Everest: Triumph and Tragedy on the World's Highest Peak

by Matt Dickinson

This book brings the world's mightiest peak alive in a way no traditional book can. Readers can chart a route on an early map of Everest, hold a Tibetan prayer flag like the ones generations of mountaineers have left at Everest's summit, and examine a dossier (complete with survival tips) for commercial clients attempting to climb the mountain. The pre-war attempts, the dangerous conditions, the recent discovery of long-lost climber George Mallory's...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060188065
• ISBN13: 9780060188061
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 10.3" x 10.3"

Customer Reviews

Everest for Re-enactors and Kids

"Everest: Triumph and Tragedy..." reminds me of a box of reproduction Civil-War memorabilia I was once given: it includes replicas of 1921 map, a Tibetan prayer flag, an envelope recovered from George Mallory's body in 1999, some 55 years after he died trying to climb the mountain, etc. The so-called 'artifacts' are nicely done - the envelope has Mallory's scribbles on it, and is worn along its edge - and will give the neophyte a "you are there" kind of thrill, like attending the re-enactment of a Civil War battle. The whole book comes to only 28 pages of text, however, so there is not much to it other than these interactive elements. Beyond this thrill the book is a serviceable introduction to the mysteries and history of Mount Everest, but it does not cover any new ground. Its interactive nature would make it an excellent choice for kids, but for adults it is for completists only. 4 stars for kids but 3 for adults.