Pole attempt where Hillary achieves the South Pole, even though it wasn't part of the original plan.

Also the jet boat trip up the River Ganges, another first of the time.

The book tells us of the tradegy of Hillary's first wife and youngest daughter being killed in a plane crash in Nepal.

Also documented is when Hillary realised his climbing career was over, he suffered from oedema at high altitudes and knew he had to stay at low altitudes so as not to risk his life.

A truly inspiring book that I would recommend to anyone. A great man with a great story to tell...

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