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Keep Climbing: How I Beat Cancer and Reached the Top of the World
Recounts a cancer survivor's inspirational life and climb of Mt. Everest, describing how he beat the odds in his early teens when he became the only person in the world with both Hodgkin's Disease and Askin's Sarcoma and how he achieved a successful summit with only one lung. 100,000 first printing.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 14, 2008
I had the opportunity to hear this author speak of his life experiences and as I am a cancer survivor and a reader of mountaineering literature it was an easy sell. Sean Swarner has a wonderful sense of humor and a smile that could light up a dark room. Its not hard to see why. The man has been given a gift.
Sean Swarner survived two separate kinds of cancer. In fact he is the only one in the world to have been diagnosed with both Hodgkins's disease and Askin's sarcoma. With the first diagnosis he was given three months to live, with the second it was only three weeks. His youth was a long series of endless treatments and this was in the old days before there was anti-nausea drugs given out with the chemo. He suffered greatly and he was robbed of his teen-age years.
No one knows why he developed two different kinds of cancer. No one knows why he is still alive. After it was all over to his and everyone else's astonishment he found himself in remission. Young and experiencing a survivor's high he decided to do the impossible and train to climb Everest. He knew nothing of climbing.
His narrative of his life and adventure is a refreshing change from most books in this genre. Normally the writer is an experienced climber who comes from a background of knowledge of the subject. If you are a novice at climbing you will find yourself learning right along with Sean and if you know something about the subject it will amuse you to read about familar paths and trails through fresh eyes.
I enjoyed it. It brought back many unpleasant memories but it also gave me a new way to view the world -"We shouldn't be afraid of dying. We should be afraid of living a life that doesn't matter'. True words from a brave and inspiring young man.
Sean Swarner survived two separate kinds of cancer. In fact he is the only one in the world to have been diagnosed with both Hodgkins's disease and Askin's sarcoma. With the first diagnosis he was given three months to live, with the second it was only three weeks. His youth was a long series of endless treatments and this was in the old days before there was anti-nausea drugs given out with the chemo. He suffered greatly and he was robbed of his teen-age years.
No one knows why he developed two different kinds of cancer. No one knows why he is still alive. After it was all over to his and everyone else's astonishment he found himself in remission. Young and experiencing a survivor's high he decided to do the impossible and train to climb Everest. He knew nothing of climbing.
His narrative of his life and adventure is a refreshing change from most books in this genre. Normally the writer is an experienced climber who comes from a background of knowledge of the subject. If you are a novice at climbing you will find yourself learning right along with Sean and if you know something about the subject it will amuse you to read about familar paths and trails through fresh eyes.
I enjoyed it. It brought back many unpleasant memories but it also gave me a new way to view the world -"We shouldn't be afraid of dying. We should be afraid of living a life that doesn't matter'. True words from a brave and inspiring young man.
February 17, 2012
Sean Swarner is full of BS, and uses his cancer story to manipulate people. Don't bother reading his trash.
September 1, 2026
Beautiful inspiring life story. The fact that what he went through has killed so many people and yet he climbed to the summit of everest with so much positivity and strength. If you're struggling with anything. This book will give you life.
December 26, 2025
What a story! His bravery and persistence surprised me.
April 30, 2009
First cancer survivor to summit Everest with only one fully functioning lung - how can you NOT be inspired?! A great read for anyone who needs encouragement or enjoys autobiographies :)
June 14, 2009
This may not be the best written book but it is one of the most inspirational books that I have ever read.
January 30, 2010
Very inspiring.
July 18, 2011
What should have been an incredible story of survival and triumph is not a very well written or interesting book. I got no sense of what makes this guy tick - just a bunch of platitudes.
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May 19, 2009Amazing biography
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews