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From the Mountain’s Edge: From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Lucky comes a new, harrowing true story about what it means to find strength in the ... of adversity and lead a life with courage
A True Story Of Risk, Resilience and SurvivalAfter a life-changing neck injury left him paralysed, Ed Jackson defied the odds to walk again. Driven by a renewed perspective on life and determination to push his limits, Ed set out to climb Himlung Himal—a 7,126-meter peak deep in Nepal’s Himalayas. But as the climb unfolded, what began as a daring expedition quickly became a test of survival.
Joined by fellow climbers Ben, Beetle, Arron, and their guide Bigraj, Ed faced extreme conditions—treacherous glaciers, near-misses, and snowstorms that prevented the team from summiting. When altitude sickness forced Ben to turn back, Ed made a fateful decision just meters from the top, realising that success wasn’t about reaching the summit but knowing when to stop. As they descended, the true danger revealed itself.
Stranded on the side of the mountain with no shelter, minimal food and water, and fading hope, the team endured a harrowing night, unsure if rescue would ever come. Isolated in the freezing wilderness, they confronted not only the unforgiving elements but their own fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities. With Bigraj’s courageous efforts and a helicopter rescue arriving the next day, the climbers narrowly escaped with their lives.
From the Mountain’s Edge is more than a tale of adventure. It’s a powerful story of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity, the bonds forged through teamwork, and the courage it takes to recognise when a goal has stopped serving you. As Ed reflects on the perilous journey and the emotional toll it took, this book becomes a profound meditation on the strength it takes to walk away—and the lessons that come from facing life’s greatest challenges head-on.
Lucky was a Sunday Times bestseller in the w/b August 9th 2021
Joined by fellow climbers Ben, Beetle, Arron, and their guide Bigraj, Ed faced extreme conditions—treacherous glaciers, near-misses, and snowstorms that prevented the team from summiting. When altitude sickness forced Ben to turn back, Ed made a fateful decision just meters from the top, realising that success wasn’t about reaching the summit but knowing when to stop. As they descended, the true danger revealed itself.
Stranded on the side of the mountain with no shelter, minimal food and water, and fading hope, the team endured a harrowing night, unsure if rescue would ever come. Isolated in the freezing wilderness, they confronted not only the unforgiving elements but their own fears, doubts, and vulnerabilities. With Bigraj’s courageous efforts and a helicopter rescue arriving the next day, the climbers narrowly escaped with their lives.
From the Mountain’s Edge is more than a tale of adventure. It’s a powerful story of resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity, the bonds forged through teamwork, and the courage it takes to recognise when a goal has stopped serving you. As Ed reflects on the perilous journey and the emotional toll it took, this book becomes a profound meditation on the strength it takes to walk away—and the lessons that come from facing life’s greatest challenges head-on.
Lucky was a Sunday Times bestseller in the w/b August 9th 2021
- GenresNonfiction
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 17, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 18, 2025
Following a serious neck injury which left him paralysed, Ed Jackson has defied the odds. Not only to walk again but to climb 'Himlung Himal', one of the Himalayan peaks which stands at just over 7000 feet high. Climbing can be a test of anyone's strength, endurance, & resilience, but especially if the climber has a physical disability. Jackson puts together a small group of climbers, including Ben who had also faced a terrible accident & injury. This particular peak had not been climbed for 2 years since Covid & this account details the journey & the hazards faced including treacherous hidden crevasses, altitude sickness, & sheer exhaustion.
Following Ben's earlier decision to turn back to altitude sickness, Ed also decides to turn around just meters from the top, but the descent can be as risky as the ascent. Unable to get down to one of the camps, the group face a night stranded out in the elements before rescue the next morning. With no shelter, & minimal food & water, all they have is each other & their determination to survive.
This was a really interesting read, both in what the author has overcome & the climb itself. It's written in a friendly accessible style & the reader feels as if they are actually on the journey with the group. In turns heartfelt & inspirational, it stresses the point that success is sometimes knowing when to walk away. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Following Ben's earlier decision to turn back to altitude sickness, Ed also decides to turn around just meters from the top, but the descent can be as risky as the ascent. Unable to get down to one of the camps, the group face a night stranded out in the elements before rescue the next morning. With no shelter, & minimal food & water, all they have is each other & their determination to survive.
This was a really interesting read, both in what the author has overcome & the climb itself. It's written in a friendly accessible style & the reader feels as if they are actually on the journey with the group. In turns heartfelt & inspirational, it stresses the point that success is sometimes knowing when to walk away. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HQ, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
June 17, 2025
I love a good climbing book and this certainly hit the mark!
As a young man, Ed Jackson suffered a serious spinal injury that left him unable to walk. His great determination and inner strength, however, meant that he defied expectations and less than a year later he climbed Mount Snowdon. Spurred on by this, and having founded a charity to support people with similar injuries, this book recounts his expedition to Nepal to climb Himlung Himal.
The fact that Ed has written this book gives away that he survived (!) but it's a gripping read none the less. Beginning with Ed and his fellow climbers just a few hundred metres below the summit, exhausted and without water, shelter or food, we then go back to the start of the trip, discovering the hopes, fears, plans and expectations that each of the team had as they set off. And then we climb along with them, from the foothills of the Annapurna Circuit to the ice fields full of crevasses, to the various camps, to the summit attempt...
I enjoyed Ed's writing style - it was easy to read and felt very natural and 'chatty'; I learnt later that much of this book was put together from journal entries etc. and that certainly fits the style - it's reflective without being pretentious in any way.
Certainly inspired to watch the documentary film now!
Grateful to HQStories, Harper Collins and NetGalley for an e-ARC.
As a young man, Ed Jackson suffered a serious spinal injury that left him unable to walk. His great determination and inner strength, however, meant that he defied expectations and less than a year later he climbed Mount Snowdon. Spurred on by this, and having founded a charity to support people with similar injuries, this book recounts his expedition to Nepal to climb Himlung Himal.
The fact that Ed has written this book gives away that he survived (!) but it's a gripping read none the less. Beginning with Ed and his fellow climbers just a few hundred metres below the summit, exhausted and without water, shelter or food, we then go back to the start of the trip, discovering the hopes, fears, plans and expectations that each of the team had as they set off. And then we climb along with them, from the foothills of the Annapurna Circuit to the ice fields full of crevasses, to the various camps, to the summit attempt...
I enjoyed Ed's writing style - it was easy to read and felt very natural and 'chatty'; I learnt later that much of this book was put together from journal entries etc. and that certainly fits the style - it's reflective without being pretentious in any way.
Certainly inspired to watch the documentary film now!
Grateful to HQStories, Harper Collins and NetGalley for an e-ARC.
April 28, 2026
I'm not scared of death. I'm just scared of not living
Jackson’s From the Mountain’s Edge is part memoir and part adventure/survival story. After a life changing spinal cord injury, Jackson became quadriplegic and the prognosis was grim; he was paralysed from the shoulders down. A year after the accident he climbed Snowdon and discovered a love for mountaineering.
The book follows Jackson and his friends as they attempt to climb Himlung Himal, with two members of the group ,including Jackson, living with disabilities. What should have been a tough but achievable climb became dangerous and potentially life threatening when the weather shifted suddenly. Their guides, Kaji and Shyam, were experienced and knew Himlung Himal well, but they hadn’t been there for two years because tourism had collapsed during Covid, and some of the routes had changed for the worse.
I’m genuinely glad everyone made it back safely, even though it was a close call. And inviting Bigraj to the UK was a great touch.
Jackson comes across as down to earth and very likeable. He writes repeatedly with real respect and appreciation for his Nepalese guides, porters and cook. He also highlights, quite pointedly, how many people now chase Everest purely for clout, often without any experience at all.
Jackson’s From the Mountain’s Edge is part memoir and part adventure/survival story. After a life changing spinal cord injury, Jackson became quadriplegic and the prognosis was grim; he was paralysed from the shoulders down. A year after the accident he climbed Snowdon and discovered a love for mountaineering.
The book follows Jackson and his friends as they attempt to climb Himlung Himal, with two members of the group ,including Jackson, living with disabilities. What should have been a tough but achievable climb became dangerous and potentially life threatening when the weather shifted suddenly. Their guides, Kaji and Shyam, were experienced and knew Himlung Himal well, but they hadn’t been there for two years because tourism had collapsed during Covid, and some of the routes had changed for the worse.
I’m genuinely glad everyone made it back safely, even though it was a close call. And inviting Bigraj to the UK was a great touch.
Jackson comes across as down to earth and very likeable. He writes repeatedly with real respect and appreciation for his Nepalese guides, porters and cook. He also highlights, quite pointedly, how many people now chase Everest purely for clout, often without any experience at all.
July 15, 2025
Well, I judged the book by its cover and I wasn't disappointed.
I was lured in by the word ‘mountain’ attracted by the cover picture and the blurb immediately had me at ‘Nepal’ one of my favourite destinations in the world, but none of this prepared me for such a spellbinding read.
The true story of Ed Jackson and his friends on a mission to summit Himlung is a humbling and inspiring tale you genuinely won’t want to put down. I know because I foolishly started it at 10 p.m. on a ‘school’ night, and at midnight, I was halfway through. The brilliantly descriptive writing immerses you into the sights and sounds of beautiful Nepal, the splendour of the Himalayas, and the highs and despairing lows of the climb.
A real contender for the ‘if you read just one book this year’ award.
I was lured in by the word ‘mountain’ attracted by the cover picture and the blurb immediately had me at ‘Nepal’ one of my favourite destinations in the world, but none of this prepared me for such a spellbinding read.
The true story of Ed Jackson and his friends on a mission to summit Himlung is a humbling and inspiring tale you genuinely won’t want to put down. I know because I foolishly started it at 10 p.m. on a ‘school’ night, and at midnight, I was halfway through. The brilliantly descriptive writing immerses you into the sights and sounds of beautiful Nepal, the splendour of the Himalayas, and the highs and despairing lows of the climb.
A real contender for the ‘if you read just one book this year’ award.
July 11, 2026
Great reading for an armchair traveller like me. I have no desire to traverse glaciers, get cold and dirty hiking up the side of a mountain. But this tale will take you there vicariously - an enjoyable read.
January 24, 2026
An engrossing tale - think the author was extremely fortunate that is appetite for risk did not consume him.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews