The Hard Years : His Autobiography

by Joe Brown

Joe Brown is one of the greatest names in British climbing. This book not only describes his many notable climbs, but reflects a most engaging personality with a highly interesting approach to his craft. He was born in a Manchester slum, the youngest of seven children; his father died before he was a year old. The characteristics he showed as a child - a quite extraordinary self-reliance and an unexpected love of the countryside - are reflected throughout his life-story. The Hard Years is also the story of Joe Brown's climbs up some of the toughest mountains in the world.

Genres: Climbing, Mountaineering, Biography, Nonfiction, Adventure, Autobiography, Travel

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Lorrraine Ayling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read from one of the classic British climbers Joe Brown.
This brought back memories of many of the names mentioned from conversations with my father who was one of the Lake District climbers of the '50's and early '60's and after many years took up the sport again in his retirement climbing in the Lakes and Spain.
Highly recommended.

[Jean Dupenloup · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and engaging autobiography by one of climbing’s great eminences.
From his humble beginnings as a plumber to his landmark first ascent of Kanchenjunga, Mr. Brown takes us along for the ride that is his remarkable life, with an acerbic wit and no small amount of determination.
A classic for mountaineers and climbers everywhere.

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly well written, but interesting for the antics that Joe and his mates got up to.

For those who've climbed at Wingather, he fell of the crux of "Portfolio" landed on his feet and then reclimbed it straight away. Good grief!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read but the ending was a little flat.

[Tamara Covacevich · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, a classic of British climbing. Will re read. Loved that it had so many descriptions of first ascents and crag discoveries, and also loads on his thoughts and philosophy around climbing.

[David Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modest account of one of Britains greatest rock climbers.