View From The Summit

by Edmund Hillary

Genres: Adventure

Unknown Binding

About the author

Sir Edmund Percival Hillary KG ONZ KBE was a New Zealand mountaineer, explorer, and philanthropist. On 29 May 1953, Hillary and Nepalese Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers confirmed to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. They were part of the ninth British expedition to Everest, led by John Hunt. From 1985 to 1988 he served as New Zealand's High Commissioner to India and Bangladesh and concurrently as Ambassador to Nepal.

Hillary became interested in mountaineering while in secondary school. He made his first major climb in 1939, reaching the summit of Mount Ollivier. He served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a navigator during World War II. Prior to the Everest expedition, Hillary had been part of the British reconnaissance expedition to the mountain in 1951 as well as an unsuccessful attempt to climb Cho Oyu in 1952. As part of the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition he reached the South Pole overland in 1958. He subsequently reached the North Pole, making him the first person to reach both poles and summit Everest.

Following his ascent of Everest, Hillary devoted himself to assisting the Sherpa people of Nepal through the Himalayan Trust, which he established. His efforts are credited with the construction of many schools and hospitals in Nepal. Hillary had numerous honours conferred upon him, including the Order of the Garter in 1995. Upon his death in 2008, he was given a state funeral in New Zealand.

Reviews

[Natalia Sánchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book is a 3.5 ⭐️ for me. It’s obviously an incredible story and worth reading. However I found some of the long descriptions of the expedition routes and challenges a little tedious. I have never been climbing (nor to Antartica or Everest) and so it meant little to me. I found it very interesting to hear about the logistics, local dynamics and political influences that go into these types of expeditions. I also found the insight into how a man like Edmund must think fascinating. However, I thought although possibly justified, that he was a bit arrogant and took many opportunities to put others down including his son throughout the book. In addition, some interesting developments like the insight into the environmental impact they (and the Swiss climbers before them) had are mentioned but I wish they had been expanded on further.

[Russ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine read. Ed Hillary takes us on his adventures of climbing and getting to the South Pole via tractor and by jet boat up the Ganges. He balances this with reflections on his foundation which aided the Nepali people in their development, his time as ambassador to India, and some personal reflections on his life. It’s a good way to learn about the man other than just knowing he was the first to ascend Everest. A well written and enjoyable read.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly an exceptional man, although he would have denied it. A remarkable life enabled by being the first to summit Everest. I found the reading hard going with very detailed descriptions of the surroundings and the steps taken. Worth reading though.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I great story about adventure and the first everest climb

[Jen Hambling · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a dude