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Icefall: The True Story of a Teenager on a Mission to the Top of the World
A suspenseful memoir marked by adventure, hardship, and achievement, Alex Staniforth’s Icefall is the remarkable true story of a teenager’s journey to conquer Mount Everest. Plagued by adversity and epilepsy as a child, Alex developed a determination and will to succeed that would ultimately lead him from his home in Cheshire, England to the face of Everest at only eighteen years old. Though his will to reach the summit was extraordinary, he could have never anticipated the unprecedented dangers and risks that the mountain had in store for him. In this inspirational tale of tragedy and redemption, Alex reveals the universal truth that adversity may be the greatest teacher of all, but nothing can teach you more about life than death.
272 pages, Paperback
Published March 9, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 19, 2016
To me, Icefall is the story of a young man who had the courage not to care what anyone else thought. Avoiding school classes because we were afraid of bullying; traipsing along in the rain on a family holiday feeling like the world is about to end; we've all been there. From adversity comes direction; from chaos comes clarity and focus. I was moved throughout by Alex's warm humour, his ability to bounce back and to recognise that there's no such thing as failure - only learning, adapting and fine turning. It takes a rare 20-year-old to turn a near-death experience into something character-defining.
April 4, 2020
I enjoy reading about adventurers, but never had any attraction to a lot of the Everest literature. I did however enjoy Alex's account as a young person learning about the Himalayas and Nepal so that I could learn with him. The text was simple to follow and quick to read, which it what I wanted on this occasion.
I liked that the book followed his story to 'success', rather than starting at the point of already being fit and confident. I think I would have enjoyed the book even more if I was a teenager or early 20s - that is who I'd most recommend the book too.
I liked that the book followed his story to 'success', rather than starting at the point of already being fit and confident. I think I would have enjoyed the book even more if I was a teenager or early 20s - that is who I'd most recommend the book too.
January 9, 2017
Ordered this book after following Alex's adventures on social media and having been to Nepal several times myself. I couldn't put it down till I'd finished. Great courage and inspiration proving that you can do what you put your mind to, even in the face of adversity. Would definitely recommend it to people wanting adventures of their own who perhaps don't think these things are accessible to them. Alex shows you that it is, I look forward to future adventures !
December 10, 2020
My son chose this as a non-fiction project/assessment for his language arts class and I wanted to read it to know what he was working on. He read it in the required time, I did not.
Anyway, I’d say a solid 3-3.5 stars. Definitely a gripping tale in the later half of the book. At times, and I feel this is the problem with most non-fiction I read that are memoirs, the writing feels choppy and jumpy and at times more like stream of consciousness than something written and edited to bring the readers along in some sort of timeline. I had trouble keeping timelines in perspective.
I will remain ever curious about Alex’s “what next” and wish him the best in living life to the fullest and supporting those in need. Full time fundraising, even for causes you believe in, is not easy. I have fund raised twice for a cause near and dear to me and it is definitely work. Kudos to Alex.
Anyway, I’d say a solid 3-3.5 stars. Definitely a gripping tale in the later half of the book. At times, and I feel this is the problem with most non-fiction I read that are memoirs, the writing feels choppy and jumpy and at times more like stream of consciousness than something written and edited to bring the readers along in some sort of timeline. I had trouble keeping timelines in perspective.
I will remain ever curious about Alex’s “what next” and wish him the best in living life to the fullest and supporting those in need. Full time fundraising, even for causes you believe in, is not easy. I have fund raised twice for a cause near and dear to me and it is definitely work. Kudos to Alex.
February 23, 2020
Must read!
Alex writes with passion & gives an insight to what most of us can only imagine. I couldn't put the book down, he is truly an inspiration to all. Fantastically written! Looking forward to book number 2. Bravo Alex!
Alex writes with passion & gives an insight to what most of us can only imagine. I couldn't put the book down, he is truly an inspiration to all. Fantastically written! Looking forward to book number 2. Bravo Alex!
June 27, 2018
I have the honour of knowing Alex. He is a remarkable young man, who has overcome personal difficulties to achieve so much. This book is a fascinating insight into his trials and amazing achievements. I can’t recommend it highly enough.
January 30, 2021
🌟🌟🌟 💫/ 3.5 stars
September 10, 2016
could not get into this one even though it's a subject I'm really interested in
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews