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 enlarge | Authors: Anatoli Boukreev, G. Weston Dewalt
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
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Avg. Customer Rating:  259 reviews
Sales Rank: 205047
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2
ISBN: 0312206372
Dewey Decimal Number: 796.522095496
EAN: 9780312206376
ASIN: 0312206372
Publication Date: July 16, 1999
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| Customer Reviews:
A good report on some excellent reportage April 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I was informed of Boukeev and DeWalt's THE CLIMB by a friend of mine who is an avid high altitude climber. Having read Krakauer's INTO THIN AIR, I was interested in other points of view of the May, 1996 Everest climb. Krakauer does a fine job in his self identified "personal account", but I felt that both a differing view and a less "personal" examination might go a long way to explaining the problems of the climb, the philosophy of commercial climbing, and enhance my understanding of that year's terrible loss of life on Everest. THE CLIMB did not disappoint me. I came away with all that I sought. Reading both books (INTO THIN AIR & THE CLIMB) provided me with a better understanding and a more well rounded viewpoint than reading either book to the exclusion of the other. I would highly recommend that those who are interested read both titles back to back to obtain the full informational effect. Then, make up your own mind about the danger and death encountered on that May in 1996.
Essential but not as pretty as some other books about Everest 1996 March 28, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book joins a group of other memoirs of the tragic 1996 season on Everest - - Jon Krakauer's famous "Into Thin Air," as well as chapters in Ed Viesturs' and David Breashears' autobiographies, among others. Boukreev stands in a special position among these. He behaved heroically in saving several climbers' lives in an emergency, but he has attracted criticism from Krakauer that, if he had guided differently earlier in the day there would not have been an emergency.
This book is Boukreev's response to his critics, and a full story of his role as a guide on Scott Fischer's expedition. The story begins with how he came to join Fischer, and the borderline fiasco of ordering oxygen bottles in Russia for the expedition.
The disaster unfolded as a result of decisions by two rival guides, Rob Hall and Scott Fischer. Thanks to Boukreev, only Fischer died among Fischer's team. Hall's team lost four, including Hall. Clearly, Boukreev deserves a lot of credit for the different results. But could he have done better? He summitted quickly, without oxygen, and returned to his tent to rest in case he was needed for a rescue. Apparently Fischer and Boukreev had agreed on this plan. But Viesturs, in an otherwise sympathetic account, wonders whether it would be better to prevent an emergency than to rest up in case of one. That point seems right to me, but it does not diminish Boukreev's heroism once the emergency develops.
Boukreev, whose English is shaky, wrote this book with Weston DeWalt. Most of the narrative is well polished. However, DeWalt chose to reproduce a transcript of their conversations during the key moments atop Everest. This decision gives the narrative an authenticity and immediacy, but I don't agree with it. Boukreev speaks stereotypical Russian-accented English and ends up sounding like Boris and Natasha from "Bullwinkle and Rocky." I liked DeWalt's reworking of the raw material up to that point, and I wish he had continued doing that.
If you're interested in the 1996 Everest disaster, this book is essential for you to make up your own mind about those events. If you're interested in mountaineering, it's a good book - - Boukreev was a phenomenal climber and this book provides a dramatic account of key events in his life. It doesn't put the 1996 story into full context as do the other books I mentioned above, but I'd recommend it nonetheless.
 An honest, straightforward account. March 2, 2008
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
You'll know it as soon as you get into it. Boukreev and DeWalt aren't slick; they wrote an account of events that rings true. If you read Krakauer's Into Thin Air, you'll know what I mean by slick writing. And if you read any later Krakauer works (Under the Banner of Heaven), you'll also understand how he starts with a pre-formed opinion of a topic, then proceeds to "investigate". The man does hatchet jobs on people, and he certainly chopped up Boukreev pretty good.
If Boukreev was such a lousy guide, why did he get a meritorious medal? Why did he turn around and go after 3 stranded people on Everest? Does that seem like a selfish coward? I don't think so. Cowards stay in their tents. Why would Krakauer assume the worst about a guy like that, and not accept his explanations? Krakauer wrote that he had more than a little guilt from own inabilities and non-actions, and wrote Into Thin Air partly as a catharsis, so maybe he just needed to share the load. Whatever the reason, after reading The Climb, Anatoli comes off as a big man, in my opinion, speaking well and complimentary about most everybody involved in that expedition, even those who didn't deserve it. And Krakauer? If he approaches you on the street and wants to chat, run like hell. Don't say anything he can use in a book.
The Climb gives a great understanding of what all goes on to pull together a remote climbing expedition. Some people say its difficult to read because it interlaces Boukreev's translated narrative with sections written by DeWalt. Two different kinds of type are used to distinguish the difference. It's not hard; it reads easy. It's enjoyable, exciting and interesting, and mostly -- it reads true. Check it out for yourself, read both books, and then ask yourself who you would rather have a beer with after a hike, Boukreev or Krakauer? That will be a pretty good intuitive yardstick of where you think the truth is located.
Everest Must Read February 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I read most of what's written about Mt. Everest and other climbing adventures but I only climb through the adventures of others. While I read "Into Thin Air" when it first came out, I only recently got around to reading Mr. Boukreev's excellent recitation of the tragic events of the '96 spring climbing season events as he experienced them. Mr. Boukreev's recounting of this tragic day in the history of Everest climbing is a great adventure story with many lessons about the realities of high altitude climbing, commercial expeditions, and the variables that come in such an extreame environment. "Into Thin Air" offers one perspective. "The Climb" offers a different perspective written by a participant in the event with an extensive resume of high altitude successes. A narrow-minded person could say that "The Climb" is Messrs. Boukreev and DeWalt writing about the greatness of Mr. Boukreev. To them I'd say "Why not?" Mr. Boukreev has earned his place in high altitude climbing and his actions in the '96 tradegy were nothing but heroic. This is a must read for an adventure reader and certainly for students of Everest climbing. My recommendation is to read both "The Climb" and "Into Thin Air". It's not an "either" "or" type of question. Both are must reads.
LIke Anything Russian, It's Crude but Effective February 5, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I read Krakauer's book first and then I read Anatoli's book. I had the following reactions: First, Krakauer has a way of making broad sweeping statements, as in "all of the Sherpa's hated Boukreev." How would he know that? Second, he assumes that Boukreev decided on his own to descend from the summit when he did. Third, it was Boukreev, not Krakauer or anyone else who after arriving at the camp, turned around and rescued three of the stranded climbers. Fourth, when Boukreev asked Krakauer to go with him on his rescue attempt, Krakauer refused. Finally, after reviewing all of the evidence from multible sources, including "Into Thin Air" the American Alpine Club awarded Boukreev it's heroism award for his attempt to save lives during the 1996 Everest Expedition. Into Thin Air is slick, written for Outside Magazine readers who hike and climb in only the most up to date uber expensive gear. It looks good, it sounds good, but its not real. Boukreev's account is crude, definitely not slick, but like a old school pair of boots or backpack, it works and keeps on working. It's True.
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