Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest
| Page Type | Gear Review |
|---|---|
| Object Title | Left for Dead: My Journey Home from Everest |
| Manufacturer | Beck Weathers (Villard Books) |
| Page By | Augie Medina |
| Page Type | Apr 23, 2007 / Jan 25, 2016 |
| Object ID | 3033 |
| Hits | 7301 |
| Vote |
Product Description
This is the story of one of the survivors of the May 1996 Mt. Everest tragedy brought prominently into the public limelight by Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air. The author is a pathologist who was a member of Rob Hall’s commercial expedition. On May 10, nine climbers perished when a blizzard hit high on the mountain. Weathers was left for dead at 26,000 feet in subzero temperatures. Somehow, he emerged from a hypothermic coma after 18 hours and miraculously made his way down the mountain to camp. Weathers survived but lost both hands and his nose.Equally as interesting as the harrowing experience on the mountain is the narrative of how climbing brought Weathers to the precipice of losing his wife and family. Much of this part of the story is told in commentary by his wife, their kids and friends. But in fact, Weathers salvaged his relationship with his family while working through the agony of recovering from his disfiguring injuries. This is a story of survival on many levels.
Product Details
Price: $24.95Hardback: 293 pages
Author: Beck Weathers with Stephen J. Michaud
Publisher: Villard Books
Year of Publication: 2000
Language: English
ISBN: 0-375-50404-4
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Reviews
Viewing: 1-2 of 2 |
silversummit - Jan 30, 2009 5:12 pm - Voted 4/5
This is one of those books....
that I actually dreaded reading certain parts of and indeed did skip some descriptions of Beck's feelings that fateful night and his injuries and medical recovery details.
But to make up for my omissions I read every word about his wife and his family. I've always felt that most books of this type neglect the other side of these larger than life mountaineers and perennial wannabees. What about their wives, their children and real world commitments? For once, we see what neglect and overwhelming compulsion to achieve does and yet people make it through. Kind of sappy in its own way but good to read about.
But to make up for my omissions I read every word about his wife and his family. I've always felt that most books of this type neglect the other side of these larger than life mountaineers and perennial wannabees. What about their wives, their children and real world commitments? For once, we see what neglect and overwhelming compulsion to achieve does and yet people make it through. Kind of sappy in its own way but good to read about.
Viewing: 1-2 of 2 |
Augie Medina - Apr 23, 2007 9:20 pm - Voted 4/5
A Close CallWhile I cannot say that the book’s writing is stellar, the themes of adventure, salvaging body and soul, and a sort of redemption, are all there.