|
| 
 enlarge | Author: Felice Benuzzi
Publisher: The Lyons Press
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy Used: $3.29
You Save: $11.66 (78%)
New (3) Used (23) from $3.29
Avg. Customer Rating:  12 reviews
Sales Rank: 918982
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 248
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.7
ISBN: 1558218769
Dewey Decimal Number: 940.547241092
EAN: 9781558218765
ASIN: 1558218769
Publication Date: April 1, 1999
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: not library discard, smoke free site, no marks
|
| Customer Reviews:
 What a story! April 4, 2002
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I just needed to comment that the author is my grandfather, and I am very proud of both him and his work.
He was - apart from his job as a diplomat - a passionate Alpinist. He loved mountains. It was not only to relieve the boredom of POW life that he and his two friends made the climb, it was also because they fell in love with Mt Kenya the first time the clouds finally cleared and they saw it...
He spent a large portion of his life working to protect Antartica from development and other human intrusions.
He was a great man, and he wrote a wonderful book. Look for an upcoming T.V. documentary on their climb; it should be interesting.
captures the true spirit of climbing March 19, 2002
Most climbing books are rather boring, even to climbers. There's something about climbing that just doesn't translate well to books. But even though I've never had to break out of a prisoner of war camp just to go climbing, Benuzzi's story just seems more familiar and human than any other climbing story I've ever read. I can imagine myself on his climb, feeling like he was feeling. I don't know if a non-climber would get quite as much out of it, but the story is funny and the adventure is exciting, so give it a shot.
 Tribute to POW's Hunger for Freedom, Mountaineering Style August 25, 2001
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As one who loves mountains and climbing, I relish great stories of exceptional mountaineering feats. At times, however, I ponder the meaning and heroics of well planned, well outfitted and well guided expeditions--even when they produce grim results. This is an almost whimsical mountaineering tale with meaning, heroics...and a lot of heart. Bored with dreary life as an Italian prisoner in a British POW camp, Felice Benuzzi's spirit is lifted as he spies majestic Mt. Kenya break through the clouds and he contemplates the idea of escaping the camp long enough to climb the peak and plant a flag. Given the practicalities of the geopolitical map of East Africa in 1941, Benuzzi realizes he has little hope of a successful escape to friendly territory. So, Benuzzi determines to channel his energy to engaging partners in his quest, storing away supplies and manufacturing within the confines of a POW camp the technical equipment to climb a very difficult peak. After six months of preparation, Benuzzi and his two partners must escape the POW camp and avoid close encounters with Africa's dangerous big game (they are in the heart of prime hunting lands) before they can even begin their mountaineering endeavor. Already weak from their life as POWs, running short of supplies, facing unfavorable weather and lacking adequate information about the mountain's topography, they are denied Mt. Kenya's highest point on the route that also denied an earlier group led by the esteemed Shipton. However, Benuzzi savored the sweet taste of success on the mountain's second highest point before returning to camp. The lingering taste of success sustained Benuzzi through the remainder of his days as a POW. Benuzzi recounts his feat with modesty, grace and subtle humor. Fun and inspiring!
Great Stuff! July 23, 1999
3 out of 8 found this review helpful
Having climbed Mt. Kenya myself, I can appreciate Benuzzi's experience. The book is a lot of fun to read. Very enjoyable.
Check out the movie. December 9, 1998
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
A big adventure story is even more compelling when told in simple prose as this one is. The author's tone is a constant reminder that we are being let into the events by one who lived them, rather than a professional observer with a more polished writing style. I lately discovered "The Ascent", a feature film loosely based on Benuzzi's story, by Canadian Director Donald Shebib. Shebib added a love interest and beautifully photographed the story on location in Kenya. Check it out.
|
|
|
Powered by Associate-O-Matic
| |
