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Title: Annapurna: A Woman's Place by Arlene Blum, Maurice Herzog ISBN: 1578050227 Publisher: Sierra Club Books Pub. Date: October, 1998 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.7
Rating: 5
Summary: Enthralling story of first women to climb Annapurna.
Comment: One of the best books ever written about women's climbing. The author, Arlene Blum, the group leader, has written a wonderful book about the first Americans, and the first women, to climb Annapurna. They were also the first women to climb to 8,000 meters. In 1978, this international group, from America, England, and Poland, set out to climb one of the highest mountains in the world. They helped to finance their expedition by selling 15,000 t-shirts printed with an outline of the peak, and the motto, "A Woman's Place Is On Top." Contrary to some recent highly publicized climbs in the Himalayas, led by professional guides for substantial fees from inexperienced climbers, all ten climbing members were capable climbers who led some routes, carried full packs, and entertained dreams of summiting without Sherpa support. Arlene Blum, a professor at Berkeley, was chosen as the group leader, and she tells of the struggle to raise money and organize members and e! ! quipment. Once in Nepal, she had to deal with conflicts in the group, and with Sherpas who were dubious of women's ability to climb high. One center of conflict was the desire of some members to climb for the summit without Sherpa support. Blum, ever concerned with safety, prevailed, and Sherpas supported the summit effort. (Hillary, after all, had Tenzing Norgay.) A thrilling story, and thrilling photographs. A video of the expedition exists somewhere. A must read for any one interested in Himalayan climbing.
Rating: 4
Summary: A truly pioneering book for its time
Comment: Reading "Annapurna" by Arlene Blum is in many ways like standing atop a mountain and surveying the path already hard won. Written in a strident style, at times, for women's rights and tackling the seemingly insurmountable odds of fielding an all-woman team to one of the highest peaks in 1978, the book is dated. But, upon re-release in the 20th anniversary edition, it should be seen within the context of its times. And, yes, women have climbed mountains in that time. Yes, there no longer is the need to "prove" a woman's worth. And, yes, a woman's place is on top! as their mountaineering slogan ran, but with the 1990s, into the 21st century proviso today: Or, anywhere else she chooses. "Annapurna" is perfectly timed in its re-release with the hit "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer being such a hit and with its rebuttal, "The Climb" by the late Anatoli Boukreev. All three should be read for a better understanding of the strains and accomplishments of mere mortals -- male and female -- climbing their own personal mountains.
Rating: 5
Summary: We've Come a Long Way...
Comment: This is one of the best climbing narratives I have read. Arlene Blum gives us a glimpse into each climber's strengths and idiosyncracies. We are treated to an intimate look at how each member contributes to the team as a whole.
I enjoyed seeing how each member of the team overcame personal challenges with the mountain, whether it was to climb higher than she ever had before, or to make the summit. Sadly, two climbers met their challenges with the ultimate price -- their lives.
I was impressed with Arlene's leadership ability and organization. By the end of the book, Arlene's growth as a leader was obvious -- she made some difficult decisions (both good and bad) and learned from each of them.
Several times I was annoyed by the Sherpas' insubordination, but perhaps that was due to a clash of cultures, etc. It's wonderful to see how the times have changed in the climbing world today as compared to back then.
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Title: Annapurna, First Conquest of an 8000-Meter Peak: (26,493 Feet) by Maurice Herzog, Nea Morin, Janet Adam Smith, Eric Shipton ISBN: 1558215492 Publisher: The Lyons Press Pub. Date: 01 June, 1997 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Nanda Devi: The Tragic Expedition by John Roskelley ISBN: 0898867398 Publisher: Mountaineers Books Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Leading Out: Mountaineering Stories of Adventurous Women by Rachel De Silva, Rachel Da Silva, Arlene Blum ISBN: 1580050107 Publisher: Seal Pr Feminist Pub Pub. Date: September, 1998 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: The Worst Journey in the World by Apsley Cherry-Garrard ISBN: 0786704373 Publisher: Carroll & Graf Pub. Date: April, 1997 List Price(USD): $16.95 |
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Title: Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer by Margot Morrell, Stephanie Capparell, Alexandra Shackleton ISBN: 0670891967 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: 02 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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