High Adventure: The True Story of the First Ascent of Everest

Engaging writing. Hillary includes enough detail to allow you to image his adventures. I read the entire book in one sitting. That's not because it was too short or too easy, just captivating and a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon with coffee.I bought the book because I wanted a detailed account of how Hillary and Norgay conquered Everest. Even so, you come away from the book with an admiration for the entire expedition and how their resolve resulted in success.This is an excellent book. I enjoyed it very much.

The funny thing is that people probably eschew this book, thinking it's written in "old fashioned" terminology or it's "just another summit book."Nothing could be further from the truth. Hillary's enthusiasm for mountain climbing punctuates every page (literally; I don't think there's a page in the book that lacks an exclamation point). He talks about the technicalities of climbing with ease and in accessible language, and he regards the mountains as beings in their own right, worthy of respect and awe.In addition, the edition of the book I read, despite being a paperback, was illustrated not only with line drawings reminiscent of Arthur Ransome's books, but with simple maps and diagrams showing exactly where the various glaciers are or the path through the Khombu icefall (not nearly as simple as later books/authors make it seem!). These diagrams add even more personality to an already-fascinating book, and give the reader a real sense of what these explorers faced.This is an enthralling book that goes along at a great pace and it was definitely over too soon. Give it a try: it's worth at least a dozen of the whiny 70's mountaineering books!

he was the first

Book arrived in good shape as described. It was a very detailed account of the Everest climb and others in the prior two years. Some have criticized Hillary for his use of the term "coolies" but I didn't get the sense that he used it derogatorily. I think it was the term used for "porter" in those days. I trekked in the Everest region in 1978 and was present while Hillary worked on the hospital he set up. A sherpa acquaintance told me that he was very highly regarded by the Sherpa people because of his continued assistance to the region after the climb.This book would be of greatest interest to readers who have some familiarity with climbing and glacier exploration. Otherwise, it might be a bit tedious and hard to relate to, due to the detailed descriptions of the climbing.

I really liked the book. It’s not a book for those who have not read anything about mountaineering in my opinion.

Interesting reading that really puts you back in time.

When I was eleven years old, I read High Adventure. And decided that I would also be an adventurer. I have been that and more.Thank You Sir Edmund Hillery! I have had a Great Ride in this life I have lead. Would do it all over again even with the body bags and severely wounded as a USAF Pararescueman in Southeast Asia.DC SurferDoc Johnson

“High Adventure” is Sir Edmund Hillary’s exciting account tells the exciting account of the first successful summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Though the events are often dramatic and the accomplishments great, he tells the story in a rather humble, straight-forward manner. Despite this, the intensity and difficulty of the expedition come through clearly. At times, I suffered from a vertigo-like uneasiness just reading his account of their climb near the summit. I was left with great respect for Hillary, Tenzing, and the entire 1953 Everest team.