Minus 148 Degrees

by Art Davidson

Book Overview

Minus 148 is one of the few true classics in the literature of mountaineering. It is no simple tale of heroism and valour, like Annapurna, but rather a vexed, uneven story of doubt, failure, whim, courage, tragedy. The expedition was unbalanced, with the strong members far superior to the others. Perhaps the strongest of all was killed in an absurd accident within the first hours. The leader himself seemed to lose heart in mid-stream. Yet everything was redeemed by the magnificent accomplishment of the summit in early March, and then by the even more magnificent survival of Art, Dave Johnston, and Ray Genet.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898866871
• ISBN13: 9780898866872
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books
• Length: 254 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

WOW!

I bought this book because I wanted to get a feel for high altitude climbing though I have no interest in climbing for myself. Geez! I got the picture. I'm still blown away by the story of what happened on the mountain. But, thankfully, blown away, only in a metaphorical sense...I had a friend who was a high altitude climber who told me about a friend climbing in the Himalayas. The guy went out during a blizzard at high altitude to relieve himself and was never seen again. My friend said,"He was blown into the stratosphere". I never understood that kind of language until I read this book.It's an incredible story of survival right up there with the story of the voyage of the crew of the Endurance. The writing is awfully good for a mountain climber!

Gripping read.

Excellent, involving narrative and a fascinating depiction of the dynamics at work among members of a climbing expedition. A must-read for fans of the mountaineering genre, but with broader appeal for anyone who would explore -- from a safe distance -- the limits of human endurance. Read this book.

Worth reading again after 22 years

I first read this book in 1972 while in high school. Could not read it fast enough but did not want it to end. Had all the adventure and suspense of a true Alaskan adventure. On my second trip to Alaska as a state park campground host in 1994 I worked in Denali state park. Not until later did I realize that the six foot five, red head ranger was none other than Dave Johnston. One of the first three men to reach the summit of Mount McKinley in the winter. To know that these men could survive such an ordeal and years later be so down to earth. If you enjoy books about Alaska and not just mountaineering this is a must read.

Inspiring and chilling, an all-around great book

I first read this book when I was 8, and it was the one thing that sparked my interest in mountaineering. It is among the great mountaineering books of all time; Annapurna, Into Thin Air, and The Climb. Once you start reading it, it is impossible to put down. An all-around great book.