Fallen Giants
A History of Himalayan Mountaineering from the Age of Empire to the Age of Extremes
- 2008 INDIES Winner
- Gold, Adventure & Recreation (Adult Nonfiction)
The authors have transformed the catalog-of-climbs, accounts-of-accidents approach of Himalayan mountaineering history into one that captures history and change—from sixteenth-, seventeenth-, and eighteenth-century reports, through the early amateur climbers such as Mallory and Irvine to today’s highly publicized ascents. Heroism, death, and drama abound, but so does poli-ticking, manipulation by host countries, and the horrific degradation of environment. Nonetheless, the unrivaled grandeur of the peaks and the outsize egos of their conquerors shine through. The author’s thoroughness and range make this hefty volume nearly encyclopedic in scope; the details on the “how” of climbing, the-no-margin-for-error experience, and the bonus of Vittorio Sella’s unmatched photographs make for a great book.
Reviewed by
Peter Skinner
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. No fee was paid by the publisher for this review. Foreword Reviews only recommends books that we love. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
