Reinhold Messner: Free Spirit

 

Reinhold Messner: Free Spirit
Page Type Gear Review
Object Title Reinhold Messner: Free Spirit
Manufacturer Messner (The Mountaineers)
Page By Augie Medina
Page Type Jun 13, 2007 / Jun 9, 2011
Object ID 3409
Hits 6035
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Product Description

Messner is known as one the greatest mountaineers ever. His is a climbing life of firsts: first ascent of Everest without oxygen in 1978; first solo ascent of Everest in 1980; and in 1986, first person to have climbed all fourteen 8000 meter peaks.

Nearly every chapter in this autobiography recounts a great climbing feat. The chapters are short but action packed. One of the most intense chapters is on his 1970 climb of Nanga Parbat where Messner lost his brother and toes on both feet. Interestingly enough, the autobiography ends with Messner touting another climber’s 1990 solo ascent of the South Face of Lhotse and calls this individual (Tomo Cesen) “currently the best climber in the world.”

Product Details

Price: $19.95
Paperback:` 272 pages with B & W photos
Author: Reinhold Messner
Publisher: The Mountaineers
Year of Publication: 1998
Language: English. Translated by Jill Neate
ISBN: 978-0-89886-573-8

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Reviews


Viewing: 1-3 of 3

Augie Medina - Jun 13, 2007 9:28 pm - Voted 5/5

Good Reading
A real satisfying read. Even though it’s an autobiography with chapters arranged chronologically, you really don’t have to read the book chronologically to get a feel for Messner’s character and determination. In fact, you can jump back and forth between chapters because each is an enjoyable read in itself.

All the chapters are relatively short because Messner crams a lot of climbing highlights into 272 pages. The writing is not particularly stellar, but that deficiency is overcome by the climbing feats reflected in the book. The climbing style ethic that he developed and adhered to in his career certainly comes through loud and clear.

tigerlilly - Feb 13, 2008 6:27 pm - Hasn't voted

Re: Good Reading
Yes, I agree fully. The writing is not "stellar" but, it is a satisfying read. Good Stuff.

Gorg - Jul 14, 2008 12:11 pm - Voted 5/5

Great Book
I don't know what your talking about. This is easily one of the best written mountaineer books ever written.

The Nanga Parbat chapter is incredible.

Viewing: 1-3 of 3