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Going Higher: Oxygen, Man and Mountains
In this completely revised edition of a classic work, Houston examines the inter-relationships between humans, oxygen, and mountains. Beginning with what oxygen is and how we use it, Houston guides the reader through the latest understanding of the various types of mountain sickness, to acclimatization, prevention, and treatment.
- GenresClimbingMountaineering
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 8, 2025
Good resource. The field is lacking in it.
October 29, 2009
The content of this book is much too detailed for most readers. However, it appears to be the latest and greatest information on altitude sickness. An abridged version for hikers would be very useful.
June 25, 2021
I have owned a copy of this book since 1987. It was required reading for my first college level biology class. The professor structured the class around the body systems that this book covers as well as the changes that occur to those systems as a person moves to higher altitudes. I found the book very understandable, but then I am not an average reader. It was a good book to build a class around that was designed for nursing students as well as for anyone interested in mountain climbing. I read the book again every few years... as a refresher.
August 28, 2022
Very detailed and “scientific” book on how the body reacts to altitude. I was looking for a book that can give me a layman’s perspective and at times the details were so excessive I felt almost like I’m sitting in a lecture for medical students.
However, I still managed to learn a lot and I skimmed across the overly elaborate parts, so all in all still a good read.
However, I still managed to learn a lot and I skimmed across the overly elaborate parts, so all in all still a good read.
June 7, 2018
This is not "light reading." Don't read this book if you want quick, practical recommendations for how to handle the altitude on your next dayhike or weekend backpacking trip.
For anyone interested in altitude medicine, the history and state-of-the-art, what we know and what we don't about altitude sickness of any kind, its possible causes, and the science behind various known treatments and promising areas of future research, this book is a must-read.
Charles Houston is clearly one of THE authorities in the field. His writing, backed up with numerous anecdotes and contributions from co-authors, presents the kind of info you'd find in a medical textbook in the context of high altitude mountaineering narratives. Humorous stories and quips are coupled with insight Houston has amassed over decades of research. It's definitely the kind of book you can read cover-to-cover, learning a ton along the way.
For anyone interested in altitude medicine, the history and state-of-the-art, what we know and what we don't about altitude sickness of any kind, its possible causes, and the science behind various known treatments and promising areas of future research, this book is a must-read.
Charles Houston is clearly one of THE authorities in the field. His writing, backed up with numerous anecdotes and contributions from co-authors, presents the kind of info you'd find in a medical textbook in the context of high altitude mountaineering narratives. Humorous stories and quips are coupled with insight Houston has amassed over decades of research. It's definitely the kind of book you can read cover-to-cover, learning a ton along the way.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews