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Many of the passages that are meant to be humorous simply aren't. Ed has had incredible experiences climbing tall mountains. The numerous quotes from other people describing him as a great person, climber or as having had a big impact on them make Ed seem boastful. Unfortunately his prose is unconvincing. A good editor could have vastly improved the book. While the book tells the story of what happened including some very dramatic events, it somehow remains too factual to evoke strong emotions from me - I never felt like I was there. I also would have appreciated a little more technical discussion about critical decisions made during the climb rather than simply stating that he decided to turn back 300 feet from the summit.
I definitely enjoyed reading "No Shortcuts to the Top" over my winter break and about his Endeavor 8000 project. If you're into or like reading about high altitude mountaineering or just feel like hearing about someone's quest to finish a seemingly unattainable goal then check this book out.From an inspirational/life lesson/etc. point of view, I imagine hearing him speak would be more powerful.
Mind, spirit and lungcapacity all mesh at a high level in Viesturs, and, along with his "compartmentalized"orientation while on the mountain, still create a human guy that European climbersadmire as an example of their highest image of Americans.The whole lucky package seems unfair; to grow up wanting to climb so badly, and then to be gifted with the lung liters and oxygen take-up to match.I would like to know more about the whole sponsorship thing - how it really plays out among 'regular' climbers on the mountain, and how it has modified Mr Viesturs' approach to climbing, and to other climbers(and they to him). Krakauer, Simpson, Breshears, Messner, etc have all taken us with them on a fewarmchair climbing trips, too, but Mr Viesturs is something different. Anyone who has lived out of a pack for a few days, bagged a few peaks,and taken a few roped chances just for a visceral, unambiguous sense of accomplishment -and a great view- will get a lot out of Ed's book. (There are a couple stealth plugs for Mountain Hardware tents in the book)But you do get the sense that he's not just a shill that gets off on plastering himself with logos -his direct-thinking approach just found the best way to facilitate his heart's desire,and it seems the standards he holds himself to are high enough to allow him to do thingshis way, without having to knuckle under to commercial pressure. As I readthis book and thumbed ahead (or back) to the pics, or looked at the Google images of him, I kept thinking "The Last Boy Scout" in spite of myself. His morals and manners, his dedication and his professionalism, his single-minded pursuit of mountaineering while banging out a veterinary degree, all make me jealous - also in spite of myself.As we learn in the book, a big part of his secret is that he was born with a physiology that is superior for hard work in thin air. The sponsors are jumping on Ed's bandwagon, not the other way around. Through the light commercial haze surrounding Ed Viesturs, I can see a man to admire, and to emulate as best I can.
This is a great book. Very good story, he holds nothing back, tells all in detail, fun and easy read. Just as good as any of the other mountaineering books out there. I recommend this book if you enjoy any climbing stories.
If they die at 8000 meters, no one can bring them back home and many. This is a phenomenal book that is worth the read. The stories and experiences that Ed Viesturs shares in this book are excellent. What struck me time and again when reading the book, was the utter isolational that these climbers experience. And, I plan on being one of Ed Viesturs fans - he is a true American hero. The end of the book, when he is climbing Annapurna, which is the most dangerous of the 8000 meter mountains (and not K2 or Everest) kept me on the edge of my seat.
Ed shares these stories of the ones that he knew and you can tell his regret. When I started this book, I couldn't put it down, and I finished it in a little over one day. many of them have died on these mountains. And, the other stories of the French climber (J.C). who climbed the difficult East route of Annapurna (which Ed turned back on because of riskiness), of Ed's climb on K2, of his experience on Everest in the tragic year of 1996, and others too numerous to name here, make this a book that is one that kept me wanting to keep reading to see what was next.Ultimately, this book comes across as a tribute to all the Himalayan mountain climbers who have died over the years in this truly deadly sport. His story of finding his two friends Rob and Scott who died in 1996 was very emotional.Consequently, when I finished reading this book (on my Kindle), I decided that this was a book that I also wanted to own a hard copy of (that doesn't happen often).
And, I also plan on following these other mountain climbing heros, and maybe one of these days, I'll climb Mount Rainier (at the age of 57 that's a tough one but that is how motivating this book is).Yes, Ed, your work does add value.
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